That only happens if the device supports that codec. If it doesn't it just reverts back without notice.I know you're probably a headphone jack holdout, but it may be worth looking to upgrade to a newer phone. Android 11 nails this. It even avoids all of the quirks when you have to choose the often times non-standard bit and sample rates supported by the codec. For example, to get AptX-HD working from developer options, you need to choose that codec, select 24-bit, and select 48KHz, once everything is correct, then it actually changes. I
QC II.This or the QC II?
Okay, but here's the issue. They're near on unusably bad without it, and starting with such a junk response severely cuts your headroom because you're asking the drivers to do something they really don't want to do. And it's Bose's MO: start with the cheapest stuff you can get away with and force it to do what you want it to with EQ. To me, that's the silliest thing in the world.
It makes a lot more sense to start with something decent enough and improve it with light touch DSP.
Exactly, and for those reasons it shouldn't be long until we start seeing budget DSP headphones with lower profit margins taking over this space.Engineering is about tradeoffs. Here, Bose clearly seems to believe that, given the budget constraints, the best approach is not to spend a lot of money trying to build a flat passive acoustical response, but to spend the money on aggressive DSP instead, and on drivers that have enough headroom to take such DSP.
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If you can get away with using DSP instead (and they did!), then you can use the money you saved on something else (e.g. make the product cheaper, improve overall build quality, comfort, etc.). Engineering, tradeoffs, etc.
Hmm, just received a pair of NC 700s today. And a week ago I purchased a pair of Sony WH1000 XM4s. The return window for both is still open. Wondering what to do, since I do not intend to keep both (though I may end up doing just that).
1. Neither pair sounds particularly good with default settings. Sony has hugely overblown bass and somewhat peaky treble. Bose is somewhat more neutral, but the treble sounds weird and "synthetic". The bass is not particularly strong but it has a boomy quality to it. The sound of both phones can be adjusted with their own apps. Sony is much better in this regard. The amount of bass can be decreased with 'clear bass' slider. There is also a very simple eg, which nevertheless has proved useful. With these rudimentary tools the Sony can be made to sound quite decent, if not truly hifi. The Bose cannot be adjusted the same way. There is an eq in the Bose app but it is even coarser than the one in the Sony. After adjusting the eq the Sony manages to sound more open than the Bose.
2. Both Sony and Bose have superb ANC, much better than what I currently have (Sony MDR100ABN). Sony manages to completely silence the compressor of my noisy fridge - the ultimate test . Bose also does a good job at this but perhaps not quite as effectively. Playing pink noise from my loudspeakers I also feel that the Sony ANC is able to cancel somewhat lower frequencies than Bose.
3. I am tempted to keep the Sony, but it has one big problem (to me): the background noise inherent in ANC is surprisingly loud. You cannot help noticing it the very moment you put the phones on. The Bose has this "wooosh", too, but it is quieter and not as disturbing. I might get used to the noise in Sony, the again I might not. Anyone else with this problem, too?
Pretty much the reason I’m currently using the AirPods Max. This is a great headphone with a lot of potential, already great transducers (< 1% THD 20 Hz-20 kHz at any SPL, great matching) and I fix the FR with DSP (Qudelix 5K). I keep almost all of the benefits (except full wireless use, that I still use from time to time) and improve in an already great product and with a lot of potential to grow.show that they know what they're doing and that their approach should be taken seriously.
3. I am tempted to keep the Sony, but it has one big problem (to me): the background noise inherent in ANC is surprisingly loud. You cannot help noticing it the very moment you put the phones on. The Bose has this "wooosh", too, but it is quieter and not as disturbing. I might get used to the noise in Sony, the again I might not. Anyone else with this problem, too?
Thanks for the tip, have to try Heligoland with Bose.I've had two copies of the XM4 and god knows how any copies (because of various problems, quite a few related to the headband to cup pivot mechanism) of the 700 on my head.
The first copy of the XM4 I received had a sort of low level buzz (think ground loop kind of buzz in character) in the right earcup on top of the ANC "wooosh". But I didn't find the latter that objectionable. I'd love to see how this phenomenon could be measured and how different people may subjectively perceive / appreciate various kinds of ANC noise floor. It would be interesting to see if the same exact noise floor "character" is perceived differently.
All the Bose 700 behaved consistently but one thing that drove me a bit annoyed is that the Bose 700's noise floor isn't constant like on the XM4 / AirPods Max but variable. A good test of this is to play Massive Attack's Heligoland album at barely audible levels. Anytime content below 1kHz or so is played, the noise floor rhythmically varies with the music (Babel). You can also assess that by playing Girl I Love You and stopping / resuming the track. On tracks with parts with only low frequency content (Girl I Love You, even Zimmer's well known "Why So Serious" bass bridge), I could still distinguish that pumping noise floor at the levels I usually listen at.
No BT but for wired-only NC headphones, the QC25’s are good. The single AAA battery lasts a good while and easy to replace. I own one set of QC35II, but three sets of QC25’s. NOS QC25’s are getting harder to locate, so buy while still available.You summed up my thoughts in 2 sentences. And it isn't as though great "no dsp needed" transducers don't already exist - imagine what you could do with those as well as DSP? I think for stationary speakers DSP is a godsend and I can't wait for passive speakers to die out entirely.
That said I think for headphones I'm decidedly anti-DSP for repair reasons (as well as usability). Active headphones require an onboard battery to work, and that onboard battery is rarely if ever replaceable (and god forbid any of the silicon fails!)... and then there's the part where battery life is really still quite limited. That to me makes them kind of a poor choice unless you absolutely need ANC.
I have always had a softspot for the 901's ever since I heard them demo'd in one of the double decker buses that Bose had in front of the PX (BX?) at an Air force base in 1981- they sounded amazing to my young ears and I believe I also got a Tshirt...BOSE = Buy Other Stereo Equipment
The cup/headband interface is a marvel. I didn't understand it totally until I held them.
Until it breaks or stops sliding smoothly (if it ever did, I’ve had several 700 coming out of the box with loose or uneven sliding action), or the parts knock against each others when you walk because of how the cup is angled relative to the arm because of your anatomy (microphonics) .
It also undermines the internal packaging and compromised the acoustic design.
I find that a pretty terrible solution in search of a problem to solve compared to Bose traditional yoke design before.
I have got about 200miles running with them on have not experienced what you are describing.
That will depend on how exactly your anatomy dictates the cups's angle relative to the arm. https://community.bose.com/t5/Around-On-Ear-Headphones/Bose-700-hindge-noises/td-p/220290
I read a few pages of those posts, but can't relate to them.
This is why I use Koss when I am literally on the road, and Bose when I am figuratively on the road. I.e., cycling or walking versus riding an airplane, train, etc.I read a few pages of those posts, but can't relate to them. One would think it would be worse while running. I keep the noise cancellation at 5- it works so good that I almost ran into a car while running the other day.