Review on 🎧 Bose QuietComfort 20i Noise Cancelling Headphones with Acoustic Technology by Angie Wooten

NOTE. See the second post in the comments section for my updates on this review. Newly released July 2017: my QC20 is wasted! I use the word "revolutionary" for a reason. The truth is that a product rarely deserves this award. But from what I know about noise-cancelling technology, I wouldn't believe what Bose has achieved with the QC20 series is even possible. In fact, I would say that they have created the best all-round headphones on the market today for everyday use with portable music players. Note that I said "best in every respect" which doesn't mean it's "best" in every category. If audiophile sound quality is your top priority then look elsewhere as my Etymotic 4PT and Shure 530 series headphones sound better than the QC20. However, these better-sounding phones have other drawbacks in actual use (more on that later) and now sit in my desk drawer, while the QC20 is everywhere with me. Conclusion: If you are looking for the invariably best noise cancellation system on the market today, combined with very good sound, maximum comfort and convenience, all in a very small and light package, then the QC20 is for you. This review focuses on comparing the QC20 to the QC15 as well as the Etymotic 4PT and Shure ES530 that I currently own and have been using for a while. And please be sure to read the Design Flaws section at the end of this review before deciding if the QC20 is for you. Noise Reduction: The QC20 is significantly better than my QC15. Look, I've been using Bose QC headphones for years, but the QC20 made me gasp the first time I turned on the noise-cancelling circuitry. I can only describe the effect as eerily quiet, which seems impossible with an earpiece that only fits in your ear hole but doesn't fit in the canal or enclose your ears like headphones. (By comparison, I never thought the QC3's noise-cancelling was so good.) - along with crying babies - have always largely eluded the capabilities of noise-cancelling systems. The QC20 is by no means perfect for stopping speech (or crying babies), but it's a definite step up. My QC15s will go on sale today. Sound Quality: The QC20 sounds significantly better than the QC15, but still lags behind the best in-ear headphones like the Ety 4PT and the Shure ES530. To my ears (your ears may differ) the QC20's sound is a bit hazy by comparison and while bass is certainly there, its quality and density aren't as good. But let's put it in context: I'm talking about the A/A+ sound of the Ety and Shure versus the B/B+ sound of the QC20. In-ear headphones also have disadvantages: they almost completely drown out outside noise. totally, which I find dangerous walking the streets of New York, and there's the inconvenience of having to unplug your headphones every time you want to hear what someone is saying to you. The QC20 features an "Awareness" mode that activates audio at the touch of a button. Also, with the Ety 4PT, I can hear the mic thump of the cable hitting my body as I walk - not as loud as previous generations of the Ety cable, but still there. these in-ear headphones are comfortable for prolonged wear, such as during a cross-country flight. Again, your ears may be different, but I'll have to take them off after a few hours. Comfort: My QC15 headphones are certainly comfortable, but the QC20's soft silicone earbuds fit your ear holes so snugly you forget you're even wearing them. Most importantly, the design of the Bose StayHear earbuds keeps them in place, which is very important to me. I've never been able to wear earbuds of any design (and I think I've tried them all) because they fall out too easily. The Bose stay safe but without the power to cause discomfort. The QC20 comes with medium sized tips installed, but also includes small and large sizes in the box. Size/Weight: This is where the QC20 really outperforms the QC15. The earbuds are stored in a soft case that measures just 2.75 x 5 inches and weighs next to nothing. As beautiful as the QC15 storage case is, it looks huge in comparison. I was concerned that the "battery/control panel" at the end of the QC20 connector would be of a size and weight that would make it awkward to use, but it's small, very thin, and almost as light as the cable itself. Stem measures just 1"W x 3.5" x 1/4". Weighs only 3/4 oz including termination cord and plug. This termination cord is long enough to easily fold the boom on the back of your phone or music player and slips easily into your pocket.Convenience: Minimal size/weight make the QC20 an earbud you can take anywhere.Includes ultra-light lithium battery that lasts 16 hours on just 2 hours of charging USB.(Bose includes the required USB-to-micro-USB charging cable.) The headphones will work even when the battery is empty, but with no noise-cancelling and slightly degraded sound quality, but it's better than nothing.The built-in microphone makes it an ideal headset f For use with iPhones and other cell phones (Please note that the QC20i must be ordered for use with Apple products.) The microphone also has an 'Aware Mode' switch which lets through some external noise such as traffic noise . comfortable and an important safety feature when wearing these i's in an urban environment. Design flaw: Silicone earpads don't slide up and down easily. There are two slits in the silicone that fit into the two small plastic tabs on the ear cups, holding the ear cups securely in place. I broke one of these earbuds while trying to swap out medium sized earbuds for small ones and that was after reading the instructions and following them as closely as I could. Bose gave me an immediate exchange so no problem but if you are buying a QC20 and need to change the size of the earbuds I would recommend contacting Bose customer service who are excellent and get help from them too to let . And one last tip, if you're buying direct from Bose, either online or in one of their stores. They come with a 30-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, which they don't offer when you buy elsewhere. Use the phones as much as you like and if after a month you're not satisfied, simply return them for a full refund. Since new models of Bose products are not discounted anywhere, this risk-free trial is a great advantage over direct purchase. Just be prepared that these headphones will NOT be sent back to you! ;-) Verdict: Overall, the QC20s are five-star headphones with one asterisk due to the plastic tongue construction. Thank you for taking the time to read my review and I hope you find it helpful in your purchase decision. Again, if you check out the second post in the comments section you will find my updates on this original review.