The QC30 is another brilliant set of noise-cancelling headphones from Bose, this time targeted more at active users.
While it's not quite up there with last year's exceptional QC35, it's a great – if quite expensive – option for those who prefer an in-ear alternative to those chunkier over-ear options.
The QC30 consists of two earpieces connected to a horseshoe-shaped band that sits on the neck; a simple control module for volume, noise-cancelling and other features is located just below the right earpiece.
While I’ve never been a fan of in-ear headphones, Bose’s StayHear earpieces are surprisingly comfortable and feel very secure even at the tail end of a long run, all the while offering a very good audio experience.
The neckband, however, takes a little more getting used to. While it’s perfectly fine when walking around and sitting at your desk, it feels clunky when running, with the wires to the earbuds occasionally twisting around it.
It’s also worth noting that there’s no option to use a physical headphone wire with the QC30, meaning you won’t be able to plug it into an aeroplane’s in-flight entertainment system on a long-haul flight.
And the sound? First up, the QC30’s noise-cancelling is superb, especially for in-ear buds, shutting out much of the outside world as well as the QC35 or Sony’s MDR-1000X. The noise-cancelling level is adjusted via an up-and-down toggle, a far simpler system than the fiddly controls on the Sony cans.
The QC30's audio experience is excellent all round, even if it falls just short of the QC35. Bass and mid-range tones on a track like Beyonce's Hold Up are solid; the beats on Jason Derulo's Want to Want Me are crisp, even if the higher range vocals could be stronger in the mix.
The QC30 retails for Dh1,199, about Dh300 cheaper than the QC35 but still a high price for in-ear headphones. Its audio might not quite hit the heights of the QC35, and the lack of a wired option is a pity. But for those looking for an in-ear option that delivers superior noise cancelling, the QC30 is highly recommended.
jeverington@thenational.ae
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