GoKawiilis a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.
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Bose announced a new version of its Ultra Open Earbuds that helped kick off the industry trend of clip-on wireless earbuds nearly two-and-a-half years ago. The new Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) feature a subtle redesign with improved performance in both sound quality and battery life. They’re also joined by a new cheaper alternative called the Bose Sport Open Earbuds designed to provide a more secure and stable fit during physical activities.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) will be available for preorder on September 19th for $299 with availability starting on October 1st. Color options include black, white smoke, cherry chocolate, olive green, and sky pink. Preorders and availability for the Bose Sport Open Earbuds are the same, but they’re $100 cheaper at $199. Colors include black, white smoke, and eucalyptus green.
The design of the Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) remains mostly the same aside from aesthetic improvements. Image: Bose
Like the original version, the new Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) feature a design that clips to your outer ear with a transducer that directs audio into your ear canal with “minimal sound leakage,” Bose claims. There’s still no ANC because these are designed to do the exact opposite and let you hear what’s going on around you while enjoying music or a podcast.
In addition to a refreshed design with a new beveled finish on each earbud’s metal cap, the 2nd Gen feature a new driver delivering higher volume with automatic adjustments and deeper bass. A new Cinema Mode simulates a “wider, more immersive soundstage” using Bose’s TrueSpatial technology while keeping dialogue clear and centered. Battery life with the buds alone has been boosted to up to nine hours (from seven hours) with an additional 19.5 hours of playback from the redesigned case that can now stand upright for use on a wireless charger.
An added bumpy texture on the Sport Open Earbuds’ customizable buttons makes them easier to locate by touch. Image: Bose
The Bose Sport Open Earbuds take a similar approach with a design that clips to your ear to project sounds inward, but they feature a thinner cuff with a “soft silicone matte finish” providing more grip to keep them in place. Bose says the Sport version will stay secure during head shakes, cartwheels, and running. They also feature automatic volume adjustments that adapt to ambient noise levels to ensure what you’re listening to isn’t drowned out, and the customizable shortcut button on the end of each battery barrel has an added texture, so they’re easier to find while working out. Battery life is rated at up to seven hours of playback plus an additional 22 hours with the wireless charging case.