Quick Summary
Featuring a new design and enhanced features that have trickled down from the brand's QC Headphones Ultra model, the 2nd Gen QC Headphones also upgrade the active noise-cancelling (ANC) technology – which is now renamed QuietControl.
Bose makes some of the best noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones on the planet – as the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones make abundantly clear.
The New York-based company also makes step-down over-ears as part of its line-up, dropping the 'Ultra' for the QuietComfort Headphones namesake.
Now, Bose has revealed its updated take, in the aptly named QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen, which add a variety of design changes and feature updates.
QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen: What's New?
- Updated design with adjustable sliders and faux-leather cushioning
- Addition of Bose's TrueSpatial technology (Still, Motion, Cinema)
- ANC renamed as QuietControl, improved performance
- Lossless playback via wired USB-C (to 24-bit/48kHz)
- Battery life reduction (24h / 18h with Immersive)
- New colourways and two-tone design
The 2nd Gen version of Bose's QuietComfort Headphones aren't akin to the originals with new colourways – although the addition of new colour options is part of the latest.
Instead, Bose has redesigned the QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen with new materials for greater comfort, plus updated adjustable sliders for the headband fit.
The active noise-cancelling (ANC) technology has been renamed QuietControl – presumably a staple for Bose products moving forward? – and brings some enhancements for poor fit.
Bose specifically cites its improvement for glasses wearers, where an imperfect seal due to glasses stems can be optimised for, still offering great ANC results.
A feature previously reserved for the Ultra model also trickles down to this new 2nd Gen Headphones: the TrueSpatial technology brings a trio of motion controls – Still, Motion, Cinema – that adapt to the wearer's head movements, depending on the desired effect.
However, the quoted battery life is now lower as result of these design changes. It's still good, though, with up to 24 hours per charge, or a maximum of 18 hours with the Immersion mode of ANC activated.
If you're keen to keep the cord and ditch wireless mode, then the QuietComfort Headphones 2 also introduce a lossless playback via wired USB-C, for 24-bit/48kHz audio.
Or simply you want the ability to handily use a cable, should you want to plug into, say, an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system on your travels.
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen are available for pre-order right now (you'll need to sign up to MyBose for early access), with an on-sale date set for 13 August. They're priced at £299.95 in the UK, with other regional pricing to be confirmed.
The price remains the same irrelevant of which colour you pick, too. The staple Black and White Smoke duo return, but there's also a trio of new additions: Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint, Rosewood Mauve. These seem to embody a 90s nostalgic movement.
