I had barely begun my usual trek home from work—perhaps sixty seconds into my walk—when a sudden realization struck me with the subtlety of a revelation: I couldn’t hear a single thing. There I was, standing in the heart of Manhattan, just off the bustling sidewalks of Union Square, surrounded by the constant urban cacophony of shouting pedestrians, impatient car horns, and the relentless hammering of construction, yet my entire world had gone blissfully silent. The symphony of city chaos had been deftly erased, replaced by an otherworldly stillness. Somehow, this absence of sound felt exhilarating. And to be fair, when you’re wearing a pair of wireless headphones that quite literally put the word “quiet” in their name, such tranquil isolation is precisely what you should expect.
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have long stood as a benchmark for leading-edge active noise cancellation—commonly known as ANC—and the second-generation $449 model continues that tradition with unwavering confidence. If anything, the improvements have refined an already masterful formula. In the same way that Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) remain my go-to travel companions for any airplane flight, the over-ear QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) now stand as my preferred weapon of choice for tuning out even the most apocalyptic of background noise. Noise cancellation may not be the only criterion for evaluating a pair of wireless headphones, yet if pure, undisturbed quiet sits at the top of your priority list, Bose’s latest offering delivers precisely that experience.
These new headphones maintain Bose’s enviable reputation for combining pristine ANC performance with solid sound quality. Their ability to block out environmental clamor is unmatched. Even in a packed coffee shop filled with chattering patrons, clinking mugs, and music humming from overhead speakers, the world fades to near-silence the moment these headphones embrace your ears. The same miracle occurs on the subway, where screeching tracks and droning engines transform into a distant murmur. It sometimes feels as if you’ve been sealed in a serene bubble—a perfectly engineered cocoon where only your chosen audio exists. Of course, prudence suggests moderation; you shouldn’t wear these when cycling or navigating traffic, but in any safe, stationary setting, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones perform their quieting magic flawlessly.
The company attributes this almost surreal level of silence to serious scientific ingenuity. Bose explains that the development of its CustomTune technology—a proprietary system that individually calibrates ANC for each user—required the expertise of none other than a literal aerospace engineer, Dr. John Rule. Every time you power on the headphones, an initial chime plays; it isn’t just an aesthetic touch but a sophisticated diagnostic tone. Bose’s internal algorithms analyze how this tone interacts with the unique size, shape, and contours of your ear, using on-device microphones to create a noise-canceling profile uniquely tailored to you. Each user hears a subtly distinct version of perfection.
This kind of marketing prose often invites skepticism, the sort of technological claim one might dismiss as mere advertising flair. Yet in this instance, it’s not exaggeration. The results speak for themselves. Bose’s cutting-edge audio science genuinely delivers one of the most effective ANC systems in existence—a true testament to the company’s relentless pursuit of acoustic precision.
But what about the sound itself, beyond the eerie silence? When evaluating tonal balance and musical clarity, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones rest just below excellence. They are good—very good, in fact—but not in the rarefied “audiophile-grade” stratosphere. My testing spanned several genres: the electronic pulse of Daft Punk’s bass-heavy compositions, the warm, introspective textures of Pinegrove’s singer-songwriter rock, and everyday spoken-word audio such as sports talk podcasts. Across this wide range, the performance was consistently pleasing. Basses carried proper weight and resonance, thanks in part to improved low-frequency tuning, while vocals emerged clean and articulate. However, certain rock tracks revealed a slightly muted midrange, causing guitars to sound less vivid and more uniform than desired. For example, while listening through Wednesday’s latest record “Bleeds” from start to finish, I found myself leaning toward more vibrant alternatives like Nothing’s Headphone 1 when it came to conveying the raw energy of guitars. In contrast, electronic, hip-hop, and bass-forward tracks showcased these Bose headphones at their brilliant best.
For those inclined toward experimentation, Bose’s companion app allows further customization through an adjustable equalizer. Presets like “Treble Boost” can modestly alter the listening experience, and manual adjustments across three bands give users meticulous control, though the differences remain subtle. A more impactful upgrade lies in the ability to play lossless audio by connecting the headphones directly via USB-C. Plugging a USB-C cable into the left earcup and linking it to your source—for instance, an Android phone streaming Tidal—delivers noticeably cleaner audio with reduced compression artifacts. While most users will rely primarily on Bluetooth for the convenience of wireless freedom, the inclusion of this wired lossless mode underscores Bose’s attention to versatility.
Comfort, naturally, is the twin pillar of the QuietComfort name. On that front, Bose maintains a commendable balance between form and function. The headband and earcups are generously padded, providing a gentle cushion that remains agreeable during long listening sessions. The fit, however, leans toward the snug side—excellent for noise isolation but potentially tight for those with larger heads. The faux-leather coverings feel soft, though time will tell if they resist wear and peeling. One minor annoyance arises when resting the headphones around your neck: the earcups press a bit firmly against the chin and neck, making them less comfortable to wear casually this way.
Design-wise, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) retain much from their predecessors. The streamlined frame prioritizes acoustic sealing over expansive adjustability, which explains the secure fit. Reduced flexibility means fewer positioning options than some rivals, but the tradeoff is superior passive noise reduction. Bose undeniably excels more in delivering “quiet” than “comfort,” though their comfort level remains above average within the field.
Battery performance impresses as well. Bose estimates up to thirty hours of continuous listening with ANC enabled—a six-hour improvement from the previous generation. My personal use, averaging several hours over multiple days, confirmed that their endurance holds steady and reliable. While not revolutionary compared to long-life competitors, this increment places them neatly among the upper tier.
In terms of software and functionality, Bose layers additional tools designed for immersive listening. Through the Bose Music app, you can fine-tune the ANC intensity, choose EQ presets, or engage immersive audio modes. One standout feature is “Cinema Mode,” an evolution of spatial audio optimized for movies and television. While watching animated action scenes on my smartphone, the effect was undeniably impressive: dialogue sounded crisp, effects seemed to occupy real space around my head, and turning one’s head dynamically shifted the soundstage—an engaging, if occasionally disorienting, trick of perception. It isn’t mandatory enjoyment, but it certainly showcases Bose’s technical ambition.
Physically, the headphones include two buttons on the right earcup—one multifunctional for media control and a second exclusively for Bluetooth pairing—alongside a sleek, touch-sensitive slider that adjusts volume by swiping. The gestures may feel counterintuitive at first, but responsiveness remains consistent and pleasant once you adjust. Accessories include both USB-C and 3.5mm cables and a dedicated carrying case. Here, ergonomics falter slightly: folding the headphones neatly inside feels unintuitive enough that Bose actually included a small fabric tab with illustrated instructions.
In summation, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) represent a refined evolution rather than a reinvention. Their active noise cancellation sets an industry standard so high it’s difficult to surpass, while their sound quality, comfort, and additional features consolidate a well-rounded package. Listeners seeking absolute sonic neutrality might gravitate toward alternatives, but for anyone yearning to carve a sanctuary of silence amid the modern world’s incessant noise, these headphones remain unsurpassed. Against formidable competitors like Sony’s WH‑1000XM6, Bose continues to hold its ground as the undisputed master of quietude.
Sourse: https://gizmodo.com/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-2nd-gen-review-king-of-anc-2000670320
