American audio powerhouse Bose has recently unveiled its latest trio of headphones, featuring the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. These new releases are set to replace the beloved Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, Bose QuietComfort 45, and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.
While the QuietComfort Headphones are already available for purchase on Bose’s online store, the two Ultra models are scheduled to hit the market in early October. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at each of these new offerings and what they bring to the table.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are poised to take the mantle as the brand’s flagship over-ear option. With a price tag of £450, they represent a premium choice, roughly £100 more expensive than similar models from Sony, Bowers & Wilkins, and Beats, but still more affordable than the Apple AirPods Max.
These headphones have undergone substantial engineering improvements, with a focus on enhancing active noise cancellation and call quality. One standout feature is Bose’s “Immersive Audio” technology, designed to envelop you in a wide soundstage that places you at the center of the audio experience. Unlike proprietary formats like Apple’s Spatial Audio and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, Bose Immersive Audio works seamlessly across all audio platforms and devices.
Immersive Audio offers two modes: “Still” and “Motion.” “Still” is perfect for stationary listening, keeping the audio fixed in one position, while “Motion” employs head tracking to ensure the sound remains in front of you even as you move around.
Additional noteworthy features include Bose’s CustomTune technology, which utilizes the headphones’ microphones to analyze how acoustic waves travel through your ears and adjust the output accordingly. There’s also Bose Aware Mode with ActiveSense, a transparency mode that can automatically activate noise cancellation if your surroundings become overwhelming.
The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones sport a sleek new design and can be conveniently folded flat for transport in their included carrying case. They offer both physical and touch controls, support high-resolution aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec via the Snapdragon Sound platform on compatible Android devices, and promise a battery life of up to 24 hours with Immersive Audio off and approximately 18 hours with it active.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the successors to the highly effective noise-cancelling earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, and come at a slightly higher price point of £300.
Similar to their over-ear counterparts, these earbuds support Bose Immersive Audio, CustomTune sound calibration, and Snapdragon Sound on Android devices. They also utilize dynamic mic mixing and adaptive filters to enhance voice pickup, even in windy conditions.
With Immersive Audio turned off, you can expect around six hours of in-ear listening. This figure drops to four hours when using Bose’s new spatial processing feature. While these earbuds don’t come with wireless charging by default, Bose is set to release a wireless charging case cover for £50 starting October 20th.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Completing Bose’s new lineup are the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, succeeding the Bose QuietComfort 45. Bose has addressed a significant complaint with their predecessors by allowing users to manually adjust the level of noise cancellation and create custom ANC modes, instead of limiting them to “Quiet” and “Aware” modes.
The new QC Headphones feature Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, offer a remarkable battery life of up to 24 hours, and include an audio cable with an in-line microphone—a rarity among premium over-ear noise-cancelling headphones.
These headphones are currently available for purchase from Bose, priced at £350. They are available in Black and White Smoke variants, as well as a limited-edition Cypress Green.
In conclusion, Bose’s latest headphone lineup offers a diverse range of options, catering to various preferences and needs, whether you’re a fan of over-ear headphones, earbuds, or somewhere in between. Stay tuned for our upcoming reviews of these exciting new audio devices.
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