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Bose basically kickstarted the noise cancelling headphones market, and its latest pair of QuietComfort headphones builds on the formula that has made Bose so successful for over 20 years.
The second-generation QuietComfort Headphones bring a proper redesign, oval earcups, and a feature that used to be locked to the pricier QuietComfort Ultra: Bose Immersive Audio.
That's powered by new Bose TrueSpatial technology (also seen in the excellent Lifestyle Ultra speaker), and it unlocks three listening modes.
Still Mode keeps the sound anchored in the room as your head turns, Motion Mode lets audio track your movement for something closer to normal stereo on the move, and Cinema Mode widens the soundstage for movies and podcasts while keeping dialogue centred and clear.
Bose has also renamed its noise cancellation tech to QuietControl which offers a six-microphone system with new adaptive feedforward controls designed to compensate when the seal around your ears isn't perfect. That's ideal for anyone who wears glasses, has thick hair, or likes a beanie in winter.
There's also a smoother ActiveSense response in Aware Mode, meant to soften sudden noise spikes like a passing train rather than clamping down abruptly.
On the comfort side, Bose has redone the headband with adjustable sliders and softer synthetic leather padding, and tweaked the clamping force for a lighter, more secure fit.
The oval earcups give the whole thing a cleaner profile than the outgoing model, with hidden two-tone colour pops inside.
Connectivity gets a bump, with Bluetooth 5.4 and Multipoint for switching between two devices, Google Fast Pair for Android users, and two-way USB-C audio that supports lossless playback up to 24bit/48kHz over a wired connection.
A USB-C to 3.5mm cable is included for in-flight entertainment systems and other analogue sources.
Bose rates battery life at up to 24 hours, or 18 hours with Immersive Audio switched on, and a 15-minute quick charge gets you 2.5 hours of playback. You can also charge while wearing them.
If you've already got a pair of the excellent Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Sennheiser Momentum 5, the QuietComfort Headphones are shaping up as Bose's answer to both, splitting the difference between comfort-first design and useful new software features.
Specs at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 AUD |
| Colours | Black, White Smoke, Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint, Rosewood Mauve (limited edition) |
| Noise cancellation | Bose QuietControl with six-microphone system and adaptive feedforward controls |
| Listening modes | Noise cancellation: Quiet, Aware, ANR Off. Audio: Stereo, Immersive, Cinema (Still, Motion and Cinema spatial modes) |
| Connectivity | Multipoint Bluetooth 5.4, lossless audio via USB, Spotify Tap, Google Fast Pair |
| Wired audio | Lossless up to 24bit/48kHz via USB-C; USB-C to 3.5mm cable included |
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours (18 hours in Immersive). Full charge in 3 hours; 15-minute quick charge gives 2.5 hours. Can charge while wearing |
| Dimensions | 23.11cm W x 18.5cm H x 4.65cm D |
| Weight | 0.23kg |
| In the box | QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), carry case, USB-C to USB-C cable (1m), 3.5mm to USB-C aux cable (1m), safety sheet |
| App features | Product setup, listening modes, adjustable three-band EQ, controls and settings, firmware updates |
Pricing and availability
The QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are priced at $549.95 and open for preorder on Bose.com.au from 7 August.
Preorders open with select retailers from 8 August, ahead of general availability on 13 August.
Black and White Smoke will be the standard ongoing colours, with Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint and Rosewood Mauve available as limited-edition options at launch.
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