Bose took a special strategy with its new merchandise in 2025. As an alternative of totally redesigning its QuietComfort Ultra lineup, the corporate unveiled upgraded second-generation fashions of the flagship-level earbuds and headphones. Just like the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds that debuted earlier this yr, the brand new Quiet Comfort Ultra headphones ($449) don’t provide a complete overhaul. Nevertheless, the adjustments present sufficient efficiency enhancements to additional cement these as the best noise-canceling headphones that you could purchase proper now. Belief me, we’re significantly better off with this revamped model than we’d be with a yr (or longer) anticipate one thing model new with the 2023 mannequin.
What’s new on the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones?
Bose debuted just a few new options on the second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in August that it carried over to those new headphones. First, the corporate improved its already stellar lively noise cancelation (ANC) with tweaks to its ActiveSense expertise. Particularly, the system can reply to sudden spikes in environmental noise by adapting extra exactly. It’s not one thing you’ll discover on a regular basis, however while you want it, you’ll be glad it is there. In any other case, the superb ANC efficiency right here is simply as efficient because it was on the earlier mannequin. Extra on that in a bit.
The immersive Cinema Mode that Bose added to the QC Extremely Earbuds can also be accessible on these headphones. It’s a sound profile that enhances dialogue readability whereas protecting the remainder of the soundstage as broad and enveloping as potential. I prefer it finest for motion pictures and TV, because the title suggests, however per Bose’s suggestion I additionally tried it with podcasts and audiobooks. Cinema Mode might be overkill for these forms of content material, until you’re listening to exhibits or titles with numerous background results.
One of many largest adjustments on the second-gen QC Extremely Headphones is how Bose determined to deal with energy administration. Most significantly, the corporate prolonged battery life in all use instances. With ANC on (and Immersive Audio off), you’ll stand up to 30 hours of listening time. Flip off ANC and that jumps to 45 hours. Whenever you resolve to allow each ANC and Bose’s spatial Immersive Audio, you possibly can count on as much as 23 hours on a cost. In comparison with these on the first-generation mannequin, all of those numbers are up by at the least 5 hours, which is a big increase.
Just like the earlier QC Extremely Headphones, this mannequin has an computerized disconnection characteristic after 10 minutes of standby . However the firm went a step additional on this model by including a low-power mode that the headphones enter after half-hour of idle time. And if you wish to disconnect them rapidly, you possibly can rotate the earcups and lay them on a flat floor. That’ll make them go right into a deeper standby mode that Bose says can run “for months.” All of this implies you possibly can successfully flip the brand new QuietComfort Extremely Headphones on and off by placing them on and taking them off. In case you’re utilizing them repeatedly, you’ll by no means must press the ability button.
Sound-wise, the massive improve on these headphones is the addition of lossless audio over USB-C. Like the AirPods Max, this mannequin will be linked with a cable to your cellphone, pill, laptop computer or desktop to stream or play higher-quality tunes from suitable providers or your library. Bose says you possibly can count on 16-bit 44.1kHz or 48kHz audio relying in your supply. It’s yet one more nice-to-have characteristic that’s changing into normal fare on premium wi-fi headphones.
What else is nice concerning the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones?
Like most Bose over-ear headphones, the second-gen QuietComfort Extremely Headphones are supremely snug. Even for lengthy durations of time, they by no means turn into a burden, and that’s thanks largely to the mushy, pillowy ear pads. I might simply put on these for a whole trans-Atlantic flight with minimal discomfort and I’ve been carrying them for complete workdays at dwelling.
As I already talked about, the ANC efficiency right here continues to be top-tier. In truth, these QC Extremely Headphones will quickly substitute the first-gen mannequin on our best noise-canceling headphones listing. Each the Immersion (ANC + spatial audio) and Quiet (simply ANC) modes present strong noise blocking that surpasses these by Sony, Sennheiser and others. In case you’re making your shopping for determination based mostly solely on ANC efficiency, that is the most suitable choice. You’ll get pleasure from aid from fixed ambient noise sources like followers and sound machines, plus the QC Extremely Headphones do a good job with human voices. Heck, I couldn’t even hear my canine barking on the imminent menace from falling leaves outdoors.
Lastly, Bose’s tackle spatial audio continues to be fairly good. The corporate calls it Immersive Audio and the characteristic doesn’t depend on specialised content material like different headphones. Music sounds clearly fuller and barely louder when the sound profile is lively because of Bose’s technique for upscaling stereo content material. There’s additionally enhanced vocal readability and components like percussion and synths are much less compressed than regular. The headphones lend a very ethereal really feel to the tracks of Ruston Kelly’s Pale, By way of the Window, an acoustic-driven assortment of soulful, country-tinged tunes. His vocals float atop enveloping acoustic guitars and tight, punchy drums.
What’s not so good concerning the QC Extremely Headphones?
The most important concern with the second-gen QuietComfort Extremely Headphones is the value. To be clear, the likes of Sony, Apple and others cost across the similar quantity for his or her top-of-the-line fashions, however $449 continues to be a big funding. If that’s too steep for you, Bose has the extremely succesful QuietComfort Headphones in its arsenal for a barely extra palatable $359.
My different gripe is that the one actual design change Bose made for the up to date QC Extremely Headphones is that the metallic headband yokes now have a gloss end. Relying in your private choice, this may be a dealbreaker for you. It’s least noticeable on the black and violet colorways, since these have a tone-on-tone look. After just a few weeks with the bronze and tan Driftwood Sand hue, I’m not a fan of the extra stylized aesthetic. It’s flashy, for certain, nevertheless it’s a tweak I might’ve achieved with out.
Wrap-up
Just like the second-gen QC Extremely Earbuds over the summer time, Bose didn’t make enormous upgrades for the up to date model of the QC Extremely Headphones. However what you do get here’s a respectable enchancment over its predecessor. The corporate devised an intuitive setup for energy administration and even addressed considered one of my principal gripes with the unique by including help for lossless audio over USB-C. Plus, the prolonged battery life is important in all sound modes, and never simply by an hour or two right here or there. To high all of it off, the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones stay the most suitable choice for pure noise-blocking skill, and that’s not more likely to change any time quickly.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-2nd-gen-review-impactful-upgrades-to-a-familiar-formula-150000709.html?src=rss
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