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Bose QuietComfort Headphones — Over-ear · 2023
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Over-ear · 2023

90
/ 100
From $349
VS
Bose QuietComfort Headphones wins by 2
Focal Celestee · Midnight Black — Closed-back
Focal

Focal Celestee · Midnight Black

Closed-back

88
/ 100
From $999
Specdex verdict

Bose QuietComfort Headphones takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Headphones lands at 90 and Focal Celestee · Midnight Black at 88. That puts Bose QuietComfort Headphones ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QuietComfort Headphones if…

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

Pick Focal Celestee · Midnight Black 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

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QuietComfort Headphones leads on sound (90 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QuietComfort Headphones leads on anc (88 vs 0).

Comfort

Tie

Long-session wearability

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QuietComfort Headphones more score per dollar ($349 vs $999).

Bose QuietComfort Headphones 90
vs
88 Focal Celestee · Midnight Black

Score breakdown

Bose QuietComfort Headphones
90
anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86
Focal Celestee · Midnight Black
88
anc 0
sound 88
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Bose QuietComfort Headphones versus Focal Celestee · Midnight Black — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QuietComfort Headphones Focal Celestee · Midnight Black
Type
Over-ear
Closed-back
Release year
2023
—

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

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 · Midnight Black

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 QuietComfort Headphones vs Focal Celestee · Midnight Black

Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Headphones or Focal Celestee · Midnight Black? +

Bose QuietComfort Headphones scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QuietComfort Headphones worth the price? +

At $349, Bose QuietComfort Headphones delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.

Is Focal Celestee · Midnight Black worth the price? +

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

Does Bose QuietComfort Headphones or Focal Celestee · Midnight Black 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 QuietComfort Headphones or Focal Celestee · Midnight Black? +

Bose QuietComfort Headphones — leads on sound (90 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QuietComfort Headphones or Focal Celestee · Midnight Black? +

Bose QuietComfort Headphones — leads on anc (88 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.