Bose QuietComfort 25 Review | 93 Data compared

The Stereophile review of the Bose QuietComfort 25Go (page 2) highlights a modest, incremental sound improvement over the QC15Go, characterized by balanced neutrality and taut, punchy bass. While the sound offers superior performance to its predecessor, it lacks ultimate resolution and finesse, with a specific, minor deficiency in sub-bass response. Treble reproduction is noted to have an artificial, slightly blurred character, although it avoids sounding harsh or strident. Stereophile.comDespite these minor audio limitations, the QC25 is praised for delivering unmatched, class-leading outside noise isolation, creating an ideal "listening sanctuary" for travel. The reviewer considers the overall package an improvement in every small way, though not necessarily worth a rushed upgrade for existing QC15 users. For new buyers, the combination of superior comfort and exceptional noise attenuation makes it highly recommended.

The TechCrunch review by Darrell Etherington highly praises the Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones as the new king of active noise cancellation. A major pro is the sleek, modern design that folds up into a much smaller, space-saving hardshell travel case compared to the older QC 15 model. The biggest upgrade is that these headphones finally play music even when the AAA battery dies, fixing a major flaw of the past generation. Other great perks include an impressive 35 hours of battery life, a more comfortable top headband for long trips, and a clearer sound with improved midrange and treble tones. However, the review also highlights a few notable cons for buyers to keep in mind. While the headphones can play music without power, the audio quality drops significantly, becoming flat and less alive, and you lose the powerful noise isolation entirely. Additionally, Bose ditched the plush leather finish on the top band, even though it remains on the ear cups. The package also still includes a two-pronged airline adapter that the reviewer notes almost no airlines actually use anymore. Despite...

The Neowin review highlights the Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones for their industry-leading active noise cancellation and exceptionally lightweight, comfortable design, making them ideal for long-term use. The device is praised for its top-notch sound quality, premium build, and effectiveness in eliminating environmental noise, though it comes with a high price tag. Despite the cost, the review strongly recommends the QC25s for their comfort and performance.

The Bose QuietComfort 25 over-ear headphones deliver supreme active noise cancellation and crisp audio quality across the entire frequency range, showing no signs of distortion even at maximum volume. Equipped with microphones on both the inside and outside of the earcups, they effectively block ambient sounds like traffic, air conditioners, and loud office chatter. The headphones offer long-lasting comfort for full-day use, featuring cushioned leather earpieces and a padded headband that distributes pressure evenly. Additionally, they feature a sturdy, durable build and fold down into a compact carrying case equipped with a two-prong airline adapter and a dedicated battery slot. The included 56-inch cable houses a clear microphone and an inline three-button remote for managing tracks on Android and iOS devices. However, the headphones come with several notable drawbacks, starting with a steep retail price of US$300. Instead of integrating a modern USB-rechargeable battery, Bose utilizes a single AAA battery, which provides 35 hours of power but demands frequent replacements for heavy users. When this battery dies, the audio quality in unpowered mode drops significantly, resulting in a less sharp...

In a review for Forbes, Geoffrey Morrison praises the Bose QuietComfort 25 (QC25) for its superior active noise cancellation, which significantly reduces low-frequency cabin noise. Key advantages include its compact design, extreme comfort, and the ability to operate in passive mode if the AAA battery fails. However, the review notes that audio quality is only average and sounds "safe," lacking the depth desired by audiophiles. Furthermore, the passive audio performance is weak, and the relying on a single AAA battery rather than a rechargeable unit is considered a downside.

The Gizmodo review characterizes the Bose QuietComfort 25 (QC25) headphonesGo as a highly reliable, conservative refinement over the older QC15 modelGo rather than a complete overhaul. On the positive side, the headphones feature outstanding active noise cancellation driven by a single proprietary chip, effectively drowning out loud environments like subway platforms. They are praised for their exceptional comfort, featuring a lightweight plastic frame and plush leather earpads suitable for long-haul travel. Crucially, the QC25 introduces a passive audio mode, meaning the headphones will still play music via their standardized 3.5mm-2.5mm cable even if the battery dies. When powered, a single AAA battery delivers a strong battery life of over 30 hours. Additionally, the aesthetic is modernized with a slimmer, straight-arced headband and a clean matte finish. However, the reviewer highlights several notable drawbacks. A prominent construction flaw is that the earpads fall off too easily, having detached accidentally twice during a few weeks of testing, risking loss and an expensive $40 replacement fee. From a technical standpoint, the reliance on an old-fashioned alkaline AAA battery feels regressive in an era...

The Bose QuietComfort 25 (QC25) are wired, over-ear headphones, highly praised by RTINGS.com for their exceptional active noise isolation, particularly against low-frequency ambient sounds, and their comfortable, long-term wearability. While they deliver above-average, neutral sound quality and intuitive controls, they suffer from average build quality, moderate sound leakage, a narrow soundstage, and poor physical stability, according to the RTINGS.com review. Although considered an aging, wired model that relies on a AAA battery, the QC25 remains a top-tier choice for raw noise cancellation on flights or trains, as detailed in the RTINGS.com analysis. RTINGS.

The Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones build successfully on their predecessors, offering superb noise cancellation that effectively eliminates office hubbub, deep vehicle hums, and air conditioning noise. When powered on, they deliver a highly disciplined and well-balanced audio profile, marked by agile bass precision, a smooth midrange rich with instrumental depth, and a remarkably open, sparkling treble. Structurally, they feature an upgraded, streamlined aesthetic that combines a premium cloth-and-suede headband with comfortable, squishy memory foam ear cushions. A major improvement over older generations is their ability to play audio passively when the single AAA battery drains, though doing so sacrifices both the active noise cancellation and internal amplification, leading to a quieter, less detailed sound. The definitive standout advantage of these headphones is their astonishingly powerful noise-cancelling performance, paired seamlessly with clean audio balance and an incredibly comfortable, non-squeezing fit for long commutes. On the downside, they carry a high price tag and heavily rely on plastic for their main build material, despite the added metal and suede accents. Additionally, their balanced presentation can feel a bit overly restrained and analytical...

The CNET review highlights the Bose QuietComfort 25 as an excellent upgrade to its predecessor, the QC15, combining top-tier active noise cancellation with significant design improvements. Among its main pros, the headphones feature a newly engineered folding design with a cast-zinc hinge that allows them to pack into a 30 percent smaller carrying case, enhancing their portability. Comfort remains a major strength thanks to an updated headband that sits closer to the head and luxurious leather ear cushions. Musically, Bose delivers a zippier, brighter, and clearer sound profile with tighter bass compared to the older, warmer model. Crucially, the QC25 addresses a major flaw of previous versions by introducing a passive playback mode, meaning the music will continue to play even if the single AAA battery completely dies. However, the reviewer points out several notable cons that potential buyers should consider. At a retail price of $300 in the US, £270 in the UK, and AU$400 in Australia, the headphones are fairly pricey. While the active noise-canceling circuitry is highly effective at muffling airplane cabin drone, it introduces a noticeable...

In this review from This Life in Trips, author Shaun Robertson shares his experience with the Bose QuietComfort 25 noise-canceling headphones, which he purchased on an impulse buy during a flight layover in Calgary. He highly praises their exceptional active noise cancellation (ANC), noting that flipping the power switch delivers "complete silence" by instantly blocking out the engine roar of a Boeing 767, nearby passenger chatter, and overhead announcements. The review emphasizes how the headphones transformed his travel experience on a 10-hour flight to Frankfurt, making it significantly easier to enjoy movies, listen to music, and sleep. Beyond commercial flights, Robertson highlights their versatility, using them successfully to block out noise in busy coffee shops, during turboprop short-haul flights, and even to silence a snoring roommate. Despite his overall high satisfaction and a strong score of 9.3 out of 10, the author outlines several specific cons and limitations of the device. He notes that the headphones are physically bulky and that their included carrying case takes up valuable space inside a carry-on travel backpack. Additionally, he finds them somewhat uncomfortable...

Alex Rowe’s review on Medium describes the Bose QuietComfort 25 as a, landmark, comfortable, and portable headset featuring exceptional active noise cancellation (ANC), a 35-hour battery life with a single AAA, and balanced audio. While praised for its performance, the QC25 has drawbacks, including a proprietary 2.5mm cable connection, cable variants that restrict functionality across device ecosystems, limited high-frequency noise masking, and poor audio performance when the ANC is turned off.