Bose QC 35 II
Over-ear · 2017
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
Open-back
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC 35 II lands at 84 and Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro at 88. That puts Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro 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 Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro 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
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 ProTuning, detail, and staging
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro 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
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 ProLong-session wearability
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro 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 $599).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QC 35 II | Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
- +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 Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
Which is better, Bose QC 35 II or Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro? +
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro 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 Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro worth the price? +
At $599, Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in battery.
Does Bose QC 35 II or Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro 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 Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro? +
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro — leads on sound (88 vs 84). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC 35 II or Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro? +
Bose QC 35 II — leads on anc (82 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.