Today, Bose is unveiling the next-generation of its flagship wireless earbuds with the new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). The previous models are widely considered to be among the best options out there, going toe-to-toe with Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and Sony’s XM5 buds, but now Bose is going to be the first to jump into the next-generation with what could be anywhere from 6 months or (much) more of a head start on the expected upcoming AirPods Pro 3. The new edition brings everything we already know and love about the current version alongside some key improvements in the adaptive noise cancellation, voice pickup, and wireless charging departments.
New Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Firstly, Bose clearly wants everyone to know the new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) retain the hallmarks of the QuietComfort lineup with “world-class noise cancellation, high-quality audio, and legendary comfort and stability.” But this time it is focusing on some subtle quality of life design changes, a smoother adaptive noise cancellation experience for the listener, and to deliver “wireless charging right out of the box.”
They once again feature Bose’s proprietary CustomTune sound calibration technology to “personalize audio and noise cancellation performance to the unique shape of a listener’s ear” and the environment they are listening in. The brand has implemented an updated AI algorithm that is now “layered on top of this technology” that improves the “ActiveSense experience when in Aware Mode” alongside a “more refined” noise cancellation experience.
Changes in noise cancellation levels are now smoother than before when the system is adjusting to filter out sudden spikes of noise, preventing audio content from being drowned out by the sound of a passing train or a nearby siren
On the call side of things, the new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) feature a new AI-powered noise suppression system leveraging “eight microphones, dynamic mixing, and adaptive filters.” That, in combination with the “Bose audio augmentation technology originally developed for hearing aids,” the buds can more effectively block out things like wind or office noise/chatter “whether using one earbud, or both, while keeping the speaker’s voicevfront, center,and clear.”
One of those subtle design improvements referred to above includes a new guard to prevent wax buildup – it makes it easier to capture and remove earwax before it gets inside the bud, according to Bose.
Additional features at a glance:
- Wireless charging out of the box
- Up to six hours of battery life in the buds alone
- Charging case holds up to three additional charges
- 20-minute quick charge for up to additional 2 hours
- Capacitive touch controls can now be toggled off in the app
- Bluetooth Core 5.3 multipoint connectivity
- Low Complexity Sub band Coding (SBC)
- Low Complexity Sub band Coding (SBC)
- Qualcomm aptX Adaptive
- Google Fast Pair
The new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) will carry a list price at $299 and are scheduled to go up for pre-order and release ”later this summer” in Black, White Smoke, and Deep Plum.
It remains to be seen just how much of an improvement the next-gen set will deliver over the current model. It looks like we are getting the same battery life, but the enhanced adaptive noise cancellation and call quality could be a game changer, especially considering the new set is landing at the same price as the Gen 1.
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