Bose has been making their popular QuietComfort headphones for about 20 years, but this time, they did something different. They launched a new headphone, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and after hearing some reviews about it, I think these headphones could be an alternate to the Sony WH-1000XM5s and the Apple AirPods Max.
Review
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones come in four colors, Black, White Smoke, Lunar Blue, and Sandstone, and there is also a limited Diamond color available right now. They weigh only 254 grams, and I forgot I was wearing them after a while.
The earcups are made of protein leather, and they are very soft and comfy. They also attach and detach easily and you can buy new earcups for $34 on the Bose website. This is a pro as when these earcups develop cracks due to aging (which they will), you can get new earcups instead of getting a new pair of headphones.
On the earcups, there is a USB-C charging port, and an auxiliary port for wired listening. There are venting holes on the earcups, and some microphone holes. There are two buttons, a power button and a multifunction button which you can customize in the app. There is also a capacitive line across the right earcup, and you can swipe up or down on it to change the volume. You can also set up a shortcut on the app, and you can use that shortcut by touching and holding down on the volume line.
The headphones come in a very nice leather case, it comes with an AUX cable and a little pocket for storing that cable and other stuff. The QC Ultras also one-up the Sony WH-1000XM5s and the Apple AirPods Max by being able to fold, this makes the travel case smaller and takes up less space in your bag.
To connect the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones to the Bose app, you just need to hold the power button until the pairing light flashes on, after that, you will see your headphones in the app. In the app, you can change how long the headphones stay on standby, you can change the functions of the button, you can change the EQ, and you can tweak the ANC settings.
There is a feature called CustomTune that shapes the sound to you. When you put the Bose QC Ultras on, they will play a little tune. This tune will adjust your EQ based on the shape of your ears so that the sound is good. With SimpleSync, you can also pair these headphones with compatible Bose soundbars like the Bose Soundbar 600, and the sound will play through your soundbar and your headphones if you like that thing.
Let’s talk about something interesting with the Bose QuietComfort Ultras, the Active Noise Cancellation is always on! This is called ActiveSense, and there are two modes for it, Quiet Mode, and Aware Mode. Quiet mode turns ANC to the max, and aware mode is something like transparency mode. The Bose QC Ultras also have something called immersion mode, which turns on ANC with Immersion Audio (very similar to Spatial Audio), and this converts any signal coming from Bluetooth into immersion audio.
The immersion mode sounds great, you can feel the added ANC and the music sounds like it’s coming from right in front of you. You can also change the degree of head tracking, there are two modes, one for when you’re walking and your head is moving, and one for when you’re sitting and your head is still. The Bose QC Ultra headphones have 24 hours of battery life, which is bumped down to 18 hours with immersion mode on.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones sound great. They have a volume-dependent equalizer that changes the bass and treble based on your volume, so songs will sound great at all volumes. The ANC is also good, it does a good job of canceling out white noise, and in transparency mode, it feels like you’re not even wearing the headphones.
Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are an impressive step forward for Bose, offering exceptional comfort, top-tier ANC, and immersive audio features. Their lightweight design, replaceable earcups, and ability to fold make them a highly practical choice for frequent travelers. Features like CustomTune, Immersion Mode, and seamless connectivity with the Bose app give them a premium feel, while the always-on ANC ensures a consistently quiet listening experience. With a battery life of up to 24 hours, these headphones hold their own against competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5s and Apple AirPods Max. If you value high-quality noise cancellation, immersive sound, and long-term comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are a worthy investment of $429.
FAQs
1. How does the noise cancellation compare to the Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max?
The Bose QC Ultra headphones offer some of the best ANC available, rivaling the Sony WH-1000XM5s and Apple AirPods Max.
2. Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones support multipoint Bluetooth?
Yes, these headphones support multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously, such as a laptop and a smartphone.
3. Can you turn off ANC completely?
No, ANC is always on, but you can switch between Quiet Mode (full ANC) and Aware Mode (transparency mode).
4. Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultras support lossless audio?
These headphones do not support true lossless audio over Bluetooth, but they offer high-quality sound processing with AAC, SBC, and aptX Adaptive codecs.
5. Can you use them for gaming?
While they work for casual gaming via Bluetooth or wired connection, they don’t have a dedicated low-latency gaming mode, so there might be some lag in fast-paced games.
6. Is the Immersion Mode like Apple’s Spatial Audio?
Yes, Immersion Mode enhances the soundstage similarly to Spatial Audio, creating a more immersive listening experience with head-tracking adjustments.
7. How long does the battery last?
The Bose QC Ultra headphones offer up to 24 hours of battery life with ANC on, and around 18 hours if you use Immersion Mode.
8. Can you replace the earcups?
Yes, the earcups are detachable and can be replaced, which is useful when they start to wear out over time.
9. Are these headphones good for phone calls?
Yes, the Bose QC Ultras have improved microphone quality, making them a great choice for calls, even in noisy environments.
10. Do they fold for easy storage?
Yes, unlike the Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max, the Bose QC Ultra headphones fold, making them more compact for travel.