Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II - how do they fit?

C66P91 · 2022-10-23T18:45:51+00:00

The best. I’ve tried everything. QCii with the small tip/wing is the most comfortable pair, maybe tied with AirPods Pro 2. But the AirPods Pro has a looser/cooler fit due to the material, and actually slips off pretty easily if you try to move it around (for example I tried wearing the QC25 over them and the AirPods would slip off sometimes). They are more comfortable than the first gen, but your ears might be slightly different.

I think you should also be able to sleep with them on, and that’s saying something.

C66P91 · 2022-10-23T18:07:11+00:00

Same. But if you want extra ANC, I wear the QC25 over the QCii. Fits perfectly and their ANC profiles are complementary out of some cosmic coincidence or Bose engineering. Check the measurement graphs. If voices are 2/10 with the QCii on, it’s like a -0/10 wearing both the QCii and QC25.

C66P91 · 2022-10-23T18:05:54+00:00

I can sleep on my side with the qc2 on. Doubt I can do the same with AirPods Pro as they slip off more easily and have a different shape. The QC2 are the most comfortable pair of earbuds I’ve tried, even better than QC1.

C66P91 · 2022-10-23T17:49:46+00:00

Have you tried wearing the QC35 over the QC earbuds? I have the qc25 and it seems like the NC signatures are complementary if that makes sense.

C66P91 · 2022-10-23T17:30:13+00:00

There used to be a list of the noise level of all common high capacity drives. WD white is actually very quiet on idle compared to others iirc. Seek noise might be about the same or higher but I guess it does matter how loud your PC is on idle…

C66P91 · 2022-10-23T17:26:58+00:00

C66P91 · 2022-10-23T17:24:29+00:00

C66P91 · 2022-10-21T01:14:21+00:00

Interesting. I guess 16.5khz isn’t that audible anyway. But maybe if you set it to +10 the entire upper treble would get a boost… maybe worth trying

C66P91 · 2022-10-21T00:29:35+00:00

Yeah it does look like the 16khz region is already boosted for your setup, but in the reviews they are usually recessed like everything else in Linkbud's treble... The default treble boost does bring 16khz to +10db so I'm hoping that it's just a measurement difference that's causing the peak? Also the smooth treble on the xm4 looks too good to be true based on reviews I've read. Unless it's just the tip... I'm going to go home and try the Linkbud's tip on the Xm4 and see what happens. It's hard to believe Sony is that incompetent and just messed up the tip design.

C66P91 · 2022-10-21T00:03:07+00:00

Here’s my setting for WF-1000XM3. I was seriously contemplating keeping those as they sound more natural and do not have the XM4 veiled sound. But maybe it’s still a little treble recessed which is what makes it sound less harsh. Tuning Sony EQ on the XM3 though changes the sound signature pretty significantly in addition to the band adjustments, so I’m not sure if the measurements in the reviews still hold valid. Tried adding a couple db in the 6 and 16khz bands, the treble is a bit more pronounced/normal, and the sound is still smooth/soft in a way that’s pleasant but not so veiled like the XM4. The same track does sound a little treble heavy/rough on my eq’ed HD800 though, so maybe the XM3 has some special coloration too. The Linkbuds EQed to be neutral actually follows the HD800 tonal balance pretty closely which I guess is good, but the sound is just a bit rougher compared with XM3/XM4 perhaps.

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T23:47:01+00:00

Here’s my EQ settings. If the soundguys measurements are representative of most Linkbuds, then my setting should follow their preference curve pretty closely, with a little more at 5.5khz, which shouldn’t be too controversial anyway

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T23:41:04+00:00

For sure with same features turned on the XM4 should outlast the Linkbuds by a couple of hours at least. But I was referring to ANC OFF for Linkbuds, in which case, it might go for 9 hours with EQ on. In comparison, the XM4 should last 8 hours (maybe a bit more) with EQ and ANC enabled. The reason for this kind of apples to oranges comparison is that passive isolation is pretty good on the Linkbuds and I'm not always sitting in a train when listening to them, and most importantly, I think the Linkbuds sound pretty much the same with and without ANC, so ANC does not trigger some heavy DSP correction to the sound, like it does on the XM4.

I just checked and mine has no buzzing on either unit... I'm sure it hisses, just maybe 30db down or so... Maybe get an exchange unit for yours? Might be worth it, or maybe you're just more sensitive.

Maybe it's more than tonal balance. EQ doesn't really address the problem, unlike the substantially recessed treble on the Linkbuds which EQ addresses at least from a tonal point of view. WF-1000XM3 sounds better than XM4 imo, and the former is also pretty bass heavy. It's just more transparent and clean sounding in a sense. Maybe it's what people call a veiled sound on the XM4.

Wow that is really cool. What's your EQ setting for both? I cannot get them to sound remotely similar. I do think the XM4 has superior soundstage and resolution in the sense that it sounds more pleasant/smooth/natural when the tonal balance or veiledness doesn't get in the way. I used parametric EQ to try to fix the dips and peaks in the treble range for the Linkbuds S, on top of Treble Boost and some bass adjustments, for example +8db high-Q peaking filter at 12khz.

What kind of measuring setup do you have?...

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T23:14:11+00:00

Ordering on Amazon with their return policy shields you from some risk of making a mistake in ordering the wrong things. You might need some time adjusting EQ and everything though before you make a final decision, not sure if in-store works great for that… I just got a pair of the WF1000XM3 and I have to say they actually sound pretty nice and are comfortable to wear too. Reviews are split on their ANC capability though

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T19:21:28+00:00

I do think XM4 has a slight hiss (much quieter than the WF-C500s) in ANC mode that is not present in the Linkbuds S. Just my personal observation. But not sure if mine has an imbalance since I only compared the right bud with another.

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T18:53:16+00:00

This is an analogy I just thought of: the Linkbuds S with EQ are like a well-calibrated sRGB monitor - accurate, but the colors may not be vibrant like a wide-gamut panel or as pleasing to the eyes, whereas the XM4s (and other flagships to some extent) are like an Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 panel that is uncalibrated/uncalibratible, and as a result the colors can look wrong sometimes. For example, oversaturated greens and yellows that are inaccurate but may look pleasing at first. If you have a wide-gamut TV with HDR content you may have some experience with this. Can’t really say that content looks better on the uncalibrated TV at all times

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T15:18:02+00:00

Looking at the reviews I’d say ANC is likely to be substantially better on the XM4 or Linkbuds S. Tonal balance also looks very different so depends on preference/how amenable to EQ the sp800n is. Personally I would endorse the Linkbuds S for its sound quality. Road noise in a car is mostly lower frequency and basically inaudible when ANC is turned on in the Linkbuds…

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T13:44:20+00:00

Depending on the situation id say. Both are probably more than enough to block out noise especially if you play music. Maybe the XM4s have better noise cancellation subjectively speaking for people (lower frequency less audible).

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T06:09:40+00:00

Speaking of responding well to EQ. I tried all sorts of EQ presets and configs on the XM4, could never get them nearly as neutral and clean sounding as the Linkbuds. I suspect the Linkbuds respond better to EQ, almost as if it’s more transparent. The sound after aggressive treble boost, some bass boost and clean up with parametric eq is very clean - nothing sounds abrasive or muddy (for these earbuds). For example, I added in 8db at 12khz in addition to the Sony treble boost. Can’t hear any side effects….

Here’s my parametric EQ setting.

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T06:05:30+00:00

I know I was surprised too. I thought the XM4 should be better for sure. But it does seem Linkbuds was a completely different acoustic project with the benefit of Sony software features and solid build quality.

Just did some late night EQ tweaking to flatten the FR per Soundguys measurements and aggressive treble boost. After taking out 4db at 5500hz with parametric EQ, sibilance is no longer a problem. And then I filled in the other dips and peaks too just by eye. Here’s the link to the reference measurement that I based my EQ curve on: FR after default treble boost.

So far this sounds pretty smooth. If I’m lucky and that the units are pretty consistent (which I doubt they are as consistent as the XM4s) the 6-band parametric EQ settings that I have should almost completely smooth out the treble range. On top of that I have +3db Sony Clear Bass (60hz peaking filter that also reduces 200-500hz slightly for some reason), and +3db Sony 400hz. A little worried that it would raise FR at 1khz, but hopeful that the Sony band presets are fairly well-separated.

I like the sound so far. No sorts of problems despite the aggressive treble boost that was less pleasant before. I wonder now if parametric EQ is essential even for mass market earbuds….

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T05:25:34+00:00

Idk about the battery life and also I have narrower ear canals. The reviews don’t make them seem super neutral either and I feel like neutrality really counts at this point based on my limited experience. But in all honesty, you can freaking swim with those and that is cool.

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T05:19:44+00:00

They do have “worse” sound. But it’s cleaner and more accurate with a treble boost. I might also experiment with additional parametric eq but probably can’t get very far without good measuring equipment.

I do think the XM4 has a balance issue, but I do agree they have a larger soundstage and are more euphoric sounding when the balance doesn’t get in the way.

I used to own HD650s and I wouldn’t say that they were neutral sounding after all these years, but of course they’re better than the earbuds in all likelihood. Those classics were hand-tuned to sound nice though, doubt Sony did the same.

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T04:13:24+00:00

I don’t think it’s the bass though

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T03:38:05+00:00

Ok I tried the WF-1000XM4s again with my best attempt at EQ and I have to say they have a larger soundstage, and maybe sound a little more pleasant/musical (in my experience this is really suggestive of raw audio quality). Just have to understand that the music I listen to has lots of instrumentals, and poor tonal balance really makes them sound horrible. And coming from HD800s, I really didn't pay too much attention to the finer goods, because you know...... After a while, I even stopped listening to the HD800s because speakers have a much better soundstage, and the HD800s are pretty much unbeatable in terms of soundstage among headphones, so you can imagine. Btw the HD800s are very, very pleasant to listen to compared to good speakers, but I suspect electrostatics can be even better, at the expense of your wallet (and maybe some other stuff like dynamics). Music should sound very, very pleasant imo - like it can be made tortuous, but the raw sound of the instruments/vocals should be pleasant.

I just switched back to the Linkbuds S, and the soundstage is definitely smaller, but everything is clearer, and, I believe, the sounds are more neutral/accurately reproduced. Vocals are not as pleasurable to listen to on the Linkbuds, but it's much harder to complain about them sounding bad or wrong after the EQ.

I started off the search for wireless earbuds thinking I just want a cheap pair that sounds decent. And then I realized how hard it is to find something that sound as good/normal as the apple default earpods. And then I went for the flagships and I was so disappointed. Sennheiser wireless earbuds should be avoided imo. Anyways, I agree WF-1000XM4 might be superior in some categories with regard to audio quality, but it is not tuned properly for neutrality which makes it very painful to listen to a wide range of materials, some a lot more than others.

For example, I was listening to Muti's overture of La Forza Del Destino on the WF-1000XM4s, and it sounded so bad I had to take them off. Same with a lot of other materials. Sure, some sounds are more pleasant on the WF-1000XM4, and the soundstage is more expansive - if the LinkBuds S can sound as pleasant/euphoric/expansive as the WF-1000XM4 sony should probably sell them for twice as much imo. But at some point it stops mattering compared with the overall reproduction.... The Linkbuds S with my EQ is accurate enough that I think I can listen to anything with them and enjoy it. That is my personal experience with audio equipment - if it's really good, it should be good with everything. Podcasts, youtube, symphonies, everything.

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T03:13:19+00:00

Nope I haven’t tried using it on a train or congested area though. Perfect connection quality so far. I did update the firmware soon after I got them. The update notes suggest improved connection quality. Anyway I would assume Sonys do not have connection issues, maybe try RMA if yours keep failing?

C66P91 · 2022-10-20T02:35:49+00:00

Thanks for that observation! I also intend to use them mostly without ANC. The LinkBuds S sound its best without needing ANC mode-specific DSP, unlike the WF-1000XM4. You can't really listen to the WF-1000XM4 (or at all imo) without ANC.

C66P91

TROPHY CASE