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Bose Just Gave Its Iconic QuietComfort Headphones a Hi-Fi Upgrade

Additionally, the new cans are available in several cool new finishes, including “Midnight Violet.”

Close-up of a Bose over-ear headphone in dark purple and blue lighting, showing the ear cup with the Bose logo and the cushioned ear pad.Bose

By Tucker Bowe

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Earlier this summer, Bose announced next-gen versions of its best-in-class noise-canceling wireless earbuds.

The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) — which, as of last week, are now available — are pretty similar to their 2023 predecessors, but Bose upgraded them with improved ANC and call quality, as well as added a few neat features.

Now, Bose is doing something similar with its renowned QuietComfort over-ear headphones.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

A man with curly hair wearing white Bose over-ear headphones and a light beige button-up shirt is smiling with his eyes closed, appearing to enjoy music. He has one arm raised in a relaxed, dancing gesture. The background is a warm, brownish gradient.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) in White Smoke.
Bose

An ANC upgrade

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) look quite similar to their predecessors, which were released nearly two years ago. But Bose has made quite a few under-the-hood improvements to its new flagship headphones.

As is tradition, Bose claims these new headphones sound better and have superior active noise-cancellation. They utilize an upgraded version of Bose’s proprietary ActiveSense tech, which allows them to deliver more precise adaptive noise cancellation and natural sound.

Over-ear Bose headphones in a deep blue color with a padded headband and cushioned ear cups. The headphones feature a sleek design with metallic accents connecting the headband to the ear cups. The Bose logo is visible on the side of one ear cup.
The Midnight Violet finish is new to the line.
Bose

Lossless audio over USB-C

Without a doubt, the headline upgrade with these second-gen headphones is that they support lossless audio when used with the included USB-C cable. This provides CD-quality audio, up to 16-bit/48kHz.

Lossless audio over a wired connection is a feature that many brands — including Sony, Bowers & Wilkins and even Apple — have added to their flagship headphones. And now Bose no longer looks like the outlier.

Over-ear Bose headphones in a beige color with rose gold accents on the ear cups and headband connectors. The ear cushions and headband padding are also beige, providing a sleek and elegant design. The Bose logo is visible on the ear cup in rose gold.
The Driftwood Sand is the other new color for the second-gen headphones.
Bose

A new Cinema Mode

Bose is introducing a new listening mode for its headphones called Cinema Mode. According to the brand, it makes “video content more lifelike with clearer dialogue.”

Bose recommends using Cinema Mode when watching movies and TV shows, as well as when listening to podcasts and audiobooks.

Note: Cinema Mode is a feature of Bose’s new earbuds, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), as well.

Black over-ear Bose headphones with a sleek, glossy finish on the ear cups and a padded headband. The Bose logo is prominently displayed in silver on each ear cup. The headphones are shown folded flat.
The headphones can fold completely flat. Putting them face down on a surface also makes them disconnect from your device.
Bose

Better wear detection

Bose has also upgraded the headphones with superior on-head detection, so they’ll automatically connect when you place them on your head.

When you remove them and place them flat on a surface, they’ll disconnect and enter a low-power mode. Bose says the low-power mode can run for months.

Of course, the headphones still have a power button for those who want absolute knowledge that their headphones are off.

A person wearing white Bose headphones and a loose red outfit is dancing indoors in front of a window with orange curtains, bathed in warm, reddish light. The room has framed pictures on the wall and some plants visible in the background.
Bose increased the price of its new QC Ultra Headphones by $20.
Bose

Longer lasting battery

And lastly, Bose improved the battery life of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). They now have an “up to 30-hour” battery life with ANC turned on. If ANC is turned off, that battery life can stretch up to 45 hours.

You can also charge and listen to the headphones at the same time, a feature that their predecessors lacked.

Black over-ear Bose headphones with cushioned ear pads and a padded headband, shown against a dark maroon background. The headphones have a sleek, matte finish with visible buttons and ports on the ear cups.
The 2nd-gen QC Ultra Headphones in black.
Bose

Four finishes (two new)

Bose offers the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) in four colors. The two familiar finishes are Black and White Smoke, while both Driftwood Sand and Midnight Violet are new to the line.

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) cost $449, a $20 price increase over the first-gen models.

They are available for preorder now and are set to start shipping on October 2nd.

About the Author:

Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. As a Tech Staff Writer, he tracks everything in the consumer tech space, from headphones to smartphones, wearables to home theater systems. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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