Bose headphones are one of the most popular brands out on the market today, and it is their ANC technology that keeps them there. That’s no different with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) over-ear headphones. These are still likely the pair of headphones you want if you’re looking for superior ANC. Though I have criticized Bose’s soundstaging over the years, and they are making moves in improving that part of the equation.
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The 1st Gen of these headphones was a big improvement in soundstaging and I think Bose is continuing to make improvements in this area. Undoubtedly, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are still in the ruling class of ANC headphones, but are they getting closer to capturing the same accolades in the sound department? Let’s find out in the full review of this 2nd generation headphone.
Bose crushes ANC technology. Hands down, they are in the top three best ANC tech companies on the market. This is precisely why they do so well in sales. People who want to cancel the noise, especially on planes, gravitate towards Bose. So in terms of ANC, you cannot go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen.). In terms of soundstaging and sound quality, Bose has made massive strides with this model and last year’s model. I still think there’s room for improvement, but they are good. These are pricey, though, so you’re going to have to choose what matters to you.
The bottom line on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen.: These are a top pick if you’re looking for one of the best-performing ANC headphones. There are other better-sounding headphones in this price range, but those generally are worse for ANC. So if ANC is your top need, these are for you. Here are a few of my likes and dislikes for these headphones.
Overall, if you’re looking at ANC as your primary need. You cannot go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen. These are some of the best headphones out there; it just depends on what’s most important to you as to what you should buy.
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The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are still a minimal design that doesn’t go over the top. But they are a little more flamboyant than the first gen, with the ear stalks now coming in a glossy finish. These shiny additions do give the headphones a bit of a more premium look, and I do love this new Midnight Violet color. The build quality is great, and the comfort is excellent. I do think that some of Bose’s competitors do a better job of design and materials used, but these are still premium-looking and feeling headphones.
The best part of this case is just how slim it is. It is one of the slimmest cases I’ve ever used, and it fits much better in my backpack than my Focal Bathys case. It’s actually significantly slimmer. I really loved this because it allows me to free up space in my backpack when traveling.
The case is made of a synthetic material that feels like leather, and the Bose logo is nicely on the front. The zipper has a nice pull to it, and it appears that it has some weather protection to help keep water at bay. It’s not waterproof, but small splashes shouldn’t be an issue. There is a little flap on the spine where you could attach a carabiner so you can hook the case to things. Opening the case up reveals the molded area for the headphones and a small mesh pouch for your AUX and USB-C cable. It’s a nice case; the best part about it is how slim it is.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones themselves are nicely folded in the case, with Bose branding on the earcups. The headphones are made up of a mixture of plastic, aluminum, and leather, all of which are premium-looking and premium-feeling. The actual shape and look of the headphones is familiar and very Bose-like, which isn’t a bad thing. Though maybe it’s time for a new look? I don’t know; you tell me.
Removing the headphones reveals that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are super lightweight. This is fantastic if you’re carrying these around a lot or listening to a lot of content. The removable earpads are super comfortable, and the ear openings are sufficient. I say sufficient because I have larger ears; these cups rest just at the bottom of my lobes. For me, the openings could have been slightly larger, but not a dealbreaker. I do feel like they did get slightly larger from last year.
The earpads are removable and replaceable — points for that. The headband is very comfy and cushy, and I was able to wear these without any fatigue on the top of my head or the sides of my head. The inner part of the earcups on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are angled to your head so that the sound projects better.
The arms adjust smoothly, and the headphones fold into themselves as well as fold flat. The headband also pivots, which is why these have a comfortable clamping force. The left earcup houses the AUX port, USB-C port, and microphones. The right earcup houses the Bluetooth button, multifunction/power button, and more microphones. There is also a touch area for adjusting volume.
Overall, the design of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 is great; it’s minimal and stays true to the design language Bose is known for. I would have liked a bit more flair to maybe show these are something special. But perhaps going low-key is what Bose users want?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are about as simple as it gets for headphones. They have a mix of physical buttons and a touchpad for volume. I don’t normally like touch controls, but this touchpad is placed just under the curve of the earcup, and it is easy to use, and I never hit it accidentally.
Pairing up to the app and Bluetooth is simple and straightforward, and you don’t even need to use the app if you don’t want to. Though that is recommended, especially for firmware updates and other controls. It used to be apps were mostly optional, but that is changing. Overall, these are straightforward to use, and I don’t have to say much more than that.
The app is pretty straightforward with controls for ANC and other modes, as well as a basic EQ and presets. I do love the auto-pause feature when you take the headphones off. The modes are worth mentioning, and here’s what you should expect from them.
Overall, the app included with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 is straightforward and provides a decent amount of control and is the place you need to go for firmware updates.
Last year’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones really impressed me in the sound department. I had always felt Bose paid less attention to sound detail and instead focused mostly on ANC. Last year, that really did change, and this year, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen takes over where the 1st Gen left off.
As I have mentioned, ANC is the key feature of any Bose headphone. As it should be. It is, after all, the company’s bread and butter. So the ANC here is spot on as usual. There’s really not a lot to say about it other than it simply works. Yes, Sony and Apple both closely compete, but Bose still does it the best.
The sound of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones is excellent. Last year, I felt they leaned too far into the bass, out of the box. But this year, I am getting a more balanced experience from the sound experience. I feel like Bose is really trying to tune themselves to a more balanced and natural soundstage. I do still have a preferred headphone for listening to high-quality tracks on Qobuz, but these were spectacular as well.
The more flat EQ provides users the opportunity to hear music as the artist intended, but then you do have an EQ option if you want to raise the bass. The EQ is disappointing, though, as it only has 3 bands, and it would be nice to have more granular control.
Again, this year’s Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 is excellent in clarity. There is so much improvement in sound over the past two models that I think Bose is finally seeing the competition as a threat. The balance across the board is really well done.
To my ears, Bose is still tuning the soundstage a bit more to the bass side. It’s not as prominent or as heavy as in the past, though, and I feel like they’re balancing things out with adjustments to the mids and highs and not just solely sliding bass up. So many other brands favor a bass tuning; that’s all they do. Slam the bass up and crush everything else. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, at least, is not crushing the rest of the frequencies.
Overall, this 2nd generation offering is really a great improvement in sound. I do wish Bose would disclose the technology, like ohms, impedance, and frequency response, of its drivers, but alas, we do not get that info. Still. The QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are excellent-sounding headphones.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen advertises play for up to 30 hours in Quiet and Aware Mode (23 with Immersive Audio). These advertised numbers are correct, as I was able to get around 28 hours of battery life. I actually think this is an improvement over the 1st gen. Battery life is highly dependent on how you use them. If you’re using Immersive Mode, your battery will drain faster.
Clocking in at USD 449, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen are not cheap. The highest value here is the world-class ANC tech Bose uses. It’s really among the best, if not the best. These are well worth that convenience and feature. If you’re hunting for the absolute best sound you can get, there are other options, but the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen is no slouch in this area either.
The bottom line on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen.: These are a top pick if you’re looking for one of the best-performing ANC headphones. There are other better-sounding headphones in this price range, but those generally are worse for ANC. So if ANC is your top need, these are for you. Here are a few of my likes and dislikes for these headphones.
Overall, if you’re looking at ANC as your primary need. You cannot go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen. These are some of the best headphones out there; it just depends on what’s most important to you as to what you should buy.
Bose crushes ANC technology. Hands down, they are in the top three best ANC tech companies on the market. This is precisely why they do so well in sales. People who want to cancel the noise, especially on planes, gravitate towards Bose. So in terms of ANC, you cannot go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen.). In terms of soundstaging and sound quality, Bose has made massive strides with this model and last year’s model. I still think there’s room for improvement, but they are good. These are pricey, though, so you’re going to have to choose what matters to you.
