Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: A New Standard in Noise-Cancelling Technology

Bose has upgraded its popular QuietComfort earbuds, introducing the QC Ultra earbuds priced at £300. The new model stands out with best-in-class noise cancelling features and immersive audio capabilities, outperforming rivals such as Sennheiser, Sony, and Apple.

External Features and Design

Externally, the QC Ultra earbuds have a few metallic accents but otherwise retain the look of the QC Earbuds II. They are slightly larger than some competitors but feature a good flip-top lid on the charging case. The silicone earbud tips and wings ensure a comfortable and secure fit, with different sizes available for customization.

Touch-sensitive controls allow users to adjust volume, playback, noise cancelling, and sound modes. Battery life remains at six hours of noise cancelling, but the case provides three full charges for up to 24 hours of playback.

Top-Notch Noise Cancelling and Immersive Audio

The QC Ultra earbuds offer some of the best noise cancelling capabilities among headphones. The “awareness” mode reduces loud, sudden noises to prevent discomfort for the user.

The earbuds also retain Bose’s clear and controlled audio processing, adjusting the balance of music depending on volume for a full audio experience. They are equipped with an equaliser in the Bose Music app to adjust the bass-heavy audio. The new immersive or spatial audio mode enhances the listening experience by creating a virtual sound environment around the listener.

Connectivity and Functionality

Bose has introduced support for Google’s instant Bluetooth pairing and Qualcomm’s higher quality aptX Adaptive audio format, in addition to the standard SBC and AAC formats. These enhancements improve the experience for Android or Windows users. However, the earbuds can only connect to a single device at a time.

Sustainability Concerns

Although the company estimates that the batteries will last for over 500 full charge cycles, the earbuds are not currently repairable and the batteries are non-replaceable. Despite the availability of some replacement parts, the earbuds are essentially disposable, which raises sustainability issues.

Conclusion

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds set a high standard for noise-cancelling earbuds, offering excellent sound quality, solid battery life, and comfort. The added features of immersive audio and enhanced Bluetooth capabilities make them worth the price increase from the previous model. However, their size and lack of repairability may be drawbacks for some users. Despite these concerns, they remain an excellent choice for those seeking to drown out external noise.