

Sony WH-1000XM5
1 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
Expected more from comfort
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Bose was ahead of the curve with these headphones, but there are newer options nowadays.
At 7.3, its noise cancelling beats 13% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 63 of the 244 we've cataloged.
No one has reported on this one yet.
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Be the first owner to write in — three answers, four quick reads, shown under a pseudonym.
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 159 of 244 we've cataloged.
Micro usb appears on 9% of the 139 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 244).
4.1 appears on 3% of the 152 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 244).
Bluetooth is the most common — on 43% of the 252 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 244).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 9.7 |
| 25 | 7.8 |
| 32 | 5.9 |
| 40 | 5.1 |
| 50 | 4.4 |
| 63 | 3.7 |
| 80 | 3.3 |
| 100 | 2.6 |
| 125 | 1.8 |
| 160 | 0.9 |
| 200 | 0.5 |
| 250 | 0.0 |
| 315 | -0.6 |
| 400 | -1.1 |
| 500 | -1.1 |
| 630 | -0.7 |
| 800 | -0.1 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | -0.7 |
| 1600 | 1.6 |
| 2000 | 9.3 |
| 2500 | 12.9 |
| 3150 | 13.3 |
| 4000 | 11.6 |
| 5000 | 7.5 |
| 6300 | 6.3 |
| 8000 | 4.1 |
| 10000 | 2.9 |
| 12500 | 2.8 |
| 16000 | -4.3 |
| 20000 | -24.7 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 3.1 |
| 26 | 3.7 |
| 33 | -1.1 |
| 41 | -0.4 |
| 52 | -0.9 |
| 65 | -0.9 |
| 82 | -2.1 |
| 103 | -3.1 |
| 130 | -5.4 |
| 163 | -5.3 |
| 205 | -4.5 |
| 259 | 0.7 |
| 325 | 5.9 |
| 410 | 6.5 |
| 516 | 8.8 |
| 613 | 10.5 |
| 772 | 12.2 |
| 972 | 14.9 |
| 1220 | 17.5 |
| 1540 | 18.2 |
| 1940 | 19.1 |
| 2440 | 25.1 |
| 3070 | 24.0 |
| 3870 | 37.1 |
| 4870 | 37.2 |
| 6130 | 34.3 |
| 7720 | 32.4 |
| 9720 | 28.0 |
| 12200 | 27.7 |
| 15400 | 32.9 |
| 19400 | 25.3 |
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -6.5 |
| 26 | -0.4 |
| 33 | 6.6 |
| 41 | 9.8 |
| 52 | 13.4 |
| 65 | 11.9 |
| 82 | 15.0 |
| 103 | 19.0 |
| 130 | 15.7 |
| 163 | 19.8 |
| 205 | 22.9 |
| 259 | 25.9 |
| 325 | 27.3 |
| 410 | 23.6 |
| 516 | 24.1 |
| 613 | 23.3 |
| 772 | 20.5 |
| 972 | 16.5 |
| 1220 | 14.0 |
| 1540 | 15.3 |
| 1940 | 14.6 |
| 2440 | 20.3 |
| 3070 | 21.1 |
| 3870 | 31.0 |
| 4870 | 36.4 |
| 6130 | 35.2 |
| 7720 | 33.9 |
| 9720 | 27.4 |
| 12200 | 27.3 |
| 15400 | 32.8 |
| 19400 | 25.2 |
The verdict
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II have some of the best noise canceling in the business, and they're regarded as one of the most comfortable headsets around. With a great default frequency response, travel-friendly design, and solid mic system, there's plenty to love about the QC 35 II.
✓Liked: Comfortable, Wired audio, Customizable controls, Excellent ANC
✕Could be better: SBC and AAC only, no aptX, No software EQ
Nobody who owns the Bose QuietComfort 35 (2nd gen) has written in yet.
Owner reviews are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not rewritten by us: at most we proofread typos, which is shown on the review’s own page and which the author can undo. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from owner reviews.
Own the Bose QuietComfort 35 (2nd gen)?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.
What readers ask about the Bose QuietComfort 35 (2nd gen), answered by the people who own it.
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Ask the first question →Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.


1 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
Expected more from comfort


1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort





0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort


0 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · 2 photo-verified
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations

