Bose QuietComfort Ultra review: A rightful heir to the ANC throne

Bose QuietComfort Extremely wi-fi headphones

professionals and cons

Execs

• Superior ANC
• Comfy 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 12 months testing and reviewing headphones, some that blew me away and a few that have been simply okay. I’ve notably spent a whole lot of time with the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones, which have been my each day driver the longest. The noise-canceling is top-tier, the sound is nice, and the consolation is price each penny.

Once I received phrase from Bose {that a} new pair of premium headphones was on the way in which, I did not assume there was way more Bose may do to take me away from the QuietComfort 45 headphones. So, as soon as I received my palms on the QuietComfort Extremelywhich I am going to seek advice from because the QC Extremely from right here on out, I had actually excessive hopes.

Additionally: Overlook AirPods Professional: These Bose noise-cancelling earbuds sound higher and really feel premium

Learn on as I element my two-week expertise with the QC Extremely that can assist 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 will discover 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 mushy matte coating, and the hinges connecting the ear cups to the scarf are product of aluminum, providing a extra sturdy construct high quality and sturdiness. The ear cup and headband padding are constructed from a plushy, mushy protein leather-based materials.

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

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

The ear cups are deep and oval, providing respiratory room in your ears and a real over-ear match. Hours-long put on is definitely attainable 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 power 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 outdoors 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 largest fan of this design since you should slide the scarf adjusters again into the scarf 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, clean, and clear.

That stated, 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. In fact, extra goes into audio high quality than inside drivers, however some up to date {hardware} would not harm for the Bose’s output, particularly when the Bose 700 debuted 4 years in the past.

Fortuitously, it is clear that Bose’s years of analysis and growth culminated in creating the QC Extremely headphones, because the noise-canceling is undeniably one of the best I’ve tried in any pair of headphones. The truth is, 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, Bose’s title for transparency mode, can also be one of the 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.

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

You should utilize Immersive Audio in “Nonetheless” mode if 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 a licensed battery drainer.

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One other new function is wind noise discount, which decreases the wind’s potential to intrude 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 outdoors.

For players and leisure geeks, the QC Extremely headphones are outfitted with the AptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec, which guarantees secure 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 possibly can tune the QC Extremely’s EQ settings on a three-band equalizer. Bose’s EQ settings aren’t probably the most detailed, however they’re definitely possible for those who’re simply eager to squeak out somewhat extra bass or treble.

You can even use the app to create a shortcut for the contact strip of the headphones, which, by default, is used to extend or lower quantity. When you create a shortcut, you possibly can contact and maintain the capacitive strip to summon your voice assistant, hear the QC Extremely battery stage, cycle by way 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 gadget controls. When you try this, you doubtless will not ever need to 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 in search of a high-end pair of headphones that they will put on each day. With the QC Extremely, Bose fused collectively one of the best options of its premium Bose 700 headphones and iconic QuietComfort line, and the years of maturation paid off.

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

As an alternative, consolation, model, and noise-canceling are the highlights of the QC Extremely headphones, and if the three points are as useful 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 possibly can seize the WH-1000XM5 for $30 lower than the QuietComfort Extremely.

BEST APPLE ALTERNATIVE

Apple AirPods Max

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

BEST SOUND

Sennheiser Momentum 4

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones are a cushty and trendy pair of headphones with impeccable sound high quality. The ANC is on the weaker aspect, however the Momentum 4’s marathon 60-hour battery is extremely spectacular. For $380, the Momentum 4 are probably the most inexpensive headphones on the high-end market and their sound high quality is unbeatable.