Usually in-ear headphones; Models with noise-canceling system are very uncomfortable. But the Bose QuietComfort 20i refutes this prejudice and reduces the ambient noise. This indeed very great!
With its unique silicone fitting pieces Bose QC20i sit very comfortably in the ear cups.
But Bose requires 300 Euros for its QC20i. For this price tag, the American manufacturer also offers a lot. The comfort is excellent, for example, unlike conventional ear headphones, the Bose plugs are not pressed deep into the ear canals. Instead, they lie outside the ear, much like the classic iPod or iPhone headphones.
Thanks to special silicone mold they sit soft and precisely fit in the ears. A small nozzle directs the bass safely towards the ear canal, rather than to let slip away to the side, like in the old iPod earphones. Small silicone sheets keep the Bose headphones in the ears.
In a hands-free microphone cable with answer key is included. Class: Bose offers two variants - the QC20 is suitable for smart phones with Android, BlackBerry and Windows operating system, QC20i specifically for the iPhone which has additional volume control buttons on the hands free microphone.
The electronics box behind controls the excellent noise reduction.
Further down the cable, just before the connector, dangles a small flat electronic box about five millimeters thick. Two tiny microphones in each of the two earplugs register any sounds that do not belong to the current music. The electronics to calculate exactly opposite vibrations and passes them through the headphones again. Noise and counter- noise cancel each other out, the music remains. Or when the Smartphone pauses heavenly peace. The effect of noise reduction is amazing and almost ghostly.
Whether calls from sitting next heavy traffic noise or droning turbines: The Bose filters everything away. If that is too hard, switch to the “Attention" mode. Then the effect is similar to other noise-canceling models, leaving Language audible. So you do not miss announcements in the train station or airport.
Firmly built into the box in the test battery lasted about 16 hours. The noise reduction was reflected by a slight noise floor. You hear it but only in a very quiet environment. Other side effects such as fluctuating volume were not audible.
The maximum volume is more than sufficient to standard Smartphones, distortions do not make their presence felt. The Bose works even the noise-canceling.
The sound quality from the Bose convinced compared with Sony XBA -3 which reveals more detail in the music and hear sounds clearer, but will be without noise reduction. Here is as “real" in-ear model and uncomfortable in the long run not for everyone. The sound of the Bose contrast appears warmer and softer, but less detailed. The bass is full and clean at the listener, because booms that deafened nothing. Thus, the Bose is pleasant and unobtrusive even on long journeys. And very important: he voices are again pure and natural.
