Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen.): What Bose improves - and what it doesn't
2.9.2025
Translation: machine translated
The second generation of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds brings detailed improvements to the case, battery and sound. The strong ANC performance is impressive, but not all the weak points of the predecessor have disappeared.
With the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, Bose is relaunching its top in-ears. The claim is clear: the strongest possible noise cancellation, combined with a sophisticated sound and powerful features. Compared to the predecessor, there are mainly improvements to details - including the often criticised charging case, which was clunky and could not be charged wirelessly. But also the meagre app and the battery life of the buds, which was only six hours. The new generation does a lot better, but one point of criticism remains.
Source: Florian Bodoky
Music: Bose dances at all weddings
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd generation) have a conventional dynamic driver - the diameter is 9.3 mm per side. The high frequencies are clearly audible without being overdubbed. With «Clocks» by Coldplay, the drum elements remain restrained, the guitar sounds bright without tipping over into shrillness. The sound image remains stable even at high volumes. Overall, the treble is discreet and restrained.
The buds also deliver a clean reproduction in the mid-range. Voices are picked out precisely, which I can clearly hear in the song «Fast Car» by Tracy Chapman. The voice remains present without the accompanying instruments being pushed into the background. Acoustic instruments such as the piano or the strings are present, but I find the details a little lacking here. The focus is clearly on balance.
The bass range is powerful, but the Quiet Comfort Ultra are no bass monsters. «Lose Yourself to Dance» by Draft Punk makes this clear: the bass is powerful, but remains structured and doesn't cover up voices or instruments. Electronic music and hip-hop benefit from this, but the question arises as to whether hip-hop enthusiasts in particular might prefer the bass bombers from JBL or Beats. And if you like a neutral, precise sound, you might find the bass a little dominant.
What, WHAT? WHAT? (install the firmware update before making a call)
The noise cancellation is absolutely first-class and is on a par with Sony. The natural attenuation provided by the silicone earplugs helps. The ANC not only helps with regular noises, but also with sudden noises such as a car horn. Even after several weeks of testing (in railway stations, on the street and so on), I didn't hear any noise. This speaks in favour of the ANC's speed of response.
The transparency mode also has a natural effect, background noises are clearly recognisable without the sound balance suffering greatly. Voices or noises in transparency mode are therefore not overemphasised, which has sometimes bothered me massively with competitor products.
The control of the earbuds can be extended via the Bose Music app. Here you can adjust the three-band equaliser, ANC and transparency levels or configure the touch gestures. The app is clearly structured, but only offers limited sound adjustment options. Advanced functions such as detailed presets or a larger EQ are missing. Firmware updates run reliably via the app. This is important for you, as an update should be available immediately after purchase.
This helps immensely with the quality of the telephony. The first time I tried it, the person I was talking to was sure I was in the toilet or even in an old-glass restaurant. We were able to communicate, but longer conversations would be very tiring. After the update, the voice quality is acceptable and the noise and reverberation effects are gone.
Watch out sausage fingers
You control the headphones using touch gestures on the earbuds. This works reliably, but requires a precise touch. If you stay on them for too long or miss, the Bose react quite sensitively. If I want to adjust the headphones, for example, this is interpreted as a pause command. When I want to pause, I often skip by mistake because the delay is quite long - and I tap a second time out of impatience. I find adjusting the volume with a slide movement useful.
Source: Florian Bodoky
The earbuds and the case are solidly made. The plastic and silicone look robust and the housing is precisely crafted. Small protective grilles in the attachments are designed to keep dirt out. Bose packs relatively large plugs on the buds as standard. If you have rather narrow ear canals, you will need to change these. If the attachments fit, they are stable.
Source: Florian Bodoky
The case is flatter than its predecessor, but still large overall. The surface is resistant to scratches and equipped with a sturdy hinge. The charging case is equipped with a USB-C port. Bluetooth 5.3 is used on the wireless side, with support for SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive. The latter is particularly energy-efficient, which raises the question of battery life.
The battery life is better
The battery performance is average at around six hours with noise cancelling activated. At the price Bose is charging, it could be more. At least the charging case provides three additional charges. The quick-charging function of the buds is also positive: 20 minutes in the case is enough for almost two hours of playback.
In a nutshell
Good in-ears - if you don't have the predecessor yet
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd generation) impress with very good noise cancelling, balanced mids and powerful bass. The treble is clear but restrained. The workmanship and wearing comfort are solid, but the charging case is a little bulky. The battery life is in the mid-range and is sufficient for everyday use. The main strengths are the ANC, the clear voice reproduction (after firmware update) and the form factor. The earbuds' weaknesses are the limited equaliser and the oversensitive touch control. All in all, the purchase is worthwhile if you like the Bose sound signature. Apart from a few minor details, Bose delivers top work. However, if you're simply looking for high-quality in-ears, you'll also find cheaper devices, as the RRP of 299 francs is a proud price.
Pro
- Sound
- Wearing comfort
- Processing
Contra
- bulky shell
- Sensitive touch control
- Lean equaliser
Header image: Florian Bodoky
I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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