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Bose just made its QC Ultras harder to justify.
At 8.5, its noise cancelling beats 70% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 64 of the 242 we've cataloged.
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Usb-c is the most common — on 89% of the 138 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 242).
5.4 appears on 11% of the 152 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 242).
Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 252 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 242).
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 200 of 242 we've cataloged.
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Frequency Response (measured on a B&K 5128)
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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 | 5.1 |
| 25 | 5.5 |
| 32 | 5.9 |
| 40 | 5.8 |
| 50 | 5.3 |
| 63 | 4.5 |
| 80 | 3.7 |
| 100 | 2.8 |
| 125 | 1.8 |
| 160 | 0.4 |
| 200 | -0.7 |
| 250 | -2.0 |
| 315 | -3.2 |
| 400 | -3.3 |
| 500 | -2.4 |
| 630 | -1.1 |
| 800 | 0.2 |
| 1000 | -1.2 |
| 1250 | -0.2 |
| 1600 | 1.4 |
| 2000 | 6.8 |
| 2500 | 7.4 |
| 3150 | 7.6 |
| 4000 | 9.0 |
| 5000 | 2.7 |
| 6300 | 1.8 |
| 8000 | 7.1 |
| 10000 | -0.2 |
| 12500 | 3.1 |
| 16000 | -1.9 |
| 20000 | -13.0 |
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Attenuation (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Solid lines: passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Dashed lines: total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. 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 |
| 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 verdict
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.
✓Liked: ANC, Comfort, Sound Quality, USB-C audio
✕Could be better: Wind noise in Aware Mode, Shorter battery life than competitors, SBC and AAC only, Frequency response changes with ANC off
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Own the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)?
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What readers ask about the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), answered by the people who own it.
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Ask the first question →Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
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Chase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerWe torture test hundreds of microphones a year; how does the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) fare?Earbuds aren't perfect, but we'll let you be the judge
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Tom TriggsContributor
3 of 5 would buy again
5 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
Comfort beat their expectations
Expected more from the fit and build
The battery beat their expectations
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Comfort beat their expectations
0 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · 2 photo-verified
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations