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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones · Photo source

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Photo 1 of 11

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones · Photo source

Bose · QuietComfort

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Released October 2023

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2023) are Bose's first-generation flagship noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, with Immersive Audio and aptX Adaptive, suited to commuters and travellers.

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Battery
24 h
With case
–
Best codec
aptX Adaptive
Weight
254 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the noise cancelling is class-leading and the sound detailed and entertaining, in a comfortable, folding design. The common complaints are the high price and battery life that trails rivals, as What Hi-Fi? and TechRadar note; SoundGuys also missed water resistance and was unimpressed by Immersive Audio.

From whathifi.com, techradar.com and soundguys.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Transparency mode
Yes
Spatial audio with head tracking
Yes
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive
Lossless over USB-C
No
Noise cancelling detail
Eight microphones for feedback and adaptive feed-forward noise reduction; Quiet, Aware and Immersion modes plus custom modes; Aware Mode with ActiveSense briefly applies noise cancelling during very loud sounds; noise cancelling adjustable in the Bose app; Wind Block setting; CustomTune calibrates sound and noise cancelling to your ears each time you put them on
Audio features
Bose Immersive Audio (Still keeps the sound in place as you turn your head; Motion lets it follow) using an onboard IMU; three-band EQ (bass, mid-range, treble) in the Bose app; aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim)
Up to 24 hours
Battery life detail
Up to 24 hours with Immersive Audio off, 18 hours with it on; tested by Bose at 75 dB SPL in Quiet Mode; the headphones don't charge while switched on
Fast charging
15 minutes gives up to 2.5 hours with Immersive Audio off, 2 hours with it on (owner's guide; Bose UK's FAQ says 3 hours); full charge in up to 3 hours

Design

Weight
254 g
Bluetooth
5.3
Two devices at once
Yes
Headphone cable
Yes
Controls
On the right ear cup, a Bluetooth/power button, a multi-function button (play, pause, skip, calls, modes) and a capacitive volume strip (swipe for volume; touch and hold for a shortcut to Immersive Audio settings, Spotify Tap, the voice assistant or battery level); on-head detection pauses and resumes audio and wakes or sleeps the headphones
Microphones
Eight microphones in total; four are used for calls (two on each ear cup), in a beamforming array
Fit and ear tips
Around-ear (circumaural) with an adjustable headband; removable protein leather cushions; plastic, aluminium and protein leather; fold flat for the carry case
Water resistance detail
No water resistance rating published
Works with
Bose app (launched with Bose Music) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices since a July 2024 update; Google Fast Pair; Spotify Tap; SimpleSync with Bose smart soundbars and speakers; 2.5 mm analogue input needs the headphones powered on; no USB audio
Colours
Black and White Smoke at launch; What Hi-Fi lists later Lunar Blue and Diamond 60th Edition finishes
In the box
Headphones, carry case, 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable, USB-C (A to C) cable (50.8 cm), safety sheet

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Immersive Audio with head tracking (Still and Motion)
  • aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound devices, plus multipoint (added by a 2024 update)
  • Fold flat into the carry case

Cons

  • Up to 24 hours per charge, or 18 hours with Immersive Audio on
  • No audio over USB-C, and the analogue cable only works with the headphones switched on
  • No water resistance rating

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
BeatsStudio Pro
Over-earYes24 h–AAC260 gJul 2023
BoseQuietComfort Headphones
Over-earYes24 h–AAC236 gSept 2023
SonyWH-CH720N
Over-earYes35 h–AAC192 gMar 2023

Newer model: QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).

Sources

  1. bose.co.uk/p/headphones/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones/QCUH-HEADPHONEARN.ht…
  2. assets.bosecreative.com/m/8f024ac3c0159c1/original/884885_OG_QCUH-HEADPHONEARN_…
  3. bose.com/pressroom/bose-announces-new-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-and-earbuds
  4. whathifi.com/news/boses-new-quietcomfort-ultra-range-of-wireless-headphones-goe…
  5. whathifi.com/reviews/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-review

Photo: assets.bosecreative.com

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