So true!! I also have the XM3 in addition to the QC35ii. So whatever I get next should be an upgrade for sure. Even though the headphones I have now are good, I’m still itching for even better noise cancelling quality. I feel like I still struggle with noise bleed when out and about on the train and stuff.

I tried QC 45, XM5, and XM4 at an electronic store near me. I was really impressed with the XM5 in terms of sound and ANC. QC 45 sounded good, better in the higher-mid range. XM4 sounded better with songs that had heavy bass. The QC 45 and XM4 had the same pros and cons that I experience with the 35 ii and XM3 but with slightly better ANC and sound quality. So ultimately a very hard decision to make with all 3 of them! I feel like you can’t really know what headphone suits you best until you actually bring them home and try them out, but that’s not a very accessible thing to do.

Thank you for your insight! You make good points. I hesitate with buying refurbished electronics. In the past when I’ve done that there’s always been something wrong with them. New products will always last longer and be more worth the investment. But it is still an option.

I was worried about them discontinuing their products because the XM5 is so different from the 4, if they continue to move in that direction, they will quickly disregard the 4 and its predecessors. Having headphones I am already very used to and that fold for travel is helpful for me.

And yeah I’ll definitely get new ear pads for the Bose if I decide to keep using them.