When it comes to Bose headphones, there are a few things you can always expect. First and foremost is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which has been the best in the industry for years. You can also rely on Bose headphones to provide excellent sound quality and comfort for long periods of use.
With the introduction of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, Bose has gone above and beyond to deliver an even more immersive audio experience. These headphones come with a unique take on spatial audio that sets them apart from the competition. However, with this enhanced sound and updated design, comes a higher price tag.
In terms of design, Bose has made some changes to the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones compared to their previous models. The shape of the ear cups is reminiscent of the 2021 QC 45s, but the physical buttons have been mostly removed, resembling the design of the 700 headphones. The three-button setup for playback and volume control has been replaced with a single multi-function control. The volume adjustment is now touch-sensitive, allowing you to raise or lower the level by gliding your finger across the strip. The headband and hinge have also been refined, featuring a metal construction instead of relying entirely on plastic. Despite these changes, the headphones remain comfortable for long listening sessions.
The software and features of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are accessed through the Bose Music app. The app provides battery life information, a volume slider, and quick access to audio modes, Bluetooth connections, EQ settings, Immersive Audio, shortcut customization, and tips. Bose offers three default audio modes: Quiet, Aware, and Immersion. Quiet mode provides active noise cancellation, Aware mode offers full transparency, and Immersion mode combines maximum ANC with Immersive Audio. The app also allows for the creation of custom modes with adjustable noise cancellation, wind block, and Immersive Audio options. These custom modes can be favorited and accessed through the headphones’ on-board controls.
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Speaking of Immersive Audio, Bose has improved its stock tuning on the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Even before activating the spatial audio feature, the sound is noticeably warmer, clearer, and with more bass. Bose’s spatial audio does not rely on specialized content like Dolby Atmos; instead, it uses a combination of headphone components and new signal processing technology to create an immersive audio experience with any content. Immersive Audio makes the sound louder, providing more presence, clarity, and detail. It aims to put the listener in the acoustic sweet spot, similar to sitting in front of high-end speakers. While this technology can enhance the listening experience, it may also make certain songs sound worse due to the inconsistent signal processing. Nevertheless, Bose is making strides in this area and continues to refine its transparency mode, providing clearer audio for hearing your surroundings.
As expected from Bose, the noise-canceling performance on the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is stellar. The ANC technology effectively blocks out external noise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music or other audio content. Additionally, the headphones offer decent call quality for everyday voice and video calls.
In terms of battery life, Bose claims up to 24 hours of use with ANC turned on. If you enable both ANC and Immersive Audio, the battery life decreases to 18 hours. However, in real-world tests, the headphones exceeded these numbers, with the battery still at 30% after 20 hours of using Immersive Audio. The Quick Charge feature provides two and a half hours of use in just 15 minutes, but this is with ANC on and Immersive Audio off.
In conclusion, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones deliver on their promise of excellent ANC, improved audio quality, and a comfortable design. The addition of Immersive Audio sets them apart from other headphones on the market. While the audio experience can be inconsistent with some songs, Bose continues to refine its spatial audio technology. The transparency mode and noise-canceling performance are top-notch, and the battery life exceeds expectations. If you’re willing to invest in a higher-priced headphone option, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a solid choice for those seeking an immersive audio experience.
