Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 210 g | 240 g |
| Driver size | 45 mm | 35 mm |
| Active noise cancellation | false | true |
| Multipoint | false | true |
| Battery life | 0 h | 24 h |
Between the ATH-R70xa and QuietComfort SC, the ATH-R70xa comes out ahead in weight / driver size, while the QuietComfort SC wins on active noise cancellation / multipoint. Overall, the ATH-R70xa scores 54.7 and the QuietComfort SC scores 70.2 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The QuietComfort SC is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 15.5 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the ATH-R70xa if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight, driver size. The single most decisive one: Weight — 30.00 g less. 210 vs 240.
Pick the QuietComfort SC if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are active noise cancellation, multipoint, battery life. The single most decisive one: Has Active noise cancellation.
Both ship with comparable spatial audio, ldac, water resistance, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the QuietComfort SC is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa or Bose - QuietComfort SC?
Bose - QuietComfort SC leads the current Mars Score by 15.5 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare driver size, battery life, weight against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa if…
Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa has the measurable edge on weight g, driver size mm.
Choose Bose - QuietComfort SC if…
Bose - QuietComfort SC has the measurable edge on has anc, has multipoint, battery life h.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa wins
- ▲Weight — 30.00 g less. 210 vs 240.
- ▲Driver size — 28.57% more. 45 mm vs 35 mm.
Why Bose - QuietComfort SC wins
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
- ▲Battery life: 24 h vs 0 h.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 210 glead | 240 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 45 mmlead | 35 mm |
| Impedanceⓘ | 470 Ωlead | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 99 dBlead | 98 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | false | truelead |
| Transparency mode | false | truelead |
| Spatial audioⓘ | false | false |
Battery
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Battery lifeⓘ | 0 h | 24 hlead |
| Fast chargeⓘ | false | truelead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa | Bose - QuietComfort SC |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 0 | 5.1lead |
| Multipointⓘ | false | truelead |
| 3.5mm jack | true | true |
| LDACⓘ | false | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | false | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, ATH-R70xa or QuietComfort SC?+
QuietComfort SC lasts 24 hours vs 0 hours.
Do ATH-R70xa or QuietComfort SC have active noise cancellation?+
QuietComfort SC has active noise cancellation; ATH-R70xa does not.
Which supports LDAC, ATH-R70xa or QuietComfort SC?+
Neither supports LDAC.