Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to give my brutally honest Bose QuietComfort Review (newer 2023 model) with comparisons vs QuietComfort Ultra, Sony WH-1000XM5, XM4, Apple AirPods Max, and Beats Studio Pro.
I’m going to do my best to share whether these headphones are worth it, and ideally who these headphones are for. I’ve owned these headphones for a few months now and have quite a few thoughts.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist.
Let’s dive right in!
Bose QuietComfort (2023 Model) Headphones review in short
The Bose QuietComfort (2023 model) is a noticeable improvement on the previous QuietComfort 45 (QC45), and an excellent contender for best overall value in the current wireless noise cancelling headphone landscape. It is un-comfort-ably close to the more expensive flagship Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and is arguably more “fun” to listen to despite being lesser in overall sound quality. With its world-class comfort and noise cancelling, the latest 2023 QuietComfort compares favorably against contenders like Sony WH 1000XM5, WH-1000XM4, Apple AirPods Max, Beats Studio Pro, and Sennheiser Momentum 4.
Bose QuietComfort (New 2023 Model) Pros and Cons
- Fun, excellent sound quality (after EQ)
- Strong noise cancelling performance
- Very comfortable and lightweight
- Excellent value if on sale (or used)
- Less impressive for audiophiles
- Full retail price is less of a value
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Sound Quality
Important Note…
I actually think the Bose QuietComfort 2023 is the best-sounding Bose right out of the box, compared to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and previous-gen QuietComfort 45.
It needs the least amount of EQ to sound its best, and could be enjoyed even without any EQ. I can’t say the same for the other 2 Bose models above, which require rather extreme EQ settings to bring out their full potential.
The stock sound is very bass and treble-forward, just a bit too much to be enjoyed as an audiophile, so my focus was simply balancing out the sound.
That said, the EQ settings I share below take the QuietComfort 2023 to a new level, and we ended up with a sound that is truly an absolute pleasure to listen to. Just pure fun, even more fun than the Bose QC Ultra (despite being lesser in overall sound quality).
The Bose companion app has a customizable EQ that allows us to easily alter the sound. It’s quite limited because it only has 3 bands, but that’s enough to at least make a massive improvement in sound quality.
(The QuietComfort 2023 is not the only headphone that gets massive gains from its EQ, as the QuietComfort Ultra, QC45, and Sony XM5 also badly need EQ to unleash their full potential.)
So with that disclaimer out of the way, I’ll be reviewing the sound quality WITH the following EQ settings. I think this is fair considering EQ is using the official Bose app that is completely free.
Feel free to try this out yourself and hear the difference it makes. Personally, I believe this is how they should’ve been tuned from the factory.
Best Bose QuietComfort (new 2023 model) EQ settings
- Bass: -4
- Mid: 0
- Treble: -3
Result: Still very bass-forward with good slam, just more controlled. Much smoother highs with most sibilance removed and smoothened out. Mids are now much more present and detailed. Overall sound is much better balanced.
Bass
Similar to the previous QC45, I think the bass is the best aspect of the QuietComfort 2023.
Out of the box, the sound is clearly bass-heavy with really fun slam, bass impact, and bass quantity.
Because this is the strongest aspect of the headphones, I EQ’d it down just a bit to keep things controlled and bring out more detail in the Mid/Treble.
Rest assured, even at -4 Bass, its still punchy, in your face, and satisfying slam.
I actually much prefer the bass on the QuietComfort 2023 to the more expensive flagship QC Ultra, the latter of which is more sub-bass focused with not as much slam or upper-bass punch.
Simply put, I think the QuietComfort 2023 is more fun to listen to for modern music than the QC Ultra due to its awesome bass response and characteristics.
Mids
The Mid-range has historically been strong for Bose products due to focusing mostly on Classical, Jazz, and maybe softer Rock music.
Those genres are pretty enjoyable out of the box for most Bose headphones, even without EQ.
But a trend I’ve noticed in more recent Bose headphones is an emphasis on chasing the more consumer-friendly sound signature by boosting the bass and treble.
Unfortunately, I think this is where they went “wrong”, as the stock tuning on these latest headphones has been terrible for modern music. Luckily, even their rudimentary 3-band EQ can make a massive difference.
Anyways, I chose not to touch the Mid on my EQ setting, and instead opt for reducing the Bass and Treble instead.
This was very effective in bringing out the Mids to be more in line with the other frequencies, and it proved that the stock Mids are quite enjoyable and detailed for male vocals and instruments.
They were just hiding underneath the overly-boosted bass and treble.
Treble
In my in-depth review of the previous-generation QC45, I basically roasted the Treble portion which was easily its weakest link.
The QC45 treble is ear-piercingly sibilant, which is a shame because the rest of the sound is quite good, not unlike the QuietComfort 2023 actually.
Thankfully, most of the pesky sibilance is now gone, and the Treble on the newer 2023 QuietComfort is smoother (though not as smooth as the QC Ultra).
I still had to turn down the Treble -3 on my EQ to tune out most of the sibilance, but I’m quite happy with the result. I could never rid the QC45 of all of its sibilance, so it is forever flawed.
Out of the box, these are very treble-forward, and they still are even after EQ.
The treble is “in your face” and fairly detailed, but Treble is easily the weakest aspect of the QuietComfort 2023 compared to the QC Ultra.
Which I’ll expand upon more in the Audiophile section below…
Audiophile: Soundstage, Resolution, Separation, Imaging, Timbre
In some ways the QuietComfort 2023 is a perfect consumer-friendly headphone, but falls a bit short on the more audiophile technicalities.
Listening back-to-back with Bose’s flagship QuietComfort Ultra, the Ultra is clearly more resolving, detailed without sibilance, much better separation, and a bigger soundstage with more depth.
To read online that some people actually think the QuietComfort 2023 has better sound quality than the Ultra reinforces the idea that the QuietComfort 2023 is the more consumer-friendly sound.
But for any audiophiles reading, I believe the Ultra is on another level – especially when it comes to these more nuanced details. To my ears, the difference is crystal clear and not close… *shrug*
That said – I actually do think the QuietComfort 2023 is more outright FUN to listen to than the Ultra, at least for modern music. And this is all due to a more satisfying bass slam. The perfect headphone would have the bass of the QuietComfort 2023, with the audiophile-friendly mids/treble of the Ultras.
Now, I think the QuietComfort 2023 has above average soundstage in this class, where some others can sound quite claustrophobic and flat. But it’s more width than depth.
Another mark against the QuietComfort is that the treble and female vocals especially are lacking in timbre and airiness. Yes, I am subtracting -3 Treble in my EQ, but anything above this introduces a bit of sibilance that would really ruin the sound.
If I were to rank the QuietComfort 2023 against its competition in terms of preference and listening enjoyment (not just pure sound quality):
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (with EQ)
- Apple AirPods Max (stock)
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 (stock)
- Bose QuietComfort 2023 (with EQ)
- Sony WH-1000XM5 (with EQ)
- Bose QuietComfort 45 (with EQ)
- Sony WH-1000XM4 (stock)
Sound Quality Score: 8.4 out of 10 (after EQ)
Comfort
True to its namesake and history, the Bose QuietComfort series has always been insanely light and comfortable to wear for hours on end.
The QuietComfort 2023 carries on this tradition, and is the second lightest headphone tested in its class:
- Bose QuietComfort 45 – 235.4 grams
- Bose QuietComfort (new 2023 model) – 236.1 grams
- Sony WH 1000XM5 – 245.9 grams
- Sony WH 1000XM4 – 251.6 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra – 254.4 grams
- Beats Studio Pro – 268.6 grams
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 292.9 grams
- Apple AirPods Max – 387.8 grams
As you can see, the QuietComfort 2023 is less than 1 gram heavier than the previous-gen QC45, an imperceptible difference really.
The QuietComfort 2023 feels (and looks) pretty much identical to the QC45, extremely comfortable and lightweight.
I’m torn because I truly want to give these a perfect score when it comes to comfort, but when I try them back-to-back with the QC Ultra or Sony XM5, I can’t help but slightly feel the headband.
It’s really not offensive, but it’s simply not as plush / unnoticeable as the Ultra or XM5. Pressing on the headband material supports this, as it doesn’t have as much give as the Ultra.
On the other hand, clamping force is perfectly fine, along with plush-enough earpads.
In a vacuum, the QuietComfort 2023 is perfectly comfortable, but the Ultra/XM5 shows us a higher limit to comfort levels.
Comfort Score: 4.5 out of 5
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling
Features
The Bose “QuietComfort” (why?) officially replaced the previous-generation QC45 in September 2023.
There’s also the “big brother” flagship QuietComfort Ultra that came out shortly after in October 2023.
The QuietComfort 2023 has most of the important modern features like customizable Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency modes, “Immersive Audio” (Bose’s Spatial Audio implementation), USB-C charging port, multiple built-in microphones for calls, and customizable EQ with companion app.
Nearly identical to the QC45, these also fold neatly and come with a nice, very compact hardshell case. It’s clear that Bose designs their headphones and cases for frequent travelers and commuters who need to maximize bag space. I personally love this aspect.
Build Quality
Pretty identical to the previous QC45, the QuietComfort 2023 build quality is very solid throughout, with lots of metal underneath the plastic exterior of both the headband and hinges.
These headphones just feel very sturdy when handling.
One small caveat here is that the area around where the hinges swivel is kind of sharp and has very little clearance, so my fingers can get a little stuck/poked by this area when handling.
Also can I make a small note of appreciation for this gorgeous Cypress Green colorway?
Absolutely gorgeous, I think Bose’s styling is top-notch for the QuietComfort 2023’s various colors, and even just plain black looks so good.
Bose QuietComfort (new 2023) Battery Life
The Bose QuietComfort 2023 is rated at 24 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is about average overall. This is 2 hours longer than the previous-gen QC45.
In my testing, I actually found the battery life to be mostly accurate, needing to charge 1-2 times per week depending on daily usage.
There are more impressive headphones when it comes to battery life, like the 60 hour Sennheiser Momentum 4, or 30 hour Sony WH-1000XM5.
Bose QuietComfort (new 2023 model) Noise Cancelling Performance
Noise cancelling is Bose’s bread-and-butter, and I find the QuietComfort 2023 to perform near equal to the QC Ultra.
Like the QC45 and QC Ultra, the QuietComfort 2023 allows you to customize 11 levels between noise cancelling and Transparency Mode.
The new addition versus the QC45 is the “Wind Block” mode that will filter out wind more effectively, very useful outside in windy conditions.
On its quietest setting, the QuietComfort 2023 is very effective at reducing outside noise, even on airplane travel with jet engine noises in the background.
For less noisy environments, I find that even halfway between noise cancelling and ambient noise can shut out the outside world with music playing.
My only wish is that the Bose app should allow you to fully turn OFF both noise cancelling and transparency modes, just like Sony and Apple offer.
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling Score: 5 out of 5
Value
Currently retailing at $349, the Bose QuietComfort 2023 is not cheap by any means.
At full price, the only more expensive headphones would be the flagship QC Ultra, Sony WH-1000XM5, and Apple AirPods Max. (This isn’t including the more niche brands like Focal and Bowers & Wilkins.)
Even at full price, I think the QuietComfort 2023 is an extremely-appealing overall package, as it is a noticeable improvement over an already quite-good QC45.
Dollar-for-dollar, the QuietComfort 2023 is a better value than any of the above on account of being not only cheaper, but very competitive in any category.
Where things get exciting is if you can find the QuietComfort on sale for ~$250 new, or renewed for around ~$200-250.
At those prices, only the Sennheiser Momentum 4 could hope to compete on value-per-dollar.
Value Score: 4.5 out of 5
Are the Bose QuietComfort (2023) Headphones Worth it?
Simply put, the Bose QuietComfort 2023 is one of the most complete packages in wireless noise cancelling headphones today, and is worth every penny in my book. It improves significantly upon the previous QC45’s biggest weakness, which was its sound quality, and is the best-sounding Bose headphone from the factory (before EQ). It is identical to the QC45 when it comes to Comfort and Style, which are near-perfect anyways.
I honestly would pay full retail price for these and not feel any buyer’s remorse knowing that this is truly a solid overall value with minimal flaws. Even if the more expensive QC Ultra has better audiophile-level sound quality and *very* slightly better comfort, these are more fun to listen to and I could live in blissful ignorance.
If you can find them for cheaper than retail (or renewed), that value-per-dollar goes through the roof and we have a real winner here.
Bose QuietComfort 2023 Alternatives
Some very strong alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones and price range are the Sony WH-1000XM4, Beats Studio Pro, and Sennheiser Momentum 4.
And if you’re willing to spend more, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sony WH-1000XM5, and Apple AirPods Max are all worth a look.
I recommend you check those out next!
Lastly, if you’d like to save some money and keep supporting RecordingNOW.com’s 100% independent, unbiased reviews, do consider using some of our affiliate links below to shop and even just compare prices. We purchase all products we review with our own money to maintain the highest level of integrity, and your support goes into that, plus a continuously improving site experience.
Overall Scoring Breakdown
Sound Quality: 8.4 / 10 (after EQ)
Comfort: 4.5 / 5
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 5 / 5
Value: 4.5 / 5
Total: 22.4 / 25
Order the LATEST VERSION for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Want to save up to an additional $100?
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
FAQ
What is the difference between Bose QuietComfort and Ultra?
Bose QuietComfort 2023 is considered the “standard” line of Bose’s noise cancelling headphones, while the QuietComfort Ultra is the more expensive, upgraded flagship model.
Can you answer calls with Bose QuietComfort?
Yes, the Bose QuietComfort headphones has multiple built-in microphones for hands-free calling.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase all of the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment. Noise cancelling performance is tested in the real-world, primarily on airplane flights, coffee shops, and walking around large metropolitan city environments.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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