Bose - QuietControl 30 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones - Black

As a frequent traveler, I've been longing for a pair of wireless headphones that are compact, lightweight, and have noise-cancelling abilities. I love my Bose QC35 over-the-ear headphones, but they are sometimes a bit bulky to throw into a carry-on bag. I had high expectations for Bose's latest entry into its noise-cancelling lineup: these QuietControl 30 (QC30) wireless headphones, which, as far as I know, are the first in-ear headphones with both Bluetooth and adjustable noise-cancellation. After a week of traveling with and using the QC30s, I find myself torn between these and my trusty QC35s. Here are my impressions: OVERVIEW: - Setup is incredibly simple, especially if you download the Bose Connect app to your smartphone. Simply turn on the headphones, enable Bluetooth on your device, and complete the pairing process. You will hear a voice from the headphones confirm that pairing was successful. - In-line volume, function, and noise-cancellation controls are included on the right cord. You can easily move between songs, pause playback, or even enable Siri with the function button. You can also control all of this through the Bose Connect app. - The QC30s have a horseshoe-shaped plastic band that sits on your neck while in use. My thoughts on this below. PROS: - Nice battery life. Bose claims that a single charge will power the headphones for 10 hours, and that seems accurate to me. However, larger headphones (particularly the QC35s) deliver twice the battery life, so 10 hours seems modest at best. - Nice wireless range. I don't lose connection to my iPhone until I'm almost 40 feet from it. Range should be more than adequate for anyone. - Effective control of noise-cancellation. There are about 12 levels of noise-cancellation to choose from. With it set to the highest level, voices in a coffee shop or other busy areas are essentially indistinguishable. - Great sound performance. Not as good as the over-the-ear QC35s, but there is a good amount of bass and plenty of separation between highs and lows. CONS: - The headphones are lightweight, but I find the neck band very awkward and cumbersome. You might not notice it at first, but after a few hours of use and moving your neck, you'll know it's there. It's not that it's heavy -- it's that it rubs against your skin very easily (unless you're wearing a collared shirt). Furthermore, the cords frequently rub against my cheek when I turn my head. The ear buds simply dangle down your chest when not in your ears. - Because these are in-ear headphones, the noise cancellation doesn't seem nearly as effective as the QC35s. Because of this open design, ambient sound seems to leak into your ears rather easily. On an airplane, even with the the noise cancellation turned all the way up, I could hear much more engine noise compared to the QC35s. These are still 100 times better on an airplane than standard headphones, just not as good as over-the-ear noise cancelling designs. - Using the in-line remote with the headphones in your ears is awkward. The noise cancellation adjustment buttons are so small that I have to work my thumb around for several seconds before I'm sure I'm pressing the right button. OVERALL: I had a hard time trying to determine the intended demographic for these headphones. The QuietControl 30 headphones feature effective noise cancellation and a lightweight design, but I personally can't use them for more than a couple of hours at a time before the neck band and dangling cords start to annoy me. The noise cancellation works well to reduce crowd noise and soft ambient sounds, but it's not nearly as effective as the QC35s. On the other hand, these might be non-issues for other people. The neck band will fit everyone differently, and the noise cancellation should be adequate for many people. That being said, I would recommend trying these on at a store before committing to a purchase. For me, the better noise cancellation, battery life, and overall performance of the QC35s will continue to make those my go-to headphones for traveling. The QC30s will be great for desk work, coffee shops, and office settings.

I've never really been a big fan of the LG-birthed design for wireless headphones that included the horse collar apparatus. That being said, these headphones are yet another homerun from Bose - joining the wired, over-the-ear ones I currently use. First off, the collar was less obtrusive than I had initially suspected it would be. The ear buds include a small, medium and large size to ensure the best fit. I was a little dismayed at having to put yet another app on my phone, but I'm so glad I did. As you can see from my pictures, this thing does a phenomenal job at eliminating noise - and you can adjust it based on your needs. One of my biggest pet peeves with wired ear bud sets is that I end up popping one of them out as I turn my head - not so with this one! Pros: ------- • Lightweight and comfortable • Awesome noise reduction • Sound output rivals wired headsets in quality • Great for long conference calls when my 6 year old is playing "police siren" in the house Haven't really found any cons yet - I will update my review if I find any. For now, do yourself a favor and pick up these guys! The price isn't any worse than you'd pay for a pair of Beats and, quite frankly, Bose knows audio better.

After doing a lot of research, I elected to buy these because 1) they're wireless and 2) they're noise canceling. Being that they were BOSE, I elected not to get the Best Buy Warranty. I've known that BOSE provides great product support and warranty replacement for some time. What an epic mistake that was! For the first month or so, I was very pleased with the product. Then things started going down hill. The rubberized coating that covers the electronics started to get stretched out around the power button. Soon, the entire covering started coming apart at the seems. The coating on the other side started coming apart as well, so it seems they did not choose a good material for covering these. Eventually, it stretched out so much that I couldn't turn the power on/off. I was past the return date for Best Buy, so I checked with BOSE and they provide NO WARRANTY for any product that isn't purchased directly from them. So now I had a $300 paperweight! Ugh... Seeing I had no ability to return them and BOSE wasn't going to do anything about them, I figured I'd try and I was able to pull the rubber coating back far enough that I could reach the underlying power button, so for a few weeks, I used them in that capacity. Within a few weeks of that, I started hearing static and popping in the left speaker. Initially, it got better if I wiggled the cord, so I assume there was an issue with the wires or their connection. Eventually, wiggling the cord didn't work any longer, so they became completely unusable. I got to use these for approximately 2.5 months before they became completely unusable. I have since searched online and found a very long thread on the BOSE community web site where numerous people have reported this same issue as far back as 2017. BOSE is aware of the issue, yet they are still allowing this product to be sold. It should have been pulled off the shelves long ago. SMH... I won't be trusting the BOSE name anymore. I can't post a link to the BOSE community discussion around this issue, but if you search Google for "Rubber-Cover-on-QuietControl-30", you will find it.

Grabbed these back when they first dropped and true wireless was not as good then to go as an all day driver but when they messed up I took back and got some true wireless buds. At first the true wireless were good but if you wear all day it gets rather stressful on your ears but I love these cause the weight is not on your ears and they a plus cause you can just drop and the wire holds safe, no worries of dropping or losing. I wear all day at work which is great as they also work as ear muffs with noise cancellation, so knocks out one less item to add to work cart. Highly recommend these. There is a chance of the rubber body falling apart as my first set did but it worth the risk. Sound is amazing too with that Bose sound, tho I am a fan of the Master and Dynamic sounds these are a close enough soundstage to not miss them that much. Woulda been nice to have some haptic feature as sometimes I get calls but miss as I don’t hear my phone and buds are out of my ear. Still a great set which I do prefer.

I received this product in return for a review. The Bose QuietControl 30 is a pair of around-the-neck style wireless headphones. The headphone cables are attached to the plastic neckband that contains the battery and wireless components. The band is flexible and fit around my next with ease. The rubber in ear pieces also fit in my ears very snugly. They are equivalent to the fit and comfort of the ear pieces from the QC 20, just black instead of white. Setup Out of the box, it was a very easy process to begin using these headphones. The power button is on the inside of the neck band and surrounded by indicator lights. I use an iPhone, and the setup for these was the same as any other Bluetooth audio device (Settings->Bluetooth). After powering them on as per the instructions, I was able to pair them to my phone. After the headphones connected, I was instructed to download the Bose Connect app for additional control features. Once I did that, I was able to rename my headset and enable full control of the noise cancelling and volume adjustment features. Use I put these headphones to use in a few different settings. When I first got them, I wore them around the house.Not a particularly rigorous test, but I wanted to gauge the noise cancelling adjustment feature. Without playing any audio, the noise cancelling is pretty good on full power. Most background noises, like the sound of air blowing out of the vents and the hum of the water pump on my fish tank disappeared. However, if someone walked up next to you and spoke or otherwise made a noise, you'd be able to hear a quiet version of it. Not surprising for earbuds. When you start playing music, the sound virtually disappears. The feature that makes noise cancelling headphones so nice is that you don't have to crank up the volume to 100% to drown out your surroundings. You can listen to the volume on a moderate level with the same effect. At 50-60% volume and full noise cancelling, it becomes difficult to hear your surroundings as expected. Additionally, I took them to the gym to shoot around on the basketball court. Overall, my experience was pretty good with these. I don't often wear headphones while on the basketball court, but these performed admirably. There were a few minor things I could note. Every once in a while, the sound would briefly (less than a second) drop out when I was taking a jump shot. I'm right handed, and the power button is on the inside right side of the neck band, so it is possible I was bumping the button with my shoulder. Either that, or the wireless transmitter was being blocked by my arm. I couldn't replicate it by just raising my arms and it wasn't every time. Also, on occasion, the neckband would rotate on my neck. Since it is connected to the earbuds by wires, it can only rotate about a quarter of a turn, so it's not that bad. These would probably be better suited to running or weight-lifting, but I was impressed with the sound here as well. My final and main use for these was at work. I work in an open office plan near a hallway, so I see a lot of traffic walking by, phones ringing, impromptu meetings and general conversation. It's nice to be able to block that all out, and these headphones help with just that. The performance is on par with my QC20 wired headphones as far as noise cancelling goes. One thing to note about the noise cancelling on these compared to other headphones. It's fully adjustable. The QC20s and others simply have an on and off switch or button. These have a scale of cancellation. There are control buttons on the right cable and a slider in the app. Sometimes, you want to just cancel out most of the noise. You want to hear your desk phone or someone calling your name for instance. You can tune down the noise cancelling to an acceptable level in that case. The response was instantaneous and impressive. Battery Life The battery life is pretty nice on these. It's rated at 10 hours. It took about a week of use before I had to charge them. There are audio cues when the battery is low and the app shows you the percentage. I charged them (comes with a short USB cable) over lunch, and they were done charging shortly after. Conclusion Bose is known for their audio technology and noise cancelling, and these headphones are no exception. They are portable, easy to use and powerful. The big pros that I have seen about these are inherent to the wireless capabilities. There have been a few times with wired headphones where I've attempted to move away from my stationary phone and reached the end of the cable abruptly. You don't have to manage cables with these. You can easily remove the headphones and let them dangle from neck band to listen to someone. Also, being able to remove the headband and set it down without having to move a cable as well just makes them that much more convenient. I will continue to use these and would recommend them to anyone looking for wireless noise cancelling headphones.

I enjoy listening to a variety of music genres during my daily routine. So, I was very anxious to try-out this complimentary set of Bose' new Quietcontrol 30, wireless ear pieces over playing music through regular sound speakers, which anyone in my vicinity could hear. I was hoping that these ear pieces would allow me to enjoy my own preferences of music without ever annoying or bothering any of my family members or friends. My first impression of the QC30 made me very skeptical at first. The ear pieces looked flimsy and lame. However, after fifteen minutes I discovered that the QC30 is pretty uncomplicated, lightweight, super-practical, and a technological marvel for sound reproduction and variable noise suppression. The winged ear pieces require a little practice to properly set them in your ears. I found that twisting each bud back and forth, gently, after you place them in your ears, helps immensely to set them right. The QC30s include three sizes of Bose’s silicon tips along with ear lobe wings, which sort of customizes your fit. Once you get the knack of putting the the winged ear pieces in your ears, they fit securely and comfortably as designed. The QC 30's have a wire running between both attached ear pieces to a lightweight, horseshoe-shaped plastic band, which fits rather comfortably around your neck. The wire connecting the right-hand ear piece also contains the volume and Adjustable Noise Canceling Control (ANC). The lightweight neckband contains the battery and in-line remote. Simple buttons that are on the in-line remote include music volume, play/pause, answer/end calls, and variable noise control and Bluetooth pairing mode along with the mini-USB charging port. The QC30 has up to 10 hours of battery life from a recharge, which can take up to two hours to complete. The charging wire is included in the set along with a handy, hard backed carrying case. It is very simple to pair the QC30 with any other Bluetooth devices. It even remembers which ones you have paired in the app so you can choose using the Bose Connect app. NFC also is included for easier pairing to NFC-equipped Android devices You can download the Bose Connect app from Google or Apple, depending on your device, which will allow you to control the volume and, or, noise cancellation from your phone or tablet device. For convenience you also have the remote, in-line control on the attached wire of the right hand ear piece to raise or lower the volume of listening and, or, the amazing variable, noise cancellation feature. It is noteworthy to mention that there are actually twelve levels of adjustment for noise cancellation, however, these ear pieces are engineered for 'active' situations as you can move freely about while wearing them. I found that the 'bottom-level' does allow a minute amount of sound to 'leak' through from your immediate environment, I believe, for safety reasons. You can always adjust them to your particular preferences, accordingly. The variable noise canceling adjustment is an spectacular concept. The QC30 also has dual mike pickups (actually six mikes), which allows you to speak to your 'voice assistant', Siri or Google, to place and receive calls, 'hands-free'. Together with the appropriate noise cancellation feature you can actually hear your own voice so as not to be too loud when speaking. Also in the app settings you can activate voice assistance, which will announce battery level, phone calls, etc. Great feature. The sound quality is both surprising and expected from what is produced by Bose Corporation. After all, Bose Corporation has been a world leader in audio equipment for over five decades, and, the Bose Quietcontrol 30 was well designed and engineered for unequaled quality in its class. I love this Bose QC30 unit, and, will use these ear pieces as much as I can since they allow me to 'roam' around my house unimpeded and 'hands-free'. When I put in these ear pieces and select a Pandora radio station, I am whisked to another world of dynamic, clear and brilliant, enveloping sound. The bass is not overwhelming, nor the treble too tinny. This unit is an engineering wonder that does not need any equalizer settings to enhance its masterful reproduction of sound. I have actually heard audio from live performances, like subtle audience sounds and noises, even rain drops falling, that I could not here on my several thousand dollar, home, receiver/entertainment system. The Bose Quietcontrol 30 is my newest 'best-friend'. If you are into listening to impeccable sound reproduction, and, want the freedom to move around your house, and, or, work 'hands-free', then the price of this unit is a bargain, that is, if you only want the 'best'! I highly recommend the purchase of this Bose Quietcontrol 30. It would make an excellent Christmas gift for that 'special-person' on your list, or discriminating family member or friend.

What I like: -As with almost any Bose product, sound quality is exceptional. -Ear bud comfort is as comfortable as I have had. -Battery life was 10+ hours, very acceptable. Here are my issues with the device: -As a larger person, 6'4" 210 lbs, the neck band is uncomfortable to me and my 17" neck. It is too rigid, it needs to be more flexible. -Controls are cramped. The volume/audio controls are on one edge of the right ear cable. The noise cancelling controls are on the side of the same switch box. (See picture) -Power and charging are on the neck band, the power button is hard to locate by feel. The charging port is also very hard to find. While I have it listed as a like, with the battery located in the neck band, I would expect this headset to have a longer battery life than something like the Bose Sound Sports. Its battery life is very similar to my SS. I am still pleased with the headset. I use it at work while sitting at a desk. The neck band rotates on me at times and just feels uncomfortable. If I turn my head to the side, the neckband rotates with my head turn, but stays in the rotated position when I turn my head back again. I have had other headsets with a neck band design that stayed in place better than these do for me. Your mileage may and will likely vary. Personally I would not use these during a workout. An absolute must, install the Bose Connect app from the App Store, Google Play or wherever you find it with your device. The app will allow you to connect the headset to multiple devices and switch between devices. The app will also allow you to adjust the noise cancelling with a visual representation of how you have it set. The App is priceless and a must have, especially if you have multiple headsets or devices you connect to. Overall, this is a very well made headset with some comfort issues for those of us of a larger size. I would highly recommend it on sound quality alone. I would recommend trying a set on before buying if you are an XL or larger person.

Amazing sound out of these little earbuds! Crystal clear audio with the very crisp spot on base and a good frequency range will satisfy even a picky listener. Truly impressive quality for Bluetooth! Earbuds came with a very soft silicone eartips that are really comfortable to my ears, much softer than I used to. They won't hurt even after a whole work day at the office, but stay secure in the ear. 3 sizes of eartips (Small, Medium and Large) are included in the box. "Mushroom" piece that goes into an ear canal can not be separated from the "finger" that locks into the ear. Neck band is about 6" in diameter and feels pretty soft and comfortable, it does not rub, however if you plan running wearing these earbuds - you may need to secure the neck band so it won't bounce. Total weight is only 2.2 oz. Earbuds are connected to the neck band with 9" wires. Whole system looks sweat proof (micro USB charging port on the neck band is covered with the little rubber door when not in use), but I could not find anything in the manual or on the box advertising it. Pairing with the phone was a breeze, earbuds could be paired to 2 devices at the same time. During the first pairing - you will be prompted to download the Bose connect app so you could control the earbuds (update firmware, manage paired device list, and control the active noise cancelling). Headphones will announce the devices they paired to and it's easy to switch between devices by pressing the power button. Active noise cancelling is a little different on these - it's power could be controlled from the app or with buttons on the side of the remote. On it's lowest level - earbuds will actually act like a pass thru - they will listen to everything around you and play it to your ears - just like you are not wearing any earbuds at all! It was a new feeling which I had to adjust to for a bit, but I actually found it very useful, I don't need to take the earbuds out to talk to somebody! As you gradually increase the noise filtering level - earbuds will remove the outside noise, at about 25% setting - you'll feel like in a regular earbuds, but if you keep increasing - outside sounds will go away completely. I've tried these in a noisy computer room - and at the maximum setting - I could not hear anything around me at all, that is impressive! I would say noise cancelling is more powerful than on QC35! Bose really improved it! However in the quiet environment - don't max out the noise cancelling - it will start generating a buzzing noise by itself, keep it around 50% or less. Battery life is announced as 10 hours and that depends on the amount of noise and volume I guess, because they were still at 50% after 8 hours at work. Micro USB charging cable is included (1 ft). Earbuds came with a semi hard travel case measuring about 7" in diameter and 1.5" thick, total weigh in the case with the USB cable is 6.3oz. Overall: great sound, solid Bluetooth connection with no interruptions, long battery life (10 hours+), impressive active noise reduction - makes these earbuds a great choice for anyone, from runners to office workers.