Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra: Top-tier wireless audio and noise cancellation excellence
Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones. Pictures: Noel Campion.
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra aims to redefine your audio encounters with its wireless capabilities and top-tier noise cancellation. It comes with a hefty price tag that puts it in the premium range for wireless headphones — more expensive than the Sony WH-1000XM5 but cheaper than the Apple AirPods Max.
The QC Ultra exudes sophistication thanks to the simple yet stylish combination of plastic and metal elements. Little details like the rubber anti-clash dot on the headphone cups prevent damage and soften the sound when the cups hit against the headband, contributing to a premium feel.
The left ear cup has a small LED indicator light, a USB-C port for charging and a 2.5mm headphone jack — a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable is included in the box.
Having the flexibility to connect with a cable is undeniably convenient. However, given the increasing trend of smartphones abandoning the 3.5mm headphone jack, one can't help but speculate whether this traditional connector will eventually become obsolete for wireless headphones.
The XM5s from Sony faced considerable backlash for their redesign as they could not fold. In contrast, the QC Ultras address this concern by using a foldable design that allows them to lie flat and fit into a stylish, compact hardshell case, ideal for travel.
When wearing the QC Ultra, you will feel surrounded by soft leather foam material, which makes for a cosy and pleasant wear. The headphones snugly fit on your head, distributing weight evenly with the adjustable friction locking mechanism on the headband. While it may feel a bit snug initially, the overall comfort is impressive, catering to various ear sizes and shapes. They feel super light at only 254g, and I felt no fatigue after wearing them for hours.
With a focus on simplicity, the QC Ultra features a minimalistic set of three controls for basic functionality. Two buttons handle power and Bluetooth pairing, connect two devices simultaneously, and are your go-to control for play, pause, skip track, and more. The third control is a capacity touch strip on the bottom side of the right earcup, which offers a unique touch to your audio adjustments.
Running my finger along the strip offered great precision when fine-tuning the volume. You can also touch and hold the volume strip as a shortcut to hear the battery level, cycle through Immersive Audio modes, summon your voice assistant or resume Spotify.
When you remove the headphones, they enter sleep mode to save battery after 10 minutes. When you put them on, they wake up and power off completely if you don’t use them for 24 hours. You can change the auto-off time in the app settings.
The Bose app works well with the headphones, allowing minimal but effective customisation. Naming your headphones, switching between paired source devices, adjusting the three-band EQ, and selecting immersive modes are among the limited yet impactful features. Bose keeps it simple, acknowledging that sometimes less is more regarding smart headphone functionalities.
Bose knows its audience, delivering a sound profile that leans towards the fun side. The boosted bass is punchy and clear, maintaining a balance that prevents muffled mid-range vocals. While not the most transparent and natural-sounding option, they offer an enjoyable listening experience many users will appreciate.
I plugged the headphones into my Macbook Pro and Chord Mojo 2 headphone DAC Amp for testing purposes. This should provide the best possible fidelity from your audio since it doesn’t have to stream it over lossy Bluetooth. By using the cable, you will still get all the advantages of ANC, immersive audio and transparency modes. However, it's important to note that, unlike in Bluetooth mode, the audio won't automatically pause when the headphones are removed, and the onboard microphones and playback controls will not be operational either.
Bose truly shines in its noise-cancellation capabilities. The QC Ultra takes the crown with superb noise cancellation, rivalled only by a select few in the market. From reducing office chatter and keyboard clicks to subduing the low, bassy tones of aeroplane engine rumbles, the Ultras take noise cancelling to the next level with their class-leading technology.
The transparency mode stands out, providing a natural, immersive experience that rivals the competition.
With a battery life of 24 hours, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra falls slightly short compared to Sennheiser's 60 hours. The immersive audio feature adds a unique touch, making your audio feel in the room with you. While it may be considered a gimmick, it adds an element of fun to the overall experience, albeit at the expense of battery life. While I’m not an audiophile or audio purist, I’m not a massive fan of 3D, spatial or immersive audio for stereo music. I prefer to listen to music in its stereo mix, but your mileage may vary. The only exception I would make is for live recordings.
In movies with multitrack-recorded soundtracks, immersive audio creates a more engaging experience. Even with just two speakers, it enhances the overall cinematic immersion and the Ultras do an excellent job here.
Despite minor drawbacks, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra justifies its hefty price point with premium comfort, a sophisticated design, and unparalleled noise cancellation. If you're seeking a top-tier Bluetooth headphone experience, especially in noise cancellation, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra is a strong contender in the market.
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