7KLVGRHVPHDQWKHUH¶VQHYHUDQ\WUXH$1&2̆PRGH
for the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. Mode 0 uses
the ambient mics, and Modes 1 to 9 are varying degrees
RIWKH$1&PL[HGLQZLWKWKRVHPLFV%\/HYHOWKH
DPELHQWPLFVDUHQRWLQWKHPL[5HJDUGOHVVHLWKHUWKH
ambient mics or the ANC are always active, and the
only way to disable them completely is to turn the
KHDGSKRQHVR̆DQGXVHWKHPLQSDVVLYHPRGHZKLFK
D̆HFWVWKHDXGLRSHUIRUPDQFHGUDPDWLFDOO\
Bose developed a mic array system that focuses on your
voice and rejects nearby ambient noise, which not only
makes for clearer phone calls but also results in more
ḢFLHQWGLJLWDODVVLVWDQWYRLFHFRPPXQLFDWLRQ,WDOVR
R̆HUVH[FHOOHQWFDOOLQWHOOLJLELOLW\8VLQJWKH9RLFH
0HPRVDSSRQDQL3KRQHZHFRXOGXQGHUVWDQGHYHU\
word we recorded clearly and crisply. Hints of
%OXHWRRWKDXGLRDUWLIDFWVVWLOOIX]]XSWKHHGJHVEXW
background noise is no longer an issue, even in windy
or noisy environments.
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
On tracks with intense sub-bass content, such as The
Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the Noise Cancelling
Headphones 700 deliver powerful low-frequency depth
while also sculpting the highs to balance things out. At
top, the bass doesn’t distort. This isn’t a sound
signature for purists, but bass lovers will be pleased.
Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with far less deep bass
LQWKHPL[JLYHVXVDEHWWHUVHQVHRIWKH1RLVH
Cancelling Headphones 700’s general sound signature.
The drums on this track sound almost thunderous—
they aren’t quite over the top, but they have more bass
presence than is strictly accurate. Thankfully, the bass
is balanced out with crisp high-mid and high-frequency
SUHVHQFHNHHSLQJWKLQJVFOHDUDQGGH¿QHGUDWKHUWKDQ
muddled by the low and low-mid richness.
Using the Voice
Memos app on
an iPhone 8,
we could
understand
every word we
recorded
clearly and
crisply.