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How do you convince yourself to pay $400+ for a pair of headphones that look and operate almost identically to the previous generation? That's a question I hope to answer, and a question Bose hopes its latest flagship headphones will answer based on their performance alone.
Also: I compared the two best ANC earbuds by Apple and Bose, and there's a sonic difference
I spent months now working, traveling, and lounging in the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2), which I'll refer to as the QC Ultra 2, searching for how Bose spent two years making them more "ultra" than their predecessor. Without major upgrades to design, speaker drivers, or noise cancellation performance, I'll have to dig deep.
It's easy to position the Sony WH-1000XM6 as QC Ultra 2's direct competitor, but I wonder: are the QC Ultra 2 competing with their predecessors as much as they are with other brands? Let's find out.
Same look, smarter details
The QC Ultra 2's defining theme is that they don't attempt to rewrite Bose's legacy; rather, they refine it. They look identical to the first generation, except for the yokes, which swap a matte aluminum finish for a shiny, polished metal finish.
The QC Ultra 2's earcups are slightly shallower than those of their predecessor, which can cause fit issues for people with larger heads and ears. Otherwise, the look, feel, and fit of the QC Ultra 2 don't bring notable changes, which isn't necessarily a bad thing -- if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Bose QC Ultra (Gen 1) (left); Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2) (right). Jada Jones/ZDNET
More significant upgrades lie in the smaller details, including USB-C audio support, available at up to 16-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz. Thus, the QC Ultra 2 are better suited for gaming or more faithful listening than the first generation. Unlike the Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max, the QC Ultra 2 retain their 3.5mm headphone jack, which is great news for frequent flyers. And unlike the Sony XM6, which do not support USB-C audio, you can listen through the QC Ultra 2's USB-C port, even while charging them.
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