Bose QC 35 II
Over-ear · 2017
Sennheiser HD 58X
Open-back
Sennheiser HD 58X takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC 35 II lands at 84 and Sennheiser HD 58X at 86. That puts Sennheiser HD 58X ahead by 2 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 Sennheiser HD 58X 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
Sennheiser HD 58XTuning, detail, and staging
Sennheiser HD 58X leads on sound (86 vs 84).
Noise cancelling
Bose QC 35 IIANC strength for commute and travel
Bose QC 35 II leads on anc (82 vs 0).
Comfort
Sennheiser HD 58XLong-session wearability
Sennheiser HD 58X leads on comfort (88 vs 83).
Value for money
Sennheiser HD 58XSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sennheiser HD 58X more score per dollar ($169 vs $349).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QC 35 II | Sennheiser HD 58X |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Open-back |
| 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
Sennheiser HD 58X
- +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 Sennheiser HD 58X
Which is better, Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 58X? +
Sennheiser HD 58X scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. 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 Sennheiser HD 58X worth the price? +
At $169, Sennheiser HD 58X delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in battery.
Does Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 58X 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 Sennheiser HD 58X? +
Sennheiser HD 58X — leads on sound (86 vs 84). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 58X? +
Bose QC 35 II — leads on anc (82 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.