The trend towards wired earbuds is growing, alongside other “retro” and disconnected tech, especially with the younger generation. Bose is tapping into that with its new Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds, which combine a wired USB-C connection to a compatible device (with or without an adapter) with noise cancelling.
Priced at US$99 and shipping starting October 15 in either Black (with Blue accents) or White Smoke (with Lime Green accents) along with limited edition Dewdrop Mint, the earbuds offer the advantage of connecting whenever you want, without the need to charge them or pair via Bluetooth. Yes, even with noise cancelling in use, the earbuds draw power from the connected device so you never need to charge them.
They come with Bose’s premium sound, clear call quality, and proprietary QuietControl noise cancellation. Bose’s proprietary SoundDesign digital signal processing technology, delivers “crisp, clear audio,” says the company, with support for lossless audio listening. Using the USB Audio Class 2 (UAC2) protocol, the earbuds can accept source input at any sample and bit rate, with playback output fixed at 24bit /48kHz. The direct wired connection also enables low-latency performance, keeping sound in sync while watching videos, gaming, or creating content.
An in-line remote with tactile physical buttons can be used to control volume, playback, calls, and noise cancellation modes. A dedicated microphone on the back of the remote provides clear voice pickup while minimizing unwanted noise from contact with clothing, so you can speak naturally without holding the remote close to your mouth.
At the centre of the experience is Bose QuietControl technology, using four microphones, two on each earbud, to continuously monitor, react to, and minimize surrounding sound. There are three listening modes: Quiet Mode reduce s outside distractions, Aware Mode lets surrounding sound in when you want to stay connected to what is happening around you, and ANC Off Mode for straightforward wired listening without active noise cancellation.
The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds come with a 4.2-foot cable. Each earbud includes soft silicone eartips in small, medium, and large sizes, along with medium and large stability wings that you can wear or remove.
The earbuds are rated IPX4 for water resistance and come with a zippered carry case for storage and protection.