Bose is once again making waves in the premium wireless earbuds market with the release of the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), aiming squarely at the AirPods Pro throne. These new buds bring an impressive array of upgrades while maintaining the core qualities that Bose fans love-comfort, audio excellence, and top-tier noise cancellation. Priced at $299, they are set to launch later this summer, offering a refined take on the previous generation.
Refining Noise Cancellation and Sound Personalization
The 2nd-gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds continue to excel in noise cancellation, but with some smart updates. Thanks to an updated AI-powered algorithm, the earbuds now adjust the noise-canceling level more seamlessly in response to fluctuating environmental sounds. Whether you’re walking through a noisy street or riding a subway, the earbuds keep your music clear and free from distractions. This advanced algorithm, built on Bose’s CustomTune calibration tech, ensures that Aware Mode is more responsive than ever, automatically adjusting to the surrounding noise.
Enhanced Voice Pickup for Clearer Calls
Another significant upgrade comes in the form of voice pickup. With eight microphones, dynamic audio mixing, and adaptive filters, these earbuds now suppress wind, crowd, and background noise more effectively. Even if you’re using just one earbud, your voice will come through clearly on calls. This feature leverages technology originally developed for Bose’s hearing aids, ensuring your voice is front and center, even in noisy environments.
Subtle Hardware Enhancements and New Features
Bose has also listened to user feedback, adding some long-requested features. Wireless charging is now standard, and a wax guard has been integrated to prevent earwax from entering the earbuds. Additionally, the capacitive touch controls can now be disabled in the companion app for those who found them too sensitive.
Despite these improvements, battery life remains unchanged at up to 6 hours from the earbuds, with the case providing three additional full charges. A quick 20-minute charge gives you about 2 hours of listening time, perfect for when you’re in a rush.
Specifications
- Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint support
- Qualcomm aptX Adaptive, SBC support
- Google Fast Pair
- Available in Black, White Smoke, and Deep Plum
Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec automatically adjusts audio bitrate based on your environment, optimizing for either sound quality or latency depending on the task at hand, whether you’re gaming or listening to music.
With competitors like Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 and Sony’s next-gen earbuds still waiting in the wings, Bose has an opportunity to set the bar for premium wireless earbuds in 2025. The upgrades in noise cancellation and call clarity show promise, and with the same price as the previous model, it’s an exciting start for Bose’s latest iteration.