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Bose's new top-of-the-line headphones are a welcome upgrade over past models.
At 8.5, its noise cancelling beats 70% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 64 of the 243 we've cataloged.
A 4.6 puts its audio quality in the top quarter of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 49 of the 243 we've cataloged.
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below average for over-ear headphones — based on 160 of 243 we've cataloged.
Usb-c is the most common — on 89% of the 139 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 243).
5.3 appears on 25% of the 153 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 243).
Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 252 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 243).
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st 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 | 6.4 |
| 25 | 8.6 |
| 32 | 9.5 |
| 40 | 8.6 |
| 50 | 7.2 |
| 63 | 5.3 |
| 80 | 4.7 |
| 100 | 3.8 |
| 125 | 2.5 |
| 160 | 0.8 |
| 200 | -0.5 |
| 250 | -1.5 |
| 315 | -2.3 |
| 400 | -2.6 |
| 500 | -2.5 |
| 630 | -1.7 |
| 800 | -1.2 |
| 1000 | 0.3 |
| 1250 | 3.7 |
| 1600 | 3.2 |
| 2000 | 3.4 |
| 2500 | 6.0 |
| 3150 | 4.9 |
| 4000 | 4.9 |
| 5000 | 3.0 |
| 6300 | 5.3 |
| 8000 | 3.3 |
| 10000 | 2.0 |
| 12500 | -1.9 |
| 16000 | -10.5 |
| 20000 | -19.1 |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st 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 | -2.8 |
| 26 | 2.2 |
| 33 | 0.3 |
| 41 | 0.5 |
| 52 | 0.3 |
| 65 | -1.1 |
| 82 | -2.9 |
| 103 | -4.4 |
| 130 | -4.0 |
| 163 | 1.3 |
| 205 | 4.0 |
| 259 | 8.7 |
| 325 | 11.7 |
| 410 | 11.1 |
| 516 | 11.9 |
| 613 | 14.1 |
| 772 | 19.7 |
| 972 | 18.8 |
| 1220 | 21.3 |
| 1540 | 19.7 |
| 1940 | 24.6 |
| 2440 | 26.4 |
| 3070 | 24.7 |
| 3870 | 29.4 |
| 4870 | 40.2 |
| 6130 | 41.1 |
| 7720 | 51.0 |
| 9720 | 47.8 |
| 12200 | 46.7 |
| 15400 | 49.6 |
| 19400 | 36.2 |
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 9.1 |
| 26 | 13.1 |
| 33 | 21.3 |
| 41 | 26.8 |
| 52 | 24.4 |
| 65 | 19.8 |
| 82 | 22.2 |
| 103 | 24.9 |
| 130 | 27.3 |
| 163 | 27.9 |
| 205 | 27.2 |
| 259 | 26.7 |
| 325 | 29.8 |
| 410 | 33.8 |
| 516 | 38.4 |
| 613 | 34.4 |
| 772 | 34.4 |
| 972 | 28.3 |
| 1220 | 21.9 |
| 1540 | 24.3 |
| 1940 | 29.6 |
| 2440 | 26.7 |
| 3070 | 23.8 |
| 3870 | 28.2 |
| 4870 | 40.1 |
| 6130 | 42.3 |
| 7720 | 49.2 |
| 9720 | 44.5 |
| 12200 | 47.0 |
| 15400 | 50.0 |
| 19400 | 36.2 |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen) MDAQS
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores, Scale 1 - 5
Virtual mean opinion scores (MOS) on a 1–5 scale, modeled from the measured response by HEAD acoustics’ MDAQS (Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score) model. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
The verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy.
✓Liked: Great ANC, Good passthrough mode, Snapdragon Sound, aptX Lossless
✕Could be better: Price, No IP rating, Immersive audio, Some channel matching issues
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Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSonos or Bose? Here's how I'd choose my home theaterBoth systems provide an immersive experience, but what you plan to add later could make one a much better fit.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSkip the $129 Bose SoundLink Micro: Here are 2 look-alikes I'd buy for lessYou don't have to spend a lot of money to get a great ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker. Here's two I'd recommend instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterBose SoundTouch is officially dead, but your speakers may still surviveBose didn’t completely brick SoundTouch speakers, but the shutdown still changed what owners originally paid for.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterDon't buy the JBL Charge 6. Buy these three speakers insteadThe JBL Charge 6 is a solid speaker, but these three alternatives may be worth buying instead.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterApple just took down Bose at their own gameFor decades, Bose has prided itself on this one major advantage of their headphones and earbuds. Now, Apple has beat them at their own game.
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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
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · owners report ~55 h per charge vs 53.77 h claimed
The battery beat their expectations
