Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones for Apple Devices (Black)

Product Information

This is the ideal, and this technology strives to accomplish this ideal for as many unwanted ambient sound waves as possible. We tested the QC 20i version with an iPhone 4S.Call clarity through the inline mic is about what you'd expect—your call partner will understand you just fine, but with cellular fidelity, you're not exactly going to hear a pin drop. I’m willing to bet that the Bose QC20 earphones used in active cancellation mode under big over-the-ear sound isolation headphones, like those used at a gun range, would get us very close to that level of performance.

Until then, if you must have music at safe SPLs for the safety of your long-term hearing, the best you could do would be the Bose QuietComfort 20 earphones paired with larger over-the-ear sound-isolating headphones. The Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones don’t seem to work as well with some types of noise. A better, more sound isolating interface between the earphone and the human ear canal would help a lot. In fact, for some reason, helmet wind noise seems more noticeable when wearing the Bose QC20 headphones than when wearing the Moldex PuraFit 6800 ear plugs.

Both of these sorts of sound waves are going to be difficult for active noise cancellation technology to deal with, as they’re unpredictable. Press and hold to access your preset Shortcut (customization available through the Bose Music app). Note that you do not need to have the QC20 system attached to a device to get the noise reducing function.

Once paired, you can use the app to toggle between Quiet and Aware modes, which you can already do on the headphones. You can also connect to different sound sources you're simultaneously paired to, letting you easily get audio from your phone, laptop, or other device. Other than that, the settings menu only provides some basic options, like adjusting automatic power-down times and the level of mic monitoring (how much of your own voice you hear on calls). So, I think it’s safe to conclude that you will not find, as of 2014, a better implementation of active noise cancellation than this model by Bose. That’s unfortunate for us motorcyclists, as we’ve seen here how limited the technology currently is. I’m not sure why this is, but I suspect it has to do with the difficulty in measuring and producing such high frequencies with sufficient precision and speed. It’s timed 180 degrees out of phase, such that the highest peaks of the ambient sound waves coincide with the lowest valleys of the processor-produced “cancelling” sound waves. If you were expecting the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds to sound identical to the model they replace you might be surprised. Yes, Bose has kept the same tonal characteristics which is great in terms of consistency. There’s a familiar richness and fullness to the sound, but the new buds have a bit more of a skip in their step.The technology is improving, but I think there are limitations that will always make it difficult for motorcycle applications. That could result in an earphone that protects the motorcyclist from more riding noise than the best foam plugs can.

High frequencies are much faster, with much less time to process and align the various peaks and valleys of these short-period, fast waves. Just by coincidence, the neighbor happened to be mowing his lawn on a riding garden tractor — a perfect test!

My Account

From “J.C.” (February 2017): ” I just bought a pair and I see this review is 4 years old so don’t know how much this changes things. But the Bose system has added many miles to my riding. It will reduce noise whether or not it’s connected to an MP3 player or cell phone; simply throw the switch to activate the noise cancelling feature. They come with three size inserts and I ended up using the largest size. Getting the right fit is important as it impacts how much noise reduction you will experience. The only issue I had right away is with the on/off switch, which is located on the side of the battery.

But the quality of the Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones appears to be very good. From “K.I.” (March 2014): “Another honest, detailed, intelligent review from webBikeWorld.com. Thank you “Mad Dog” Earle. These Bose Noise Cancelling earbuds provide an amazing amount of noise reduction. I used them on a recent flight on a mid-size plane and they cut out enough engine and flying noise to make the flight bearable. I was able to listen to a movie without having to turn the volume up really loud. They have very good sound quality, fit flush with the ear, don’t come out putting on/taking off a helmet, and have superior noise isolation. Shure SE215’s are a great choice.”

Bose QuietComfort 20 and Motorcycle Exhaust Noise

I’m also surprised that the Bose system doesn’t reduce the voice or talking sounds as much as I had hoped. Bose claims the rechargeable battery lasts about 16 hours on a full charge, and takes about two hours to fully charge via the included USB charging cable. A total of only two ear tip pairs are included—a little stingy on Bose's part, even if the company is convinced at least one of the two ear tip pairs will fit everyone. A soft, zip-up carrying pouch is also included with the QC 20, along with a removable shirt-clip that comes fastened to the cable. So the technology may never be able to actively “cancel” unique and sporadic sounds as they enter your ear canal.