Impactful improvements to a familiar formula

Bose took a unique strategy with its new merchandise in 2025. As a substitute of fully redesigning its QuietComfort Extremely line, the corporate unveiled improved second-generation fashions of flagship-level headphones and earphones. Just like the QuietComfort Extremely headphones that debuted earlier this yr, the brand new Quiet Consolation Extremely headphones ($449) do not provide an all-in-one repair. Nonetheless, the adjustments provide sufficient efficiency enhancements to additional cement these as the perfect noise-canceling headphones you should buy proper now. Belief me, we’re significantly better off with this facelift than ready a yr (or longer) for one thing all-new with the 2023 mannequin.

What’s new in QuietComfort Extremely headphones?

Bose debuted some new options on the second-generation QuietComfort Extremely headphones in August, which they carried over to those new headphones. First, the corporate improved its already stellar lively noise cancellation (ANC) with adjustments to its ActiveSense expertise. Particularly, the system can reply to sudden bursts of environmental noise by adapting extra exactly. It isn’t one thing you may discover on a regular basis, however if you want it, you may be glad it is there. In any other case, the superb ANC efficiency right here is simply as efficient because it was on the earlier mannequin. Extra on that in a bit.

The immersive cinema mode that Bose added to the QC Extremely headphones can also be accessible on these headphones. It is a sound profile that enhances dialogue readability whereas maintaining the remainder of the soundstage as large and enveloping as attainable. I prefer it finest for motion pictures and TV, because the title suggests, however at Bose’s suggestion I additionally tried it with podcasts and audiobooks. Cinema mode might be overkill for these sorts of content material, until you take heed to exhibits or titles with lots of results within the background.

One of many greatest adjustments to the second-generation QC Extremely headphones is how Bose determined to deal with energy administration. Most significantly, the corporate prolonged battery life throughout all use circumstances. With ANC on (and Immersive Audio off), you may rise up to 30 hours of listening time. Flip off ANC and that goes to 45 hours. Once you determine to allow immersive ANC and Bose audio, you may count on as much as 23 hours on a single cost. In comparison with these of the primary technology mannequin, all these figures have elevated by not less than 5 hours, which is a major improve.

Just like the earlier QC Extremely headphones, this mannequin has an auto-disconnect characteristic after 10 minutes of standby time. However the firm went a step additional on this model by including a low-power mode that the headphones enter after half-hour of idle time. And if you wish to detach them rapidly, you may rotate the earbuds and place them on a flat floor. This can trigger them to enter a deeper standby mode that Bose says can final “for months.” All this implies you may successfully flip the brand new QuietComfort Extremely headphones on and off by placing them on and taking them off. Should you use them commonly, you may by no means need to press the ability button.

When it comes to sound, the large enchancment in these headphones is the addition of lossless audio over USB-C. Like AirPods Max, this mannequin may be linked with a cable to your telephone, pill, laptop computer or desktop to stream or play higher-quality tunes from appropriate companies or your library. Bose says you may count on 16-bit 44.1kHz or 48kHz audio relying in your supply. It is one other good characteristic that is changing into customary fare for premium wi-fi headphones.

What else is sweet about QuietComfort Extremely headphones?

Like most Bose over-ear headphones, the second-generation QuietComfort Extremely headphones are extraordinarily comfy. Even for lengthy durations of time, they by no means turn out to be a burden, thanks largely to the gentle ear cushions. I can simply put on these for a whole transatlantic flight with minimal discomfort, and I’ve worn them for days at work from home.

As I already talked about, ANC’s efficiency right here continues to be prime notch. Actually, these QC Extremely headphones will quickly exchange the first-generation mannequin on our checklist of the perfect noise-cancelling headphones. Each Immersion (ANC + spatial audio) and Quiet (ANC solely) modes provide highly effective noise cancellation that surpasses these of Sony, Sennheiser and others. Should you’re making your buy choice based mostly on ANC efficiency alone, that is the most suitable choice. You may take pleasure in aid from fixed ambient noise sources like followers and sound machines, plus the QC Extremely headphones do a good job with individuals’s voices. Heck, I could not even hear my canine ​​barking on the speedy menace of falling leaves exterior.

Lastly, Bose’s tackle spatial audio continues to be fairly good. The corporate calls it Immersive Audio, and the characteristic does not depend on specialised content material like different headsets. Music sounds noticeably fuller and barely louder when the sound profile is lively due to Bose’s methodology of enhancing stereo content material. There’s additionally elevated vocal readability, and parts like percussion and synths are much less compressed than normal. The headphones give a very ethereal really feel to Ruston Kelly’s tracks Faint, by the window, a set of soulful, country-tinged, acoustic-driven tunes. His vocals float on prime enveloping acoustic guitars and tight, arduous drums.

What’s not so nice about QC Extremely headphones?

The largest downside with the second-generation QuietComfort Extremely headphones is the worth. To be clear, corporations like Sony, Apple and others cost about the identical for his or her prime fashions, however $449 continues to be a major funding. If that is too steep for you, Bose has the very succesful QuietComfort headphones in its arsenal for a LESS tastier $359.

My different argument is that the one actual design change Bose has made to the up to date QC Extremely headphones is that the steel headband yokes now have a shiny end. Relying in your private preferences, this can be an answer for you. It’s much less noticeable in black and purple colours, as they’ve a tone-on-tone look. After just a few weeks with the bronze and tan Driftwood Sand shade, I am not a fan of the extra stylized aesthetic. It is noticeable, certain, however it’s a tweak I might have accomplished with out.

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Just like the second-generation QC Extremely headphones over the summer season, Bose did not make main enhancements to the up to date model of the QC Extremely headphones. However what you get here’s a good enchancment over its predecessor. The corporate devised an intuitive setup for energy administration and even addressed one in all my most important gripes with the unique by including help for lossless audio over USB-C. Plus, prolonged battery life is essential in all sound modes, and never simply by an hour or two right here or there. In conclusion, the QuietComfort Extremely headphones stay the most suitable choice for pure noise-canceling potential, and that is not prone to change anytime quickly.