Home HeadphonesHeadphone Comparisons Beats Studio 3 vs. Bose QC35

Beats Studio 3 vs. Bose QC35

by Stuart Charles Black
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Konnichiwa friend and Welcome aboard!!

Before we get into the Beats Studio 3 vs. Bose QC35 comparison, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..

You’ve come to the right place!!

What I will bring you in this review

Today I will outline the Similarities & Differences between these two fierce competitors, and then give a recommendation towards the end. 🙂

  1. Introduction
  2. Beats Studio 2.0 vs. 3.0
  3. QC35 vs. QC35 II
  4. Similarities & Differences Between Studio 3 and QC35
  5. Video Review and Comparison
  6. Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!

Introduction & Beats Studio 2 vs. 3

To start off, the differences between the Studio 2.0 and 3.0 can be found here: Beats Studio 2.0 vs. 3.0. I got a chance to demo both, and the sound between the two is basically identical. The only differences are:

  • Better noise cancellation in the 3.0.
  • 2 microphones to cancel the noise instead of one.
  • Better battery life and that W1 chip, which extends battery life and automatically pairs to your Apple device.
  • Fast fuel charging. This basically allows you to charge the headphones for 10 minutes in exchange for 3 hours of playback. Not too shabby!

That said, the sound is the same, but it’s not a signature that I prefer. The bass hits hard but routinely gets out of line. It’s not god awful, and it is definitely a step up from some of the early Beats models, but it still ends up being a bit too overbearing for my tastes. The bass also tends to get in the way of the mid-range and there ends up being little clarity and detail.

If you’re not too familiar with audiophile type headphones, this probably won’t matter much. You’ll enjoy the sound of the Studio’s just fine. I guess the fact that I have experience with better sound skews my opinion a little, but because you can get better sound for much cheaper, I rarely can recommend a Beats headphone outright. The Solo 3 is an exception. Learn more: Beats Solo 3 Review!


Bose QC35 vs. QC35 II

With the QC35 coming out with an updated version, you may be wondering the Differences. There aren’t that many. The headphone largely stayed the same. Check it out.

Similarities

  • Both have the same exact design.
  • Both have the same noise cancellation features.
  • Both have the same sound quality.
  • Both come with a short cable for charging and a long one for listening.
  • Both have identical button placement.
  • Both have identical build quality.
  • Both have protein leather ear-cups with alcantara for the headband.
  • Both are made primarily of glass filled nylon and stainless steel.
  • Both are identical in weight at 8.3 oz.
  • Both use a micro USB to charge.
  • Both have a 20 hour battery life.
  • Both are the same price.

Differences

  • Bose updated the carrying case by removing the stitched logo and replacing it with a sticker logo.
  • The QC35 II’s no longer come with an airline adapter.
  • The Magic Button. The QC35 II’s added a button that allows you to interact with Google Assistant. This is basically Google’s version of “Siri” that comes with the iPhone. So just press the button, ask a question, and get an answer homie! You can also ask the assistant to play songs and stuff. The button will work with iPhones as well. With an iPhone, you were able to do those same things with the original QC35. All you had to do was press and hold the middle button, while asking the same sorts of questions. You can do quite a lot with it regardless. What the Assistant button does that the regular button doesn’t is it allows you to literally take a call without touching your phone, which is extremely convenient. It’s also the epitome of lazy, but that’s another story. 😀
  • The QC35 II’s noise cancelling features work in both wired and wireless mode, a feature absent with the original model. How do noise cancelling headphones work?

So basically the only difference is the Google Assistant button. Alternatively, you could simply press and hold the middle button down on the QC35 II and still get Siri or Google voice. I don’t really see a reason to buy the QC35 II to be honest. I would just go with the original.

Also

You don’t have to use the extra button specifically for assistant. If you still want to use it, you can reassign it to scroll through the various noise cancelling levels.


So by now you may be wondering how the Bose QC35 measures up against the Studio 3. Let’s find out!!

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

  • Both employ Bluetooth, and both are Wireless.
  • Both can take calls and activate Siri.
  • Both have very good range, but the Studio 3’s is a bit better.
  • Beats finally caught up. The 3.0’s now offer adaptive noise cancelling like the QC35’s. What this does is compares the noise cancelled music with the original source file on your device in real time. This removes unwanted artifacts in the sound and also blocks out sound as your listening without you becoming aware. How do noise cancelling headphones work?
  • Fold. Both of these headphones fold in a similar way. The Studio 3.0’s fold at both hinges, while the QC35’s contort in a strange way, but also fold at the hinges. Basically the QC35’s can move in more ways.

Differences

  • Chip. The Bose QC35 does not have a W1 chip, while the Studio 3.0 does. This chip allows your Apple device to automatically connect to your phone, and will also extend battery life.
  • Comfort & Weight. Both of these are very similar comfort wise, but I would say the QC35 is going to be more comfy over the long term. It pretty much disappears on your head. While the Studio 3 is extremely comfortable as well, you’ll notice it more. You will also find yourself making more frequent adjustments, being that it’s heavier than the 35.
  • Build. Both are also similar build wise, but I would give the ever so slight edge to the Studio 3. It just feels more robust in your hand. The QC35 also feels durable, but it seems a bit more prone to breaking in comparison to the 3’s.
  • Battery Life. The QC35’s have a 20 hour battery life, while the Studio 3’s have a 22 hour battery life. Also, with the QC35’s a 15 minute charge will give you 2.5 hours of battery life, and with the Studio 3’s, a 10 minute charge yields 3 hours.
  • Case. The cases are a bit different. The Studio 3’s looks like a pill, and is round, while the QC35’s is more of a rounded rectangle sort of shape.
  • Noise cancellation. The noise cancelling on the QC35’s is better than on the Studio 3. One thing to keep in mind though is that with the Studio 3, you don’t have to have noise cancellation on when listening. With the QC35’s you do. But, if you want to use the 35’s normally, just plug the cable in and you’re golden.
  • Sound. This is perhaps the meatiest difference between the two. With the QC35, you’re getting a very mid-range oriented sound, with a bass that does have impact but doesn’t get out of line. The treble on the 35’s is crisp and alive, but never sibilant. What does Sibilant mean?  Think of the sound as very warm and rich, like Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup over delicious Ice Cream with peanuts on top. 😛 The Studio 3’s are the complete opposite: Lots of bass (perhaps too much), and a recessed (pushed back) mid-range with a bright and sometimes peaky treble region. You’re going to get a lot of bass, but to me it’s a bit too boomy and artificial. The 35’s handle bass extremely well. It’s more of an articulate, textured sound by contrast.

Video Comparison!

Shout out to RIZKNOWS for the video 🙂


Final Word

I like the QC35’s friend. I think they will provide a more detailed sound for you, and have better overall features than the Beats Studio 3. Though the Studio’s have ANC (Adaptive Noise Cancelling) now, I think the QC35 does it better. They’re also a lot more comfortable as I mentioned before.

If the Google Assistant button with the QC35 II’s sounds delicious to you, I understand. It’s a great feature to have in the airport. You can set reminders for yourself, and do things hands free instead of trippin’ all over the place!

SEE THE QC35 II’s FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!


Rather go with the originals? No problem.

CHECK OUT MY OFFICIAL BOSE QUIET COMFORT 35 REVIEW!!

AND

SEE THEM FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!


Still curious about the Studio 3 because of that W1 chip?

CLICK HERE TO READ SOME REVIEWS ON AMAZON!!


Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve gotten some valuable information out of this Beats Studio 3 vs. Bose QC35 comparison!

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!

Which of these tickles YOUR pickle? What do you think about the QC35 and Solo 3? I would love to hear from you! Until next time..

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

Be sure to also check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

 

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