Upgraded In All The Right Places

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When I think about Bose headphones, the iconic QuietComfort line immediately comes to mind. No, not the more recent Ultra version with all of today’s bells and whistles. I’m talking about the business-traveler-chic models that popularized active noise cancellation (ANC). They were never going to win any design contests, but you could rely on them to give you some relief on a flight while also offering decent audio quality.

The company rebranded these to the QuietComfort Headphones a few years back, and now Bose returns with the second-generation version. This time, there are some modest design changes, although the understated look is still intact. What’s more, the second-gen QC Headphones borrow features from the pricier QuietComfort Ultra Headphones which enhance both audio and ANC overall.

While this new version undoubtedly fits the aesthetic of the regular QuietComfort line, Bose made two notable design changes. First, there’s an updated headband that slides smoothly to adjust. Next, the company refined the shape of the earcups while installing improved ear pads for better cushioning. In a third change, a decidedly less exciting one, Bose relocated the power/Bluetooth pairing switch from the outside of the right ear cup to the bottom edge of the left ear cup. This doesn’t really impact the experience, but it does give the headphones a cleaner look on both sides.

In terms of features, Bose brought Immersive Audio to the regular QuietComfort Headphones for the first time. This is the company’s take on spatial audio that doesn’t rely on specially created content. Instead, the tool upscales any movies, shows or music as needed for enhanced listening. Before now, Immersive Audio was exclusive to the Ultra line of QuietComfort Headphones. Plus, Bose’s Cinema Mode, which enhances dialogue without constraining the wide soundstage of Immersive Audio, is on the second-gen QC Headphones too.

The company’s CustomTune feature is also a new addition, a tool that calibrates audio and noise cancellation to the acoustic properties of your ears. It’s like room calibration for a soundbar, but for your headphones. And if you’re into lossless audio, you can listen with a cable over USB-C at up to 24-bit/48kHz. What’s more, the headphones can be charged while you’re using them with a cable. If you’ll recall, the previous QuietComfort Headphones still had a 3.5mm port for wired use. Bose ditched that on this new version as the only wired connectivity is over USB-C — for both charging and listening. For in-flight entertainment systems, there’s a USB-C to 3.5mm cable in the box, or you could opt for a $30 accessory like the AirFly for wireless use.

The company also improved ANC performance on this new model with the addition of ActiveSense. This feature automatically applies noise cancellation when the headphones detect sudden spikes of noise if you’re using Aware (transparency) mode. Bose says ActiveSense now responds more naturally to those brief periods of disruption before returning to ambient sound mode. The company also explains that the ANC system on the second-gen QC Headphones can better compensate for changes in the ear cup seal due to glasses. And last but not least, you can disable ANC entirely in the Bose app this time around.

I’ll get to audio and ANC performance in a minute, but I must first applaud Bose for refining the QC Headphones without raising the price. This second-gen version costs $359, same as the previous installment did when it debuted. At a time where almost everything is more expensive, I’d expect any headphone company to raise prices on new models by at least $50, but that didn’t happen here. Plus, this price tag gives Bose fans a compelling alternative to the $449 second-gen QuietComfort Ultra headphones that costs significantly less.

ANC has long been the trademark feature of the QuietComfort lineup, and that doesn’t change here. These headphones continue Bose’s strong track record for effective noise cancellation with this model does well against constant noise sources (like fans) in addition to respectably lowering the volume on human voices (on TV and IRL). The second-gen QC Headphones don’t completely silence a chatty neighbor, but they consistently reduce the distraction.

While I concede the second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are Bose’s best option in terms of pure sound quality, this regular model is no slouch. The tuning is balanced, providing adequate low-end thump when a song demands it — like Nine Inch Noize’s “Vessel.” Even without Immersive Audio active, these QuietComfort Headphones provide plenty of fine detail in the texture and grit of the synthesizers on that track. Switch over to Basement’s WIRED and you get the same level of clarity and nuance in the band’s alt-grunge songs, particularly in the guitars. And it’s no surprise that more mellow genres sound great here. Billy Strings’ “Bluewater Breakdown” is embedded with all of the string-instrument subtleties that a lot of headphones don’t offer.

When I first took the new QC Headphones out of the case, I was immediately struck by how lightweight they are. Compared to the current Ultra headphones, this model is about 34 grams lighter, which makes a huge difference in comfort. I could tell the difference as soon as I put them on, and the disparity only increased the longer I wore both sets. Plus, the soft ear pads are both pillowy and sturdy enough that you can’t feel the edges of the ear cups. Lastly, the clamping pressure of the headband is adequate for respectable ANC performance without becoming a burden on my large head.

If you didn’t like the design of the regular QuietComfort Headphones line before now, I highly doubt Bose did enough to change your mind. These are still the less-polished option compared to the pricier, shinier QC Ultra Headphones. I can appreciate fans of this model prefer it that way, and the company offers a dark pink and two green color variants if you need a splash of personality.

My only real complaint with the new QC Headphones is that battery life remains the same as the previous model. You get 24 hours of ANC use on a charge, which should be enough for multiple days, but the QC Ultra Headphones last 30 hours. I would’ve liked to see at least a modest bump in longevity here to go along with the feature additions and other improvements.

After all these years, the QuietComfort line still lives up to its name. The second-generation QuietComfort Headphones are an all-around upgrade over the 2023 version, a compelling option that costs less than the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (second-gen). I would’ve loved to see the upgrades extend to longer battery life, but if that’s my only gripe, the company did well. And if a few more hours of use would’ve come with a higher price, I can be happy with what’s here.

The regular QuietComfort Headphones remain a perfectly suitable, highly comfortable option that’s adept at noise cancellation and provides above average sound quality. That all combines to bolster Bose’s decades-long run of consistent performance, a source of reliability that isn’t likely to disappoint customers anytime soon.