Technical Description of the
Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones
By Douaa Labdouni
City College of New York
Instructor: Susan Delamare
November 07, 2023
Author’s Note
This article was written as assigned by Professor Susan Delamare for the course English 21007, Writing for Engineering. Questions concerning this paper should be addressed to Douaa Labdouni,
Contact: [email protected]
Table of Contents
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………….……..3
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………….4
Background ……………………………………………………………………………………….5
List of Parts and Functions ……………………………………………………………………….7
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………13
List of Figures ……………………………………………………………………………..…….14
References ……………………………………………………………………………………….15
Abstract
The Bose QuietComfort 45 (QC45) Headphones are one of Bose’s most popular products, aside from their speaker systems, which the company is widely known for. The QC45 headphones boast cutting-edge technology and usability, making them a highly advanced and desirable tool for audio consumption. This paper will describe the various features and uses of the QuietComfort 45 headphones that have extended over its evolution and history.
Introduction
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones have been a popular choice of audio technology since their debut in 2021 (Carnoy, 2021.) The Bose company itself is widely remarked as a trailblazer in its industry, due to its impact on audio systems. They have developed their method of speaker design and noise cancellation technology (Ferris, 2016). Thanks to their acoustic research, the company works with both NASA and the United States military to engineer cutting-edge equipment such as audio conversion and amplification technology (Ferris, 2016). Presently, the QC45 is one of Bose’s main consumer focuses, as it is designed for a broad audience of users and offers cutting-edge capabilities. The QC45 is a noise-canceling Bluetooth headset with a high microphone and speaker capacity. It can also be used with a 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable instead of wireless mode, making it essentially independent of its battery life.
Figure 1
Woman using Bose QuietComfort 45 casually.
Note. Reprinted from “Bose – QuietComfort 45 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones – White Smoke” by P.C. Richard & Son, 2023 (https://www.pcrichard.com/bose-quietcomfort-45-wireless
-noise-cancelling-over-the-ear-headphones-white-smoke/QC45WRLSWTSM.html)
People can use the QuietComfort 45 for listening to music, streaming shows and movies, calling others, or for their professional audio-tuning needs. The headset is extremely versatile and practical no matter its implementation (Fig. 1).
Historical Background
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are a recent development for Bose, being the 25th predecessor of their first over-ear headphone set. The first Bose headphone set, the Aviation Headset, was introduced in 1989 and was cutting-edge in sound technology and noise cancellation for its time (Ferris, 2005.) After Bose chairman Amar Bose noticed a strong design flaw in airplane headphones not being audible over the loud plane-engine sounds, the company was the first to release noise-canceling technology in their consumer products (Ferris, 2005.)
Figure 2
Original Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Note. Reprinted from “List of discontinued Bose headphones” by Wikipedia, 2023 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_discontinued_Bose_headphones).
Despite these initial achievements, the Bose Aviation Headset underwent several modifications and upgrades while the company established a wide variation of headset lines for different consumer groups. The QuietComfort 45 known today hails from the very first model of the QuietComfort (QC) line, simply named the QC (Fig 2). This new line was primarily targeted for a more broad range of consumers, who use audio daily.
The first QC was discontinued in 2004, to be replaced by the QC2, which removed the previous battery box and added features such as a detachable cord and an upgraded battery life of 30-40 hours (Frakes, 2005.) This model was then replaced in 2009 by the QC15 and then, in 2015 by the QC25 (Frakes, 2005.) Then, in 2016, the headset most related to the QuietComfort 45 was released, entitled the QC35 (Carnoy, 2021.) These headphones were the first Bluetooth headset, that completely removed the reliance on a cable seen in other previous models. In addition, it provided a drastic improvement in sound quality and noise cancellation (Carnoy, 2021.) Though a different variation of these revolutionary headsets, the QC35 II is still being sold (Bose, 2023.) The QC35 was discontinued in 2018 (Bose, 2023.)
List of Parts and Functions
As shown in Figure 3 below, the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are visually very similar to Bose’s previous headphone model, the QC 35 II, having the same frame shape, plastic external construction, and matte finish (Carnoy, 2021.)
Figure 3
Bose QC45 headphones
Note. Reprinted from “Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones,” by Bose, n.d.
(https://www.bose.com/p/headphones/bose-quietcomfort-45-headphones/QC45-HEADPHONEARN.html?dwvar_QC45-HEADPHONEARN_color=BLACK&quantity=1)
The headset is very lightweight, weighing only 240 g. and with even weight distribution on the head, making it very wearable and comfortable (Carnoy, 2021.) The ear holes are large enough to fit most ears, measuring in at around 60mm x 45mm (Bose, 2023.) Surrounding the ear hole, the synthetic leather pads provide extra comfort while acting as a sound isolator (Thomas, 2023.) The dimensions of the full headset are 7.68 in. height by 6.18 in. width by 3.15 in. depth. As shown in Figure 3, the headband also features adjustable length, providing for a wider range of head sizes.
Figure 4
QC45 parts diagram
Note. Reprinted from “Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones User Manual,” by Bose. User Manuals Simplified, 2023
(https://manuals.plus/bose/bose-quiet-comfort-45-headphones-user-manual?expand_article=1#axzz8EYqADji5)
On the right ear cuff is a power button and a Bluetooth power switch. Underneath the right ear cuff is a button for playback (pause, play, skip, etc.) and a volume button (volume up, volume down.) Underneath the left ear cuff is an action button and below the action button is a 2.5mm jack that allows for wired listening, contrary to Bluetooth audio (Thomas, 2023.) The QC45 features Bluetooth 5.1, an upgraded system of Bluetooth that features a longer range of up to 9 m of Bluetooth connection (Thomas, 2023.) Also on the bottom of each ear cuff is a USB-C port for charging (Fig 4.) The QC45 internal sound system has a four-mic array to help isolate the user’s voice from background noises such as light chatter and traffic. It has an average battery life of 24 hours and 50 minutes, and only 2.5 hours of charge time (Carnoy, 2021.)
Parts
Figure 5
QuietComfort 45 bottom view
Note. Adapted from “Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones User Manual,” by Manuals- User Manuals Simplified, 2023 (https://manuals.plus/bose/bose-quiet-comfort-45-headphones-user-manual?expand_article=1#axzz8EYqADji5)
The Bose QC45, like many of its competitors, features both noise-cancellation modes and transparency “aware” modes. The QC45 sound system can be customized to a user’s preferred balance on the Bose Music app (Bose, 2023.) It also employs an algorithm to filter out such external sounds (Harris, W.)
1. Headband
The headband (Fig. 5) is designed to provide comfort even for long-time wear, featuring padding and appropriate pressure. It is located at the very top of the headset and it connects the right and left ear cuffs. The headband additionally has padding on the bottom, to provide extra user comfort (Bose, 2023.)
2. Ear Cuffs (Right, Left)
The ear cuffs (Fig. 5) are where the actual audio is distributed to the user’s ears via the two internal speakers. They feature leather padding for concealing sound waves as well as user comfort (Carnoy, 2021.) The synthetic leather material is also breathable, preventing the users from noticing any built-up heat (Thomas, 2023.) The ear cuffs are connected to the headband with a double-hinge, allowing the ear holes to turn flat, inwards or outwards, or up towards the headband, to allow for foldability and easier storage (Bose, n.d.)
3. Action button
The action button (Fig. 4) is located on the posterior side of the left ear cuff, and it handles several controls. The noise canceling modes, Quiet Mode and Aware Mode can be switched by clicking through the Action button. Double-pressing the action button will mute or unmute a call. an action button that controls toggling between different active noise control modes, such as aware and noise-canceling, and summoning a voice assistant
4. Multi-function Button
The multi-function button (Fig. 4) is located on the posterior side of the right ear cuff. It allows the user to manage calling controls: pressing once answers and ends a call, holding down for one second declines an incoming call, and double-pressing the button switches between multiple active calls (Bose, 2021.) Additionally, pressing and holding the Multi-function button for one second will access the headphones’ voice control assistant. During Media playback, the multi-function button also acts as a play and pause button when pressed once. To skip forward, the multi-function button is double-pressed and to skip backward it is triple-pressed.
5. Volume Controls
The volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons (Fig. 4) are located on the posterior side of the right earcup, surrounding the multi-function button. These two buttons allow the user to set volume levels at any desired level.
6. Power and Bluetooth Switch
The power and Bluetooth switch (Fig. 4) is located on the outer side of the right ear cuff, above the Bose logo. The switch turns the QC45 on and off according to its position: sliding left turns the headset off and sliding right turns the headset on. Sliding the Power/Bluetooth switch to the right and holding for 3 seconds prompts the headset to connect to a device via Bluetooth (Bose, n.d.) Another key feature of the QC45 is Bluetooth multipoint which allows for up to two devices to be connected simultaneously, allowing users to easily switch between two device audios at any given time (Bose, 2021.)
7. Microphone
The microphone (Fig. 5) is located on the outer side of the right ear cuff, on the edge closest to the user’s face. Its purpose is to collect audio feedback from the user when recording or in calls. It also is necessary for the headphones’ noise-canceling technology by providing primary sound waves and differentiating between higher and lower-frequency sounds (Harris, 2021).
8. Audio Cable Port/Jack
The audio cable (Fig. 4) can be found underneath the action button, on the bottom end of the left ear cuff. The purpose of this port is to connect a 2.55mm to 3.5mm cable to a device for non-wireless listening, or when the headphone battery is depleted (Bose, 2023).
9. USB-C Port
The USB-C charging port (Fig. 4) is located on the bottom end of the right ear cuff. It allows the device battery to be recharged when plugged into a USB-C cable and connected to an external electrical source such as a USB wall charger.
10. Cuff Hinges
The cuff hinges (Fig. 5) are the hardware pieces that connect each ear cuff to the headband. It rotates the ear cuffs inwards so that the headset lays flat and is compact for storage (Thomas, 2023). Additionally, the hinges allow the headset to fold its left earcup up toward the headband to enable smaller storage space.
11. Status light
The status light (Fig. 5) is found underneath the volume down button, on the posterior side of the right ear cuff. When the status light blinks white for 10 seconds, the headphones begin charging. The status light glows solid amber when the device is still charging, and when it is running on low battery levels. The status light glows solid white when the device is fully charged. The status light blinks blue when the QC45 is ready to pair with other Bluetooth devices. When Bluetooth is connected, the status light becomes solid blue for 10 seconds (Bose, 2023).
Conclusion
Audio is one of the most widely appreciated forms of media, spanning from music and video to audiobooks and calls. As technology has advanced now more than ever, the general standards for audio and audio equipment have also increased greatly. Bose, with its release of the QC45 headphones, understands this precedent. Throughout the company’s history of constant improvements and audio research, Bose was able to achieve impeccable performance and usability with the QC45. The headphones became one of the best-selling noise-cancellation headsets, rivaling Sony and even Apple. Users highly enjoy the variety of convenient features and customizable audio functions that the QC45 has to offer. Every day, leisurely users and professionals alike rely on the QuietComfort 45 headphones to deliver their necessary audio experiences. Thanks to the QC45, among other products, Bose has set a high standard for quality audio equipment in the industry, establishing itself as an audio leader.
List of Figures
Figure 1: Woman using Bose QuietComfort 45 casually…………………………………………2
Figure 2: Original Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones…………………………………………..5
Figure 3: Bose QC45 Headphones……………………………………………………….……….7
Figure 4: QC45 Parts Diagram……………………………………………………………..……..8
Figure 5: QuietComfort 45 Bottom View………………………………………………….……..9
References
Bose. (2021). QuietComfort 45 Manual. Bose.
Bose. (n.d.). Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones. [Figure]. Bose.
Bose. (2023, February 14). Bose Quiet Comfort 45 Headphones User Manual. [Figure]. Manuals+.
Carnoy, D. (2021, October 4). Bose QuietComfort 45 review: Some serious noise-canceling. CNET.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/bose-quietcomfort-45-review/
Ferris, R. (2016, March 24). How Amar Bose used research to build better speakers. CNBC.
https://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/24/how-amar-bose-used-research-to-build-better-speakers.html
Frakes, D. (2005, February 1). Review: Bose QuietComfort 2 Headphones. MacWorld.
https://www.macworld.com/article/174279/quietcomfort.html
Harris, W. (2021, February 11). How Noise-canceling Headphones Work. How Stuff Works.
https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/audio-music/noise-canceling-headphone3.htm
P.C. Richard & Son (2023). Bose – QuietComfort 45 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones – White Smoke. [Figure]. PC. Richard & Son.
Thomas, C. (2023, October 30). Bose QuietComfort 45 review. Sound Guys.
https://www.soundguys.com/bose-quietcomfort-45-review-60657/
Wikipedia (2023). List of discontinued Bose headphones. [Figure]. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_discontinued_Bose_headphones
