Last year, Bose updated its QuietComfort Ultra headphones with the Gen 2 pair, which I reviewed and loved. Now, the standard Bose QuietComfort headphones are seeing a second-gen version as well. The new pair boasts a refreshed design along with proprietary Bose technologies to provide a more immersive listening experience.
New to the QuietComfort Headphones is the addition of Bose TrueSpatial technology, enabling three Bose Immersive Audio listening modes that were previously exclusive to the QuietComfort Ultra series: Still, Motion, and Cinema. These all provide a virtualized stereo sound listening experience from any audio source. In Still Mode, audio stars in place, even if your head moves. With Motion Mode, audio follows with your movements. And Cinema Mode balances background sound and other audio effects for a theatre-like experience, great when you’re watching movies or listening to podcasts from your mobile device.
The headphones also retain Bose’s proprietary SoundDesign digital signal processing and add lossless playback via wired USB-C, up to 24bit/48kHz. Noise cancelling, always a highlight of Bose’s QuietComfort line, is also improved. New adaptive feedforward controls ensure effective noise cancelling for those who wear glasses, hats, or have long hair that can sometimes get in the way. The new six-microphone system now better compensates for gaps in the earcup seal.
The new QuietComfort headphones also feature an improved ActiveSense response when in Aware Mode, engaging the right amount of noise cancellation in a smoother and more natural sounding way to soften sudden spikes of noise, like a passing train. For a more traditional listening experience, noise cancellation can be manually adjusted, or turned off completely, in the Bose app. Custom Modes can also be created to find the right individual balance between noise cancelling and acoustic transparency. You can toggle among these using the action button on the left earcup.
The updated headband design features smooth, adjustable sliders and even more plush, soft synthetic leather cushioning that gently rests on the head for a contoured silhouette. Clamping force has been optimized to provide a secure fit and lightweight feel, while there’s new oval-shaped earcups. The earcups also have a two-tone design with three new finishes: calm and nature-inspured Eucalyptus Green, nostalgic ’90s throwback Dewdrop Mint, and an elegant Rosewood Mauve.
Along with the action button on the left earcup that can adjust listening modes and activate shortcuts like voice assistant and Spotify Tap, there are buttons on the right that can be used for controlling play/pause, volume, call answer/hangup, and more.
The headphones come with Bluetooth Core 5.4 with multipoint connectivity for seamlessly switching between two connected devices. Android users can also take advantage of Google Fast Pair for simplified setup. Two-way USB-C audio enables high-quality listening as well as clear voice input for calls and videoconferencing apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. A USB-C to 3.5 mm cable is also included for compatibility with analog sources, including in-flight entertainment systems.
The headphones can run for up to 24 hours per charge, 18 hours with immersive audio. You can also charge them while wearing them. A 15-minute quick-charge yields up to 2.5 hours of playback.
Use the Bose app to tailor the audio experience with an adjustable three-band EQ, custom listening modes, and shortcut function configuration. You can also access Bluetooth device management, firmware updates, and more.
The Bose QuietComfort 2nd gen headphones will be available for pre-order beginning August 8 for US$359 and will start shipping on August 13. Along with the aforementioned new limited-edition colours, they will also come in standard Black or White Smoke.