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Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2017
Bose

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2017

84
/ 100
From $349
VS
Focal Celestee wins by 4
Focal Celestee — Closed-back
Focal

Focal Celestee

Closed-back

88
/ 100
From $999
Specdex verdict

Focal Celestee takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black lands at 84 and Focal Celestee at 88. That puts Focal Celestee ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Focal Celestee if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Focal Celestee

Tuning, detail, and staging

Focal Celestee leads on sound (88 vs 84).

Noise cancelling

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black leads on anc (82 vs 0).

Comfort

Focal Celestee

Long-session wearability

Focal Celestee leads on comfort (88 vs 83).

Value for money

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($349 vs $999).

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black 84
vs
88 Focal Celestee

Score breakdown

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black
84
anc 82
sound 84
comfort 83
battery 82
features 80
Focal Celestee
88
anc 0
sound 88
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black versus Focal Celestee — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black Focal Celestee
Type
Over-ear
Closed-back
Release year
2017
—

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Focal Celestee

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

FAQ: Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black vs Focal Celestee

Which is better, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Focal Celestee? +

Focal Celestee scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $349, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in sound.

Is Focal Celestee worth the price? +

At $999, Focal Celestee delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in battery.

Does Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Focal Celestee last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Focal Celestee? +

Focal Celestee — leads on sound (88 vs 84). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black or Focal Celestee? +

Bose QC 35 II · Midnight Black — leads on anc (82 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.