Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Review
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones offer top-notch noise-cancelling, immersive audio, and comfort, though they're pricey with short battery life.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are my top pick of the past year. They offer an exhilarating listening experience and set a new standard in active noise cancellation. Deciding on these headphones might not take long, given their impressive performance.
However, they are more expensive than many of best noise-cancelling headphones which complicates decision. Despite higher price, I believe they are worth it.
Another thing to think about is battery life. They don’t live up to 30 hours we anticipate from best wireless headphones; their battery lasts barely 24 hours. Comparing these headphones to Sony headphones that have longer battery lives makes \difference very apparent.
It’s a bit disappointing that Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones don’t have USB-C audio support or latest Bluetooth technology. However, they do include aptX for better wireless sound quality.
Even without these extra functions headphones still function very well. Even without newest technology, they remainan outstanding choice because to their excellent noise cancellation & sound quality.
Table of Contents
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Specification
| 📋 Specification | 📝 Details |
|---|---|
| 💷 Price | £450 / $429 / AU$649 |
| 📏 Build | Folds flat; metal arms; pleather finish |
| 🔋 Battery Life | Up to 24 hours (without Immersive Audio) |
| 🎛️ Controls | Power button, touch volume control |
| 🎧 Comfort | Comfortable with good cushioning |
| 🎚️ Audio Tech | Immersive Audio, aptX Adaptive |
| 🔄 Connectivity | Bluetooth, USB-C charging |
| 🎙️ Call Quality | Improved with advanced microphones |
| 🔉 Noise-Cancelling | Excellent noise-cancelling |
| 🌐 Spatial Audio | Immersive Audio with Still and Motion modes |
Price
Since Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 launched in June 2019 for £350 / $399 / AU$599, a lot has changed. The new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are priced higher at £450 / $429 / AU$649. This makes them more expensive than the Sony WH-1000XM5 (£380 / $399 / AU$550) and the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e (£379 / $399 / AU$599). They are also pricier than the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (£300 / $349.95 / AU$549.95). However, they are still cheaper than the Apple AirPods Max (£549 / $549 / AU$899).
Build & Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones fold flat and have a hinged design, making them easy to carry in a bag. They look premium with metal arms and yokes and pleather on the headband and earcups. Available in Black or White Smoke, they offer a more premium feel compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5 but are not as stylish as the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e.
Headphones have well-judged grip pressure and slightly stronger clamping force than Sonys, which some users might prefer. Cushioning on earpads is comfortable and provides good seal. Right earcup features power/Bluetooth button, capacitive touch strip for volume control and multifunctional button for various tasks. Left earcup has an LED indicator, 2.5mm jack, and a USB-C charging port, though wired USB listening is not supported. Battery life is up to 24 hours with Immersive Audio off and 18 hours with it on, which is less than Sony WH-1000XM5’s 30 hours.
Features
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones introduce Bose’s Immersive Audio technology, which aims to make sound feel more like it’s coming from speakers rather than headphones. It offers two modes: Still, for stationary listening and Motion, which adjusts the audio to move with you. They also include Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound Technology with aptX Adaptive support, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and CustomTune calibration for optimized noise-cancelling.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones excel in noise-cancelling, outperforming the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e and even Sony WH-1000XM5. However, Immersive Audio feature may sound off with some tracks and can reduce battery life.
Call Quality
Headphones have improved call quality with advanced microphones and beamform-array. They perform well but Sony WH-1000XM5 still offer slightly clearer voice quality and better background noise cancellation during calls.
Spatial Audio
Bose’s Immersive Audio works well with some tracks but not with others. It enhances spaciousness for certain songs but can sound processed with others. Motion mode introduces delays and phase issues with head movements. Switching back to standard mode doesn’t feel like major loss, especially since Immersive Audio reduces battery life.
Sound Quality
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones deliver dynamic and engaging sound. They start off a bit tight but improve with use. They handle various music genres well, providing precise and punchy delivery. Compared to Sony WH-1000XM5, they offer more richness and body, though Sonys have leaner, more transparent sound.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Pros and Cons
| 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Great Noise-Cancelling | ❌ Expensive |
| ✅ Immersive Audio | ❌ Short Battery Life |
| ✅ Connects to Multiple Devices | ❌ No Wired USB Listening |
| ✅ Comfortable and Well-Built | ❌ Spatial Audio Delay |
| ✅ Easy-to-Use Controls | ❌ Lacks Latest Tech |
| ✅ Good Call Quality | ❌ |
Conclusion
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a strong return with excellent noise-cancelling and solid build quality. While Immersive Audio has mixed results and price is higher compared to other flagship models, overall performance and sound quality make them compelling choice.
