Bose QuietComfort Ultra are some of the most comfortable, best-sounding headphones I’ve tested

Bose QuietComfort Extremely wi-fi headphones

execs and cons

Execs

• Superior ANC
• Snug match
• Balanced sound

Cons

• Battery life might be longer
• Immersive Audio is a hit and miss
• Restrictive carrying case

extra shopping for decisions

I’ve spent a whole lot of time this yr testing and reviewing headphones, some that blew me away and a few that have been simply okay. I’ve significantly spent a whole lot of time with the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones, which have been my day by day driver the longest. The noise-canceling is top-tier, the sound is nice, and the consolation is value each penny.

Once I obtained phrase from Bose {that a} new pair of premium headphones was on the way in which, I did not suppose there was far more Bose may do to take me away from the QuietComfort 45 headphones. So, as soon as I obtained my arms on the QuietComfort Extremelywhich I will confer with because the QC Extremely from right here on out, I had actually excessive hopes.

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Learn on as I element my two-week expertise with the QC Extremely that will help you determine in the event that they’re well worth the big-ticket price ticket.

Specs

How do they match?

The unboxing expertise features a carrying case, the headphones, a mini stereo jack for wired listening, and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable. You’ll find the QC Extremely in Black or White Smoke. I attempted the White Smoke colorway since I used to be already acquainted with the QuietComfort 45 headphones in Black.

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The ear cups are coated in a delicate matte coating, and the hinges connecting the ear cups to the headscarf are fabricated from aluminum, providing a extra sturdy construct high quality and sturdiness. The ear cup and headband padding are comprised of a plushy, delicate protein leather-based materials.

The aluminum headband extenders slide out and in of the headscarf, and they aren’t simply moved. While you put the QC Extremely in your head, you might be tempted to regulate them by gripping the ear cup and sliding it down. Adjusting the headscarf this fashion proved troublesome, which, imagine it or not, is an effective factor, because the headphones are virtually assured to not turn out to be free when you’re sporting them.

Nonetheless, these headphones are exceptionally snug. Compared to different flagship headphones, the QC Extremely are extra snug than another pair that I’ve worn — together with these from Apple and Sony.

The ear cups are deep and oval, providing respiration room in your ears and a real over-ear match. Hours-long put on is definitely potential with the QC Extremely, as they distribute their weight evenly throughout your ears and head.

Warmth buildup contained in the QC Extremely’s ear cups is minimal, and the clamp pressure is not too tight. Any of my spectacled buddies on the market will discover consolation whereas sporting the QC Extremely, and the thick ear cup padding retains your glasses from letting an excessive amount of exterior noise into the headphones.

The carrying case is similar to the QuietComfort 45’s case, however the QC Extremely case has a molding to put the ear cups in. I am not the most important fan of this design since you should slide the headscarf adjusters again into the headscarf for the headphones to slot in the case.

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Discovering the candy spot within the QC Extremely’s match takes a couple of rounds of taking them off, adjusting, and placing them again on. So, having to totally reset the match simply to make use of the case is counterintuitive and impractical.

How do the Bose QuietComfort Extremely sound?

With these headphones, Bose improved the excessive and low frequencies in order that, even at low volumes, the layering of vocals and instrumentals is discernible. Whereas listening to Breathe Deeper by Tame Impala, the synth, guitar notes, piano chords, vocals, and bass, all sounded detailed, easy, and clear.

That mentioned, you continue to should not purchase these Bose headphones in hopes of professional-caliber audio. If I needed to nitpick, the identical audio drivers from the cheaper Bose 700 are within the QC Extremely. After all, extra goes into audio high quality than inner drivers, however some up to date {hardware} would not damage for the Bose’s output, particularly when the Bose 700 debuted 4 years in the past.

Thankfully, it is clear that Bose’s years of analysis and growth culminated in creating the QC Extremely headphones, because the noise-canceling is undeniably the very best I’ve tried in any pair of headphones. In reality, Bose’s aviation headphones are among the many hottest for business airline pilots who spend hours, if not days, in noisy cockpits. That very same expertise is embedded within the QC Extremely. The Conscious Mode can be the very best that I’ve examined from Bose to date.

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One thing else that is new with the QC Extremely headphones is Bose’s tackle spatial audio: Immersive Audio. It is much like Apple’s Spatial Audio and Sony’s 360 Actuality Audio, besides there aren’t any software program or {hardware} limitations.

Meaning you do not want a appropriate machine or streaming service to expertise Bose’s Immersive Audio function. It is a intelligent and bold transfer by Bose, and I actually get pleasure from it. Immersive Audio expands the soundstage to get the music away out of your head, delivering an ethereal, multidimensional audio expertise.

You need to use Immersive Audio in “Nonetheless” mode whenever you’re stationary and in “Movement” to maintain the function working nicely as you progress round. Some songs sound nice, with noticeable depth in Immersive Audio, and a few songs fall flat with the expertise. To not point out, this function is an authorized battery drainer.

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One other new function is wind noise discount, which decreases the wind’s means to intervene together with your audio or calling expertise. I did not have any points listening to or being heard by the individual on the opposite finish of calls, even when exterior.

For players and leisure geeks, the QC Extremely headphones are geared up with the AptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec, which guarantees steady connection, 24-bit audio, and decrease latency. AptX is appropriate with most Android gadgets and Apple’s Mac computer systems.

Utilizing the companion app

Within the Bose Music companion app, you may tune the QC Extremely’s EQ settings on a three-band equalizer. Bose’s EQ settings aren’t essentially the most detailed, however they’re definitely possible for those who’re simply eager to squeak out a bit of extra bass or treble.

It’s also possible to use the app to create a shortcut for the contact strip of the headphones, which, by default, is used to extend or lower quantity. In case you create a shortcut, you may contact and maintain the capacitive strip to summon your voice assistant, hear the QC Extremely battery stage, cycle by means of Immersive Audio settings, or play music from Spotify.

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I like to recommend familiarizing your self with the app to personalize your machine controls. When you try this, you possible will not ever should open the app once more except there’s new firmware to put in.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I like to recommend the Bose QuietComfort Extremely headphones to anybody searching for a high-end pair of headphones that they’ll put on day by day. With the QC Extremely, Bose fused collectively the very best options of its premium Bose 700 headphones and iconic QuietComfort line, and the years of maturation paid off.

One caveat that is value noting; there is no enchancment in battery life from the QuietComfort 45 to the QC Extremely. For an “Extremely” mannequin, I might’ve anticipated a better endurance ranking.

As an alternative, consolation, model, and noise-canceling are the highlights of the QC Extremely headphones, and if the three points are as precious to you as they’re to me, then look no additional than the most recent from Bose.

Alternate options to think about

BEST SONY ALTERNATIVE

Sony WH-1000XM5 wi-fi headphones

Sony’s newest flagship headphones and Bose’s newest flagship headphones have many similarities, however Sony’s headphones ship six extra hours of battery life than Bose’s. Beginning at $400, you may seize the WH-1000XM5 for $30 lower than the QuietComfort Extremely.

BEST APPLE ALTERNATIVE

Apple AirPods Max

Apple’s AirPods Max are finest for individuals who do not wish to enterprise exterior of the Apple machine ecosystem. Their battery life is brief for his or her worth, however their integration with Apple gadgets is a spotlight for a lot of. Nevertheless, the AirPods Max are $120 greater than the Bose QuietComfort Extremely.

BEST SOUND

Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones are a snug and trendy pair of headphones with impeccable sound high quality. The ANC is on the weaker facet, however the Momentum 4’s marathon 60-hour battery is very spectacular. For $380, the Momentum 4 are essentially the most reasonably priced headphones on the high-end market and their sound high quality is unbeatable.