There’s also no instant-mute feature like on the Sony WH-1000XM2 where you can put your palm over an earcup to hear what’s going on around you. The Bose QC35 II shows why the company is so popular amongst travelers with class-leading noise cancellation and balanced sound. The Razer Opus Wireless 2020 and the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are both good over-ear headphones for most uses.

The Bose are one of the most comfortable headphones we’ve reviewed so far, their ANC feature blocks an impressive amount of ambient noise, and they have a very well-balanced sound profile. The Bose NCH 700 does a slightly better job of blocking out noise across the frequency spectrum because it has better passive isolation than the QC 35 II. They're also a lot more comfortable to wear for long listening sessions and have a more balanced sound profile than the Sennheisers.

This may be a deal-breaker for some, but an advantage for others since you don't have to charge them. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is considered one of the most comfortable pairs of headphones on the market, and for good reason.

Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required as is 20 years of participation in forums (not all true). The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are different types of headphones that serve different purposes.Both headphones have a neutral sound profile, but the AKG have an EQ in their compatible app to customize the sound to your liking, which the Bose lacks. The Bose are more comfortable, a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and a slightly better noise isolation performance. Whether you’re at the airport or the library, you can also choose just how much you want to hear (or not hear) by adjusting the level of noise cancellation. The Bose have a comfier fit, deliver a better-balanced listening experience out-the-box, and block out far more ambient noise. Switching on noise cancellation is like walking into a quiet room after being on a busy city street.

The plastic build does help the QC35 II NC in terms of comfort and we were impressed by just how comfortable the headphone was to use for extended periods. On the other hand, the Sony are a lot more customizable than the Bose as their companion app gives you access to a graphic EQ, noise cancelling options and optimization, an in-app player, room effects, and codec options. They may not be the most detailed or exciting-sounding headphones but they will sound great to most listeners. So first things first, nothing with the sound quality has changed significantly when compared to the first version.The hi-hats and cymbals in Billy Joel’s Zanzibar sound a little “flat” and don’t really have that exhilarating effect that I know them to have.