Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Bose QuietComfort 20 ranks #468 of 668 in-ear headphones by sound quality; the Bose QuietComfort 25 ranks #135 of 308 over-ear headphones by sound quality.
What the Bose QuietComfort 20 does well: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 69 with a 2.63 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Why pick the Bose QuietComfort 25: Measured response gives it a very good Harman preference score of 77 with a 2.25 dB spread. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
One note: the Bose QuietComfort 20 is discontinued and no longer widely available new.
Buy the Bose QuietComfort 20 if you want a in-ear headphones. Buy the Bose QuietComfort 25 if you want a over-ear headphones instead.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose QuietComfort 20 | Bose QuietComfort 25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #468 of 668 in In-Ear Headphones | #135 of 308 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | Over-ear |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 77 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.63 dB standard deviation | 2.25 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.55 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Back | - | Closed |
| Weight | - | 0.4 lbs (196 g) |
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- Bose QuietComfort 20 vs Bose QuietComfort 45
- Bose QuietComfort 20 vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II
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The Two Headphones In Full
Bose QuietComfort 20 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 69 with a 2.63 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. A 5.6 dB peak near 7.5 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Full Bose QuietComfort 20 review and specifications →
| Released | 2013 (13 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.63 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 154 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 888 Hz | +5.7 dB | 1.32 |
| Peak | 1,798 Hz | -5.3 dB | 2.41 |
| Peak | 5,947 Hz | +4.8 dB | 3.69 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,134 Hz | -3.1 dB | 4.32 |
| Peak | 37 Hz | -1.0 dB | 2.29 |
| Peak | 209 Hz | +0.3 dB | 1.78 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.44 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bose QuietComfort 25 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Measured response gives it a very good Harman preference score of 77 with a 2.25 dB spread. Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. A 5.9 dB peak near 6.1 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Full Bose QuietComfort 25 review and specifications →
| Released | 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.25 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.55 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (196 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +11.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 44 Hz | -11.3 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 8,885 Hz | +3.1 dB | 2.73 |
| Peak | 6,317 Hz | -5.7 dB | 5.73 |
| Peak | 471 Hz | +2.1 dB | 4.74 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,321 Hz | -2.2 dB | 3.62 |
| Peak | 2,242 Hz | -1.8 dB | 2.57 |
| Peak | 3,113 Hz | +3.6 dB | 5.38 |
| Peak | 3,879 Hz | -2.0 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons