Bose QC 35 II
Over-ear · 2017
HiFiMan Edition XS
Planar magnetic
HiFiMan Edition XS takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC 35 II lands at 84 and HiFiMan Edition XS at 88. That puts HiFiMan Edition XS ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Bose QC 35 II if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick HiFiMan Edition XS if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
HiFiMan Edition XSTuning, detail, and staging
HiFiMan Edition XS leads on sound (88 vs 84).
Noise cancelling
Bose QC 35 IIANC strength for commute and travel
Bose QC 35 II leads on anc (82 vs 0).
Comfort
HiFiMan Edition XSLong-session wearability
HiFiMan Edition XS leads on comfort (88 vs 83).
Value for money
Bose QC 35 IISpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Bose QC 35 II more score per dollar ($349 vs $499).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QC 35 II | HiFiMan Edition XS |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Planar magnetic |
| Release year | 2017 | — |
Bose QC 35 II
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
HiFiMan Edition XS
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
FAQ: Bose QC 35 II vs HiFiMan Edition XS
Which is better, Bose QC 35 II or HiFiMan Edition XS? +
HiFiMan Edition XS scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QC 35 II worth the price? +
At $349, Bose QC 35 II delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in sound.
Is HiFiMan Edition XS worth the price? +
At $499, HiFiMan Edition XS delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in battery.
Does Bose QC 35 II or HiFiMan Edition XS 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 or HiFiMan Edition XS? +
HiFiMan Edition XS — leads on sound (88 vs 84). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC 35 II or HiFiMan Edition XS? +
Bose QC 35 II — leads on anc (82 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.