Bose has just unveiled its latest offerings in the world of audio, and they’re bringing some exciting innovations to the table. The new lineup includes the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and they’re making a big splash with their combination of active noise cancellation (ANC) and Immersive Audio technology.
Immersive Audio is the real star of the show here. Bose claims that it makes spatial sound “accessible to all,” and what’s particularly intriguing is that it doesn’t require specialized content. This means you won’t have to hunt for specific songs or movies to enjoy the benefits of spatial sound. The QC Ultra devices use virtualization and can seamlessly integrate with any streaming service, putting you right in the “acoustic sweet spot.” They achieve this by employing a mix of onboard components and cutting-edge digital signal processing.
Immersive Audio comes in two modes: Still and Motion. Still is ideal for those moments when you’re sitting and enjoying your content, while Motion leverages head tracking to ensure the sound stays in front of you even when you’re on the move. Of course, if you prefer the classic Bose sound, you can always turn Immersive Audio off.
What’s impressive is that, in a demo, Immersive Audio showed its prowess even without dedicated immersive content. It added a new dimension to the audio experience, making everything sound punchier with enhanced clarity and detail. And let’s not forget about Bose’s robust ANC, which continues to impress by silencing background noise effectively.
Bose has also given the QC Ultra Headphones a fresh design, combining elements from previous QuietComfort models and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. Notably, the headband now features a touch of metal for a more premium look without sacrificing comfort.
Another notable change is the introduction of a capacitive touch strip for volume control, replacing physical buttons. It’s conveniently placed on the earcup’s edge for easy access. There’s still a physical multi-function button for playback control and calls, along with a 3.5mm audio jack for wired listening. The headphones charge via USB-C, although audio over USB-C isn’t supported.
The Immersive Audio technology does affect battery life, as expected. With it active, you can enjoy up to 18 hours of use with ANC turned on. If you disable it, that number jumps to 24 hours. Bose promises improved call quality as well, with the headphones effectively picking up your voice amidst 360 degrees of ambient noise.
Moving on to the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, they also feature Immersive Audio as their headline feature. But Bose hasn’t stopped there; they’ve improved call quality with dynamic microphone mixing and adaptive filters. These features work in real time to minimize wind noise and ensure you sound your best.
The earbuds’ design has seen a subtle refresh, with a touch of silver on the outer touch panel. The stability band (fit wing) has also been redesigned to wrap around the underside of each earbud, ensuring a secure fit. Battery life with Immersive Audio on is around four hours, with an additional two hours available when you disable spatial sound. Additionally, there’s an optional wireless charging case cover available for an extra $49.
For those who love the classic QuietComfort design, Bose is replacing the QuietComfort 45 headphones with new QuietComfort Headphones. These headphones offer Bose’s powerful ANC, up to 24 hours of battery life, and Bluetooth multi-point connectivity. They also support Bose SimpleSync, allowing you to pair them with select soundbars and speakers for a personalized listening experience.
All three models are available for pre-order now. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are priced at $429, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at $299, and the QuietComfort Headphones at $349. They’re set to ship in early October, so you won’t have to wait long to elevate your audio experience to a whole new level.
