Design and features:The QuietControl 30 has an integrated microphone and in-line volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls for use with paired Bluetooth devices. This model uses a collar/earphone design - all of the electronics are incorporated into an open collar that sits around the neck, and the earphones are attached to wires that extend from the collar. When the headphones are turned on the noise canceling feature is also turned on; the noise-canceling feature can be used without listening to music. The QuietControl 30 has a monitor function that lets the user adjust the amount of ambient sound that can be heard through the earphones. Additional features include optional NFC Bluetooth pairing, and the free Bose Connect app download for Apple and Android mobile devices is available which can be used to adjust various settings. This model comes with three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, a USB charging cable, and a carrying case.
Sound quality: We found the QuietControl 30 provides excellent active noise reduction and sound quality that falls in the excellent range; while no headphone is perfect, the shortcomings of this model are minor. The overall sound can best be summarized as slightly bassy and a touch hazy. Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is slightly prominent and boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is fairly even, but is a bit hazy. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended, but the upper treble is subdued. The sound has a decent sense of liveliness and is somewhat open--sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything plugging up your ears. These earphones provide excellent reduction of low frequency noise, reduction of midrange and treble frequency noise ranged from very good to excellent depending on the external noise. When the noise canceling feature is engaged a very faint hiss can be heard in very quiet environments when there is no audio program material to mask it.
Comfort: We found that these earphones fit and stay in place with no problems, are very stable even with vigorous head movement, and the collar is not generally noticeable and is very convenient unless it interferes with clothing. This is a hybrid ear insert/earbud design - the earpieces seal the ear canals but they don't insert into the ear canals as far as typical ear insert models, and they are supported by ear bowls like an earbud model rather than the ear canals. When the earphones are not in the ears they dangle from the collar and rest on the chest where they will swing out away from the body when leaning over; this can be bothersome, lead to the earphones getting tangled, or expose them to damage.
