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Bose QuietComfort 25: New noise-canceling headphone gets totally new design

Bose's $299.95/AU$399 QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones feature an entirely new design, combining better noise reduction and audio performance with a new look and greater portability.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
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David Carnoy
2 min read

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The new QuietComfort 25 comes in white or black. Bose

The other day I saw the Bose QuietComfort 15 on sale and I said to myself, "Ah, Bose must be on the verge of bringing out a new noise-canceling model because the QC 15 never gets discounted."

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Sure enough, a few weeks later, we have the new Quiet Comfort 25, which Bose says is totally redesigned withbetter noise reduction, audio performance and an improved folding design that allows the headphone to fit in a smaller carrying case. Price for the new model is the same as the QC15, which it replaces: $299.95 (or AU$399 for Australians and £269.95 for those in the UK). It's available now, except in the UK, where it's set to be released on September 15.


Bose QuietComfort 25 noise-cancelling headphones (pictures)

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I haven't heard or tried the headphone yet but will hopefully get a pair soon since they're shipping now. In terms of sound, Bose says the QC 25 features audio advancements to reproduce music with improved clarity and accuracy. "A more finely tuned Active EQ delivers a demonstrably smoother frequency response across the full spectrum of sound, regardless of listening level."

Like the QC 15, QuietComfort 25 is powered by a single AAA battery that delivers up to 35 hours of use. And this is new: if the battery dies, the music plays on. The headphone also comes with an an inline remote and mic for taking calls with select iPod, iPhone, and iPad models, as well as "select" smartphones.

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The headphones fold up to fit in a smaller carrying case. Bose

Bose says the headphone was reengineered to sit closer to the head and the proprietary headband design uses an "engineered fabric found in high-end automotive applications." The ear cushions are made of protein leather, and the earcups feature a soft-touch TPE bumper and cast-zinc pivot.

If you bought the QC15 recently, sorry, these do seem like a nice upgrade. We'll do a full comparison once we get a review sample.

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For an additional $100 ($399.95), you can create a custom finish for the QC 25. Bose