Overall Score 8.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Sony WF 1000XM4 | Bose QuietComfort 2 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 7.1g | 12.5g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
wingtips included | ✗ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 6mm | 9.3mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 40,000Hz | 20,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 105dB/mW | ✗ | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 16hours | 18hours | |
charge time | 1.5hours | 2hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✗ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.3 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✓ | ✗ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✗ | ✓ | |
has aptx hd | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 4only | 8only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✓ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 2only | 2only | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings is the rank of protection given by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Scoring IPX4, the Bose QuietComfort 2's rating is read as, the first number of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second number of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. Compared to the Bose QuietComfort 2, Sony WF 1000XM4 have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
The Bose QuietComfort 2 have a weight of 12.5g . We take in account a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are easier to carry.
Sony WF 1000XM4, at 7.1g are lighter than the Bose QuietComfort 2 by -5.4g True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Bose QuietComfort 2 are true wireless for this case since they have no wires. This is a major distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds . Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless because it has no cables connecting the two earbuds . The Bose QuietComfort 2 come with wingtips, these are commonly used for workout earbuds and are usually an optional add-on to the separate silicone ear tip for a better fit. Bose QuietComfort 2 have sweat resistance Sony WF 1000XM4's resistance to sweat makes both devices ideal for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc Bose QuietComfort 2 have stereo speakers, what this means is that Bose QuietComfort 2's speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both Sony WF 1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort 2 have stereo speakers ANC utilises advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and after generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (inverted noise) giving 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.
Bose QuietComfort 2 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for plane rides and rush hour travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your travel or that enhances your relaxation time.
Bose QuietComfort 2 sit well in place, this creates an acoustic covering that tones down your environment sounds while preventing the device voice audio from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both reduce ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out. Bose QuietComfort 2 driver unit is 9.3mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass.
A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds. Sony WF 1000XM4 driver unit is 6mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 3.3mm
, a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound.
The Bose QuietComfort 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio component produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sony WF 1000XM4's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that both devices can produce equal bass The Bose QuietComfort 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device makes high human frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through. Sony WF 1000XM4's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that Sony WF 1000XM4 can produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Bose QuietComfort 2 Bose QuietComfort 2's battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge.
A device's battery life is commonly given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Sony WF 1000XM4's battery life is more than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 2 hours . Every time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
This is given by the manufacturer, and Bose QuietComfort 2's case has a charge of 18 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before recharging the case itself. Sony WF 1000XM4's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours, less than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 2 hours It requires 2 hours to fully charge the Bose QuietComfort 2's battery.
It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds for the first time. Sony WF 1000XM4 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 0.5 hours The Bose QuietComfort 2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. The battery indicator lights display the charging state of your device and charging case.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you to tell the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low. The Bose QuietComfort 2 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable. Sony WF 1000XM4 too support USB TYPE-C.
This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets. The Bose QuietComfort 2 have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony WF 1000XM4 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, older than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The Bose QuietComfort 2 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. Sony WF 1000XM4 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Bose QuietComfort 2 Bose QuietComfort 2 support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps.
Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Bose QuietComfort 2 will work fine with your iPad. If you intend on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate. The Bose QuietComfort 2 support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm.
It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps). Bose QuietComfort 2 have 8 microphones. Sony WF 1000XM4 microphones are 4, less than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 4 . More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds. Bose QuietComfort 2 have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background sounds from the desired sound.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy environments. The Bose QuietComfort 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient sound to still be heard even while wearing the earbuds The Sony WF 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of your surrounding, say you’re having a run but still want to be able to hear traffic.
The Bose QuietComfort 2 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused. Sony WF 1000XM4 too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience. When misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Bose QuietComfort 2 have a find earbuds feature.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the earbuds app on your smartphone to play an alarm from your device to locate them. The Bose QuietComfort 2 support fast charging.
Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the time it takes to charge the earbuds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, just that the battery fills up much faster.
For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes. Bose QuietComfort 2 support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Sony WF 1000XM4 have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Bose QuietComfort 2 . Bluetooth multipoint is useful because you can be on one call without missing notifications from another device. Bose QuietComfort 2 have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 also support the mute function.
It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk. The Bose QuietComfort 2, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. Sony WF 1000XM4 also have a control panel on them.
Bose QuietComfort 2 support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. The Sony WF 1000XM4 also support voice prompts .i.e the earbuds will notify you if the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge them.
Bose QuietComfort 2 come with their own special pouch. Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them inside your bag without a cover can easily damage them. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.