Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

3

Time Required

Suggest a time??

Sections

1

  • REAL vs. FAKE Bose QC20i circuit board comparison
  • 3 steps

Flags

2

In Progress

This guide is a work in progress. Reload periodically to see the latest changes!

Member-Contributed Guide

An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.

  • BackBose QC20

  • Full Screen

  • Options

  • History

  • Save to Favorites

  • Download PDF

  • Edit

  • Translate

  • Get Shareable Link

  • Embed This Guide

  • Notify Me of Changes

  • Stop Notifications

Introduction

Also, thanks to Jordan Ditzler for his YouTube video on how to tell the difference between fakes and real without disassembly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLgD9tOS

Step 1

              REAL vs. FAKE Bose QC20i  circuit board comparison               
  • These are REAL Bose QC20 circuit boards. Notice the large chokes (highlighted)
  • Note that there are 3 connections (black, white and red) from battery to the board.
  • Also, notice the battery connections (blk, wht, red wires) have white glue connecting them to the board.

These are REAL Bose QC20 circuit boards. Notice the large chokes (highlighted)

Note that there are 3 connections (black, white and red) from battery to the board.

Also, notice the battery connections (blk, wht, red wires) have white glue connecting them to the board.

1024

Step 2

  • These are photos of a FAKE Bose QC20 circuit board.
  • Notice simple circuit compared to real.
  • Battery has only 2 connections, and they are not in the right place.
  • Also, notice there are no chokes on the board as there were in the real circuit board.
  • The four solder points (left in first photo) and bottom (second photo) are where the headphone jack broke off of the controller on my first use.

These are photos of a FAKE Bose QC20 circuit board.

Notice simple circuit compared to real.

Battery has only 2 connections, and they are not in the right place.

Also, notice there are no chokes on the board as there were in the real circuit board.

The four solder points (left in first photo) and bottom (second photo) are where the headphone jack broke off of the controller on my first use.

Step 3

  • So, if you were unlucky enough to have bought fake Bose QC20s, and your headphone jack broke off, here is the correct rewiring. Top to bottom: Green, Red, Yellow Black.
  • (I got my money back from the seller – hope you can too!)

So, if you were unlucky enough to have bought fake Bose QC20s, and your headphone jack broke off, here is the correct rewiring. Top to bottom: Green, Red, Yellow Black.

(I got my money back from the seller – hope you can too!)

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

Author

                                      with 2 other contributors 

                    RichB89600                     

Member since: 01/01/2017

277 Reputation

                                      2 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       3

james essex - Jan 10, 2019

Reply

hello, I have these head phones and the aware mode button does not work, this seems to be a common issue among owners. I was wondering if you new where the problem might be as you have seen the inside. the common problem happens after a wile of ownership and without any knocks or physical damage.

cheers James

RichB89600 - Mar 12, 2019

Reply

Sorry, no idea.

rzvanburlacu - May 9, 2020

Reply

hello !!! what are those large chokes for ?I broke the flex contector of those 2 large chokes.THank you