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Bose just made its QC Ultras harder to justify.
At 8.5, its noise cancelling beats 76% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 59 of the 236 we've cataloged.
Own the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)?
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Leave an owner noteUsb-c is the most common — on 88% of the 136 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 236).
5.4 appears on 11% of the 146 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 236).
Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 235 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 236).
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 195 of 236 we've cataloged.
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 6.3 |
| 25 | 6.8 |
| 32 | 7.1 |
| 40 | 7.0 |
| 50 | 6.5 |
| 63 | 5.7 |
| 80 | 5.0 |
| 100 | 4.1 |
| 125 | 3.0 |
| 160 | 1.7 |
| 200 | 0.5 |
| 250 | -0.8 |
| 315 | -1.9 |
| 400 | -2.1 |
| 500 | -1.2 |
| 630 | 0.1 |
| 800 | 1.4 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 1.1 |
| 1600 | 2.6 |
| 2000 | 8.1 |
| 2500 | 8.7 |
| 3150 | 8.8 |
| 4000 | 10.2 |
| 5000 | 3.9 |
| 6300 | 3.0 |
| 8000 | 8.3 |
| 10000 | 1.0 |
| 12500 | 4.3 |
| 16000 | -0.7 |
| 20000 | -11.8 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -0.8 |
| 26 | -0.4 |
| 33 | 0.3 |
| 41 | -0.1 |
| 52 | -1.2 |
| 65 | 0.8 |
| 82 | -3.1 |
| 103 | -5.7 |
| 130 | -4.2 |
| 163 | 0.6 |
| 205 | 4.4 |
| 259 | 8.9 |
| 325 | 12.7 |
| 410 | 10.5 |
| 516 | 12.2 |
| 613 | 14.0 |
| 772 | 16.5 |
| 972 | 19.5 |
| 1220 | 23.4 |
| 1540 | 28.7 |
| 1940 | 25.8 |
| 2440 | 32.1 |
| 3070 | 29.6 |
| 3870 | 37.9 |
| 4870 | 48.2 |
| 6130 | 44.3 |
| 7720 | 49.6 |
| 9720 | 42.8 |
| 12200 | 29.7 |
| 15400 | 37.7 |
| 19400 | 36.5 |
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 1.3 |
| 26 | 7.4 |
| 33 | 22.4 |
| 41 | 28.5 |
| 52 | 22.0 |
| 65 | 24.4 |
| 82 | 24.2 |
| 103 | 22.9 |
| 130 | 22.9 |
| 163 | 23.3 |
| 205 | 22.1 |
| 259 | 21.8 |
| 325 | 22.9 |
| 410 | 27.2 |
| 516 | 34.5 |
| 613 | 33.2 |
| 772 | 25.1 |
| 972 | 25.7 |
| 1220 | 26.1 |
| 1540 | 25.3 |
| 1940 | 19.6 |
| 2440 | 26.1 |
| 3070 | 28.2 |
| 3870 | 31.4 |
| 4870 | 45.7 |
| 6130 | 43.2 |
| 7720 | 42.9 |
| 9720 | 42.7 |
| 12200 | 32.1 |
| 15400 | 36.3 |
| 19400 | 36.3 |
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) continue to live up to their name with better ANC, good sound, and a comfortable, lightweight fit you can wear for hours. Add in USB-C audio and some welcome upgrades, and anyone considering the more expensive QC Ultras should seriously consider these before spending the extra cash.
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Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
Own the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.




1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Comfort over long sessions — as expected








