Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2)
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones (Gen 2) can be found for $449 in 5 colours.
- They solidify Bose’s warranted confidence in its design, consolation, noise cancellation, and sound efficiency.
- The one main, eye-catching upgrades relate to battery capability and energy administration.
oct / 2025
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How do you persuade your self to pay $400+ for a pair of headphones after they look and function virtually identically to the earlier technology? That is a query I hope to reply, and a query Bose hopes its second-generation flagship headphones will reply primarily based on their efficiency alone.
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I spent two weeks working, touring, and lounging within the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2), which I am going to consult with because the QC Extremely 2, trying to find how Bose spent two years making them extra “extremely” than their predecessor. With out main upgrades to design, speaker drivers, or noise cancellation efficiency, I am going to should dig deep.
It is simple to place the Sony WH-1000XM6 as QC Extremely 2’s direct competitor, however I’m wondering: are the QC Extremely 2 competing with their predecessors as a lot as they’re with different manufacturers? Let’s discover out.
Identical look, smarter particulars
The QC Extremely 2’s defining theme is that it would not try and rewrite Bose’s legacy however quite tidies it up. They give the impression of being equivalent to the primary technology, apart from the yokes, which swap a matte aluminum end for shiny polished steel.
The QC Extremely 2’s earcups are barely shallower than these of their predecessor, which may trigger match points for individuals with bigger heads and ears. In any other case, the look, really feel, and match of the QC Extremely 2 do not carry notable adjustments, which is not essentially a foul factor — if it ain’t broke, do not repair it.
Bose QC Extremely (Gen 1) (left); Bose QC Extremely (Gen 2) (proper).
Jada Jones/ZDNET
Extra important upgrades lie within the smaller particulars, together with USB-C audio assist, accessible at as much as 16-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz. Thus, the QC Extremely 2 is extra fitted to gaming or extra trustworthy listening than the primary technology. Not like the Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max, the QC Extremely 2 retains its 3.5mm headphone jack. And in contrast to the Sony XM6, you may hear by way of the QC Extremely 2’s USB-C port whereas charging it.
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Though USB-C audio assist in 2025 feels extra like an expectation than a brand new function to have fun, it rounds out the QC Extremely 2’s audio capabilities.
Magnificence is within the ears of the beholder
The QC Extremely 2 have an excellent sound profile for those who like an exaggerated bass response, barely decreased mids, and louder treble. It makes for an excellent copy of basslines and front-and-center vocals in pop tracks, similar to One Course’s “Stockholm Syndrome,“ and ’90s rap, like Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear.”
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Conversely, the QC Extremely 2 aren’t as robust with layered, ambient post-rock like Ben Howard’s “Time Is Dancing.” Songs with extra refined musical textures aren’t as straightforward to listen to, however reducing the bass helps. Total, the QC Extremely 2’s tuning is hotter and extra spacious-sounding, delivering an prolonged, tighter bass response than the primary technology. Their sound ought to be enjoyable for most individuals.
Bose continues on with its model of spatial audio, Immersive Audio, and introduces a brand new spatial tuning for podcasts, TV exhibits, films, and different dialogue-heavy media. The function works – you may hear your media develop round your head. Personally, I would quite that Bose embrace Dolby Atmos assist as an alternative.
Nonetheless the ANC gold commonplace
Bose’s advertising and marketing conveys to me that noise cancellation is not thought to be a function of a pair of headphones — it is a life-style selection. Noise cancellation would not solely mute the world round you, however helps you create a personal listening house whenever you’re in public.
Bose leans into this philosophy, as noise-canceling upgrades aren’t on the forefront of the headphones’ launch. Regardless of little fanfare round noise cancellation enhancements, the QC Extremely 2 are barely higher at canceling noise than their predecessor. Moreover, the QC Extremely 2’s ANC higher encompasses higher-pitched noises, similar to keyboard clicks, and lower-pitched noises, just like the rumble of an airplane engine, than the primary technology.
When the headphones’ lively noise cancellation (ANC) is engaged, even when no audio is enjoying, there’s nearly no noise flooring. That feat is extremely spectacular and on par with Sony’s WH-1000XM6. The distinction between Sony’s and Bose’s latest-gen ANC is negligible; you may have to search out one other class that can assist you decide one model over the opposite.
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Bose additionally refined its AI-powered adaptive noise cancellation function, ActiveSense. This function maintains transparency mode and prompts noise cancellation when the surroundings turns into too loud. ActiveSense is my favourite function on the QC Extremely Earbuds 2, and it really works simply as nicely on the headphones.
One of the best function is essentially the most surprising
To me, the standout function of the QC Extremely 2 pertains to its improved energy administration. Together with growing the battery life from 24 hours on the primary technology to 30 hours on the second, Bose additionally rendered its product’s energy button out of date.
You should utilize the headphones’ energy button to show them on and off, but it surely’s not obligatory. As a substitute, you may take the headphones off your head and lay them flat — earcups up or down — they usually’ll instantly disconnect out of your gadgets, disable Bluetooth, and start conserving energy. Merely put them again on they usually’re able to go.
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I like this function as a result of energy buttons on headphones are the bane of my existence. If you happen to do not press the button lengthy sufficient, the headphones will not flip off, however for those who press it for too lengthy, they’re going to enter pairing mode. You need to time your lengthy press completely to get your headphones to cooperate.
Bose’s power-up was notably complicated and malfunctioning, inflicting the corporate to ship the first-gen QC Extremely’s solely firmware replace to deal with the difficulty particularly. To me, not needing to make use of the ability button in any respect is a lifesaver.
A companion app performed proper
Many headphone manufacturers are notoriously identified for his or her lackluster companion apps. Glitchy options and boring consumer interfaces preserve me away from them. Bose’s app is the perfect, providing a dependable, pleasurable, and easy-to-use expertise.
The app highlights the QC Extremely 2’s improved customization options, providing customers the power to completely disable noise cancellation and the headphones’ contact management strip, one among my least favourite options from the first-gen QC Extremely. Now you can utterly disable ANC, which was beforehand unattainable with Bose’s headphones.
The one situation I’ve with Bose’s app is its restricted equalizer. As a substitute of permitting customers to regulate the headphones’ EQ by frequency bands, Bose solely presents will increase and reduces to normal bass, mids, and treble with out particular, granular, quantifiable measures.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Bose QC Ultra 2 ship refined upgrades to the headphones’ noise cancellation, design, sound profile, energy administration, and consumer customization. They are not a very thrilling second-generation launch that pulls headlines. As a substitute, Bose doubles down on what it does greatest, providing minor but significant refinements to deal with its few blind spots.
If you have already got the first-gen QC Extremely, preserve them till the wheels fall off, or await what Bose does subsequent, which could possibly be a bigger product overhaul. In case you have the Bose NC700, QuietComfort 35, or 45, they usually’re on the finish of their highway, the QC Extremely 2 could be a major improve for you.
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Briefly, between Sony and Bose, Bose delivers a extra fashionable design, much less cheap-feeling plastic construct supplies, a extra relaxed match, and USB-C audio. Nevertheless, Bose’s sound profile closely leans towards heat and softened treble to account for robust ANC processing and long-term listening classes, notably when touring or working.
Sony’s sound profile can also be heat, however its equalizer permits extra personalization. The WH-1000XM6 have a tighter bass response, clearer mids, sharper treble, and a extra spacious soundstage. Its sound is extra analytical, however it might turn into fatiguing after just a few hours of listening.
We awarded Bose’s newest flagship headphones an Editors’ Alternative award for his or her enhancements over the earlier technology’s gaps, whereas refining their strengths. Total, the QC Extremely 2 ship helpful, on a regular basis options that their opponents do not, notably in energy administration, consumer customization, and USB-C audio assist.
Most significantly, Bose presents its Most worthy and premium options to all customers, no matter system technology or software program ecosystem.
