Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Get Major Second Generation Upgrade
Bose has unveiled the second generation of its flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, delivering a substantial set of improvements to its premium noise-canceling model. The update brings enhanced audio performance, better active noise cancellation, and significantly longer battery life, all while maintaining the original 449 dollar price point.
The most significant upgrades are in the sound department. For the first time, these headphones support lossless audio playback when connected via a wired USB-C connection. This allows for high-quality 16-bit audio at 44.1kHz or 48kHz, a feature that also serves as a low-latency solution for desktop or mobile gaming.
Bose has also expanded its Immersive Audio feature, which is the company’s proprietary spatial audio technology that works with any content. A new Cinema mode has been added, designed to create a movie theater-like experience by spatializing and balancing background sounds with other audio effects. This creates a wider soundstage that feels like it is placed in front of the listener, significantly enhancing dialogue clarity. This makes the mode suitable not just for films and TV shows, but also for podcasts and audiobooks.
General audio quality has also been refined. Bose promises deeper bass at high volumes, more natural-sounding treble, and consistent clarity even with loud content. The company has also worked to reduce the self-noise generated by the ANC technology, making it less noticeable in quiet environments.
The active noise cancellation system itself has been improved, mirroring the update seen on the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. In Aware mode, which lets environmental sound in, the headphones now handle sudden loud noises like sirens more gracefully with smoother adjustments to the noise-canceling levels. Users now have more control, with the ability to either disable ANC completely or manually adjust its intensity to their preference.
Battery life sees a major boost. Users can now expect up to 30 hours of playback with ANC enabled, a notable increase. If you turn noise cancellation off entirely, that runtime extends to 45 hours. Even when using the battery-intensive Immersive Audio feature constantly, the headphones will last for up to 24 hours. For convenience, the USB-C port allows for charging while in use. New power-saving features include an automatic standby mode that activates when the headphones are laid flat or folded into their case. Improved wear detection also ensures the headphones power on automatically when placed on your head.
Aesthetically, Bose has made a subtle change by replacing the flat finish on the headband yokes with polished metal. The color options have been expanded to include two new choices: Driftwood Sand, which is a tan color, and Midnight Violet, a deep purple. They join the classic black and white options.
The second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are available for preorder starting today directly from Bose. The official release date for general availability is set for October 2, with the price holding steady at 449 dollars.
