• Bose’s new QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) launch at a $449 price, matching the previous model and rivaling Apple’s AirPods Max in cost bloomberg.com gizmodo.com. They are available for preorder now and will hit stores on October 2, 2025 bloomberg.com.
• Upgraded Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) – Bose promises smoother, more adaptive noise canceling that remains industry-leading gizmodo.com engadget9342.rssing.com, filtering out ambient sounds better than ever to compete with Sony’s latest WH-1000XM series.
• Longer battery life – Up to 30 hours of listening with ANC on (up from ~24h prior) gizmodo.com, or an impressive 45 hours with ANC turned off for passive listening theverge.com theverge.com.
• Spatial audio “Immersive Audio” with new Cinema Mode – Delivers a wider, movie-like soundstage that clarifies dialogue while preserving impactful background audio theverge.com. Head-tracking modes and the new Cinema Mode create more engaging listening for movies, music videos, podcasts and more.
• Hi-fi and Apple-friendly features – Finally supports lossless audio over USB-C for wired digital listening gizmodo.com (ideal now that iPhones use USB-C), plus Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint pairing and aptX Adaptive codec for high-quality wireless sound theverge.com. No dongles needed for wired listening on modern phones gizmodo.com.
• Refined design and comfort – Nearly identical to the first-gen QuietComfort Ultra, but with polished metal yokes and premium finishes bloomberg.com. New color options (black, white smoke, driftwood sand, and midnight violet) give a fresh look theverge.com while Bose’s signature plush ear pads and lightweight fit continue to excel in comfort.
• Competitive edge – Bose is positioning these headphones to reclaim the ANC crown from rivals newsnow.co.uk. With enhanced features and sound, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 aim to outclass Sony’s WH-1000XM5/6 and challenge Apple’s AirPods Max on audio quality, noise canceling, and overall experience.

Introduction: A New Challenger in Premium Headphones

Bose’s QuietComfort line has long been synonymous with top-tier noise-canceling headphones. On Sept 5, 2025, Bose introduced its second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones, a flagship pair designed to fend off growing competition from Sony and Apple bloomberg.com. Priced at $449 – the same as the previous model – the new QuietComfort Ultra 2 arrives with a suite of upgrades aimed at maintaining Bose’s ANC leadership and delivering more immersive sound for listeners bloomberg.com. The headphones go on sale October 2, 2025, with preorders already live bloomberg.com. This report dives into the QuietComfort Ultra 2’s features, performance, and how it stacks up against key rivals like the AirPods Max, Sony’s WH-1000XM series, and Sennheiser’s Momentum 4.

Design and Comfort Enhancements

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) in the new Driftwood Sand finish, featuring polished metal headband yokes for a more premium look bloomberg.com theverge.com.

At first glance, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 looks very similar to its first-generation predecessor – Bose hasn’t radically changed the formula that works. The overall silhouette and folding design remain, ensuring the familiar QuietComfort fit and fold-flat convenience for travel. Minor design refinements include shiny metal yokes (hinges) connecting the earcups, which give a more premium, durable feel compared to the mostly plastic build before bloomberg.com. Bose also spruced up the aesthetics with new color choices: in addition to classic Black and White Smoke, the 2nd Gen comes in a light beige “Driftwood Sand” and a deep purple “Midnight Violet” theverge.com. These fresh finishes add personality while retaining Bose’s understated style (no flashy logos or eccentric design – it’s still very much a QuietComfort in looks).

Comfort has always been a QuietComfort strong suit – hence the name – and the Ultra 2 keeps the bar high. Soft memory-foam ear cushions and a padded headband make for all-day wearability. Bose’s build is lightweight yet solid, avoiding the heavy feel of some metal headphones (the AirPods Max, for instance, are noticeably heavier). The clamping force is gentle enough to prevent fatigue, and those new metal-reinforced yokes add sturdiness without adding bulk. In short, Bose stuck to its winning comfort formula, only making small tweaks to materials and trim that users will appreciate on long listening sessions.

Features and Technology Upgrades

The second-gen QuietComfort Ultra comes packed with quality-of-life improvements and new tech aimed at an even smoother user experience. Many of these upgrades aren’t flashy on their own, but together they make daily use more seamless. Improved on-head detection is one such tweak: the headphones now auto-pause and auto-resume music more reliably when you take them off or put them on. In fact, Bose says the Ultra 2 will automatically power on and reconnect to your device as soon as you put them over your ears, and conversely power down into a low-power standby when you lay them flat or stash them in the case gizmodo.com theverge.com. This means no more forgetting to turn off your headphones – a welcome change that could preserve battery for weeks (Bose claims the standby mode can keep them ready “for months” when not in use) theverge.com.

Another convenient addition is a new auto-disconnect feature: when the QuietComfort Ultra 2 are placed on a flat surface, they can automatically disconnect Bluetooth from your device gizmodo.com. This prevents your phone or laptop from continuing to route audio to a headset you’re not actually wearing – a small but thoughtful touch to simplify multi-device juggling. Of course, Bluetooth multipoint pairing is still supported, allowing the headphones to stay connected to (for example) your phone and laptop simultaneously theverge.com and intelligently switch as needed.

Perhaps the most significant new capability is the support for USB-C audio. Bose finally lets you use a USB-C cable to play audio digitally from a device, meaning you can get lossless, high-resolution sound via a wired USB connection theverge.com gizmodo.com. This is a big deal for audiophiles and a nod to modern phone users – with many smartphones (including new iPhones) dropping the 3.5mm jack and moving to USB-C, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 can plug straight in with the same cable you use for charging gizmodo.com. No dongles or special adapters required. The headphones still include a 2.5mm-to-3.5mm analog cable for legacy devices and in-flight systems, but USB-C audio means you can bypass the headphone’s internal DAC for pure digital audio and even enjoy fully lossless audio quality from services or files that support it. In wireless mode, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 use Bluetooth 5.4 and support the SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs for broad compatibility theverge.com. While Sony champions LDAC on its headphones and Apple uses its proprietary AAC, Bose sticking with aptX Adaptive ensures high-quality wireless (including aptX HD/Adaptive on Android) and low latency, though it stops short of aptX Lossless. Still, the addition of USB-C lossless playback covers that gap for hardcore listeners who demand bit-perfect sound.

Sound Quality and Spatial Audio (“Immersive Audio”)

Bose built its reputation on a balanced, clean sound signature, and the QuietComfort Ultra series adds a layer of software-driven spatial audio on top. The first-gen QC Ultra introduced “Bose Immersive Audio,” which uses head-tracking sensors to create a virtual soundstage outside your head. The 2nd Gen continues with this feature and refines it further. You still have the Still and Motion modes for Immersive Audio – “Still” fixes the sound in front of you (best when you’re not moving your head much, like watching a movie on a laptop), while “Motion” mode will track your head movements and keep the audio environment anchored, enhancing realism for music or VR experiences engadget9342.rssing.com.

New this year is “Cinema Mode,” an Immersive Audio preset specifically designed for movie and dialog-heavy content. Cinema Mode creates a “movie-like experience” by widening the soundstage and making speech clearer amidst background effects, according to Bose theverge.com. Essentially, it balances sound so that dialogue stays crisp while still giving you that expansive, surround-sound feel for explosions and music. Bose even suggests Cinema Mode can benefit podcasts and audiobooks, where you want voices front-and-center in a realistic space theverge.com. As Tom’s Guide explains, Cinema Mode aims to “make dialogue nice and crisp while enhancing the soundstage,” giving you more immersion when watching films with the headphones on tomsguide.com. We’ll need to hear it in action to judge, but it sounds promising for movie buffs.

Beyond spatial tricks, Bose has made some under-the-hood audio improvements. The company claims better bass performance at higher volumes – a welcome tweak, since some previous Bose models would compress or lose clarity in deep bass at max volume. Now you can crank up a bass-heavy track and expect less distortion or drop-off. Additionally, Bose reduced the faint background hiss that noise-canceling systems can produce in very quiet settings theverge.com. On the first-gen QC Ultra, if you were in a silent room, you might detect a soft white noise from the ANC circuitry, which could obscure extremely delicate audio details. Bose says the new model’s ANC is so quiet that it “won’t drown out finer details” in what you’re listening to theverge.com. That means classical music or quiet movie scenes should come through more cleanly. All told, the QuietComfort Ultra 2’s sound profile remains balanced and smooth, with Bose’s EQ tuning (adjustable in the Bose Music app) letting you personalize it. And if you prefer a pure, unprocessed sound, you can always disable the Immersive Audio features and listen in standard stereo – which also conserves battery life substantially.

Active Noise Cancellation Improvements

It wouldn’t be a Bose flagship without best-in-class noise cancellation, and Bose is doubling down on keeping the ANC crown. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) use an adaptive ANC system that constantly monitors your environment and adjusts the noise canceling level in real time. Bose has been a pioneer here – their ANC has “been the best in the industry for years” engadget9342.rssing.com – and the new model is even more refined. According to Bose (and early testers), the adaptive ANC transitions more smoothly when the noise around you changes gizmodo.com. For example, if you move from a quiet office to a noisy street, older ANC might ramp up cancellation in a way your ears notice (a sudden pressure effect or shift). The QC Ultra 2’s system is designed to gradually and seamlessly adjust without those jarring changes gizmodo.com.

Another improvement is in Aware Mode, Bose’s transparency (passthrough) mode. Aware Mode on the new headphones can automatically kick the ANC into high gear when something loud happens nearby theverge.com. Imagine you’re in aware mode walking outside and a bus roars past – the headphones will dynamically boost noise cancelation to soften the sudden roar, then return to normal transparency afterward theverge.com. It’s a smart way to handle unexpected spikes in noise while you’re trying to stay aware of your surroundings.

In pure Quiet Mode (full ANC), Bose’s proprietary algorithms and microphones attack a broad range of frequencies – from airplane engine droning to office chit-chat – to create a bubble of silence. Bose headphones have historically been superb at low-frequency drone cancellation and are now catching up to Sony in canceling higher-pitch noises and voices. With the QuietComfort Ultra 2, Bose is clearly aiming to edge out Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and XM6, which are its fiercest ANC competitors. “Bose returns to reclaim its crown from Sony with new flagship headphones,” as one headline boldly put it newsnow.co.uk. We’ll see in head-to-head tests, but given Bose’s track record and the described improvements, it’s likely the QC Ultra 2 will stand among the very best noise-cancelers on the market – if not the best.

One notable new option is the ability to turn ANC completely off via the app theverge.com. Previously, Bose allowed cycling between Quiet (ANC) and Aware (transparency) modes, but not a pure “off” (which some listeners prefer in safe environments to avoid any processing). Now, you can have ANC off and still listen to music normally – and as a side benefit, battery life jumps to up to 45 hours in this mode theverge.com theverge.com. This essentially gives you two usage profiles: one for maximum noise cancellation, and one for maximum longevity when ANC isn’t needed.

Battery Life and Charging

The QuietComfort Ultra 2 sees a nice boost in battery endurance. Bose advertises up to 30 hours of playback on a full charge with ANC on theverge.com, which is a 25% increase over the roughly 24 hours of the first-gen model gizmodo.com. This puts Bose on roughly equal footing with Sony’s WH-1000XM5 (rated ~30 hours) and ahead of Apple’s AirPods Max (~20 hours). Even with Bose Immersive Audio (Spatial) features and head-tracking engaged, you can expect around 23 hours of use theverge.com, enough for the longest of flights or work days.

If you’re really trying to stretch listening time, disabling ANC entirely (as mentioned above) can extend the battery to 45 hours theverge.com theverge.com – great for times when noise canceling isn’t needed, like in a quiet home. And don’t forget, the addition of wired listening via USB-C means if you do run low on battery, you can plug in and keep listening without interruption (USB audio draws minimal power). The headphones charge via USB-C as well, and Bose includes a fast-charge capability: typically you’d get a few hours of playtime from a quick 15-minute top-up (exact quick-charge specs aren’t mentioned yet, but Bose’s other models usually give ~3 hours in 15 minutes).

Overall, 30+ hours of wireless ANC playback is competitive if not class-leading – Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 advertises a massive 60-hour battery, but that figure is likely with ANC off or at moderate volume global.sennheiser-hearing.com. In real-world use, 30 hours should easily cover several days of normal listening. Importantly, Bose’s smarter power management (auto-off when idle, etc.) means you’re less likely to waste charge. For most users, you’ll be charging these maybe once a week with moderate use.

Price and Availability

Bose has priced the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) at $449 – keeping the premium price tag on par with its high-end rivals. Notably, this is about $100 more than Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5 (which launched at $399) and far above the $349 list price of Sennheiser’s Momentum 4. It even matches the often-criticized $499 launch price of Apple’s AirPods Max (which typically street for ~$449 now) in the same luxury tier. Bose is clearly confident that its brand reputation and the Ultra 2’s features justify an “AirPods Max-level pricing” gizmodo.com. As Gizmodo quipped, “If Bose’s ANC is as good as the last generation, [the new] QuietComfort Ultra Headphones may actually justify that AirPods Max-level pricing.”* gizmodo.com In other words, you’re paying top dollar, but you expect top performance in return.

The headphones were announced on September 5, 2025 and are available for preorder immediately from Bose’s website and major retailers theverge.com. Bose’s official release date is October 2, 2025 bloomberg.com, when units should start shipping. If history is any guide, initial demand could be high – Bose’s previous QuietComfort launches often sell out early, especially in limited-run colors like the new Midnight Violet. By launching ahead of the holiday season, Bose positions the QuietComfort Ultra 2 as a prime gift (or self-gift) for tech and audio enthusiasts in 2025.

For those who find $449 too steep, it’s worth noting that Bose’s first-gen QuietComfort Ultra (2023) might see price cuts now (one report notes the original is on sale for around $379 following this announcement hothardware.com). Additionally, Bose offers the non-Ultra QuietComfort 45/Headphones (2024) model at a lower price point with excellent – if slightly less advanced – ANC. But for the very best Bose has to offer, the Ultra 2 is the new gold standard.

Competing with Apple, Sony, and Sennheiser: How Does it Stack Up?

The high-end noise-canceling headphone market is a competitive battlefield, and Bose’s announcement explicitly takes aim at Apple and Sony bloomberg.com. Here’s how the QuietComfort Ultra 2 compares to its main rivals:

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 vs. Apple AirPods Max

Apple’s AirPods Max (released 2020) set a benchmark for premium build and seamless integration in the Apple ecosystem. They feature excellent noise cancellation, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking (especially for Apple TV+ and Apple Music Dolby Atmos content), and a distinctive aluminum design – but they’re heavy (385 g vs ~250 g for Bose) and more expensive (launch $549, often ~$479 on sale). The Bose QC Ultra 2 comes in slightly cheaper and lighter, and is arguably more travel-friendly (folds up, includes a compact carry case, and has a physical power switch – whereas AirPods Max don’t fold and rely on a charging case “bra”).

In terms of ANC performance, Bose and Apple have been trading blows. Many reviewers still gave Bose a slight edge in pure noise reduction, especially for constant low frequencies, while AirPods Max excel at minimizing higher-frequency sounds and wind noise. With Bose’s new adaptive system and improved algorithms, it’s likely to match or beat AirPods Max in ANC effectiveness – Bose specifically touts being “quieter than ever before” bose.com. Apple’s trump card is the spatial audio integration with its devices; however, Bose’s Immersive Audio works with any source (not just Apple’s content) and now with Cinema Mode it may even improve movie dialog more than Apple’s implementation (which doesn’t specifically emphasize speech clarity).

Feature-wise, Bose now supports audio over USB-C, which AirPods Max notably do not – Apple’s headset can only take analog audio via a Lightning-to-3.5mm cable (with quality loss and no true digital pass-through). For Apple users, Bose’s adoption of USB-C on iPhone means you could directly connect the QC Ultra 2 to an iPhone 15 (or later) for lossless audio, something AirPods Max can’t do even wired gizmodo.com. On the flip side, AirPods Max have unique Apple features like instant pairing, audio sharing, and Siri integration that Bose (which works via the Bose Music app) can’t replicate at the ecosystem level. AirPods Max also have sensors for head detection and a spatial audio gyro – but Bose now includes similar sensors for its own spatial audio and power management.

Sound quality is subjective, but Bose is known for a warm, balanced sound with a slight bass boost, whereas AirPods Max have a very neutral, refined sound that many describe as “studio-like.” Bose’s advantage is user-adjustable EQ and profiles; Apple doesn’t offer manual EQ on AirPods Max. Ultimately, if you’re deep in the Apple world and value design and spatial audio for Apple content, AirPods Max still hold appeal. But the QuietComfort Ultra 2 makes a strong case with comfort, portability, longer battery life (30h vs 20h), and arguably better noise canceling – all at a lower price. Bose is clearly gunning for Apple’s luxury segment by offering an equally premium experience that works across all platforms.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5 / XM6

Sony’s 1000X series has been Bose’s arch-rival for years, often leapfrogging each other with each generation. The WH-1000XM5 (2022) and the newer WH-1000XM6 (launched May 2025) are the ones to watch. Sony’s headphones historically offer superb audio quality with rich, customizable sound (thanks to Sony’s LDAC codec and EQ options), along with top-tier ANC. The XM5 introduced a redesign (non-foldable, lightweight) and dual processors for ANC, while the XM6 reportedly further improves ANC and brings back the folding design for portability prnewswire.com whathifi.com.

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra 2 is directly aimed to “step up its competitiveness” against Sony bloomberg.com. In noise cancellation, Bose and Sony’s latest are likely very close; Sony has an edge in some scenarios (their NC Auto optimizer can adjust based on pressure altitude, etc.), whereas Bose might excel in consistency and the lack of “ear pressure” feeling. Bose’s new trick of automatically boosting ANC for sudden noises (the bus example) is a unique feature we haven’t seen explicitly in Sony’s implementation theverge.com. Sony does offer an adaptive sound mode that adjusts ANC based on your activity or location, which Bose doesn’t have per se (Bose tends to have manual modes).

When it comes to sound features, Sony has 360 Reality Audio for spatial content (which, however, requires specific music tracks and apps). Bose’s Immersive Audio works with standard content and might be more generally useful for an immersive effect without special tracks. Both brands now offer multipoint Bluetooth and speak-to-chat or aware modes (Sony has Speak-to-Chat that auto-pauses music when you talk; Bose has adjustable aware mode and now Cinema Mode). Battery life: Sony XM5 claims 30 hours ANC on, matching Bose’s 30h, and XM6 is similar (~36h per some reports). Bose’s 45h with ANC off actually beats Sony’s 40h (ANC off) figure.

One area Sony traditionally wins is codec support: XM5/6 support LDAC (for high-res wireless on Android) and the XM6 even supports LC3 and Bluetooth LE Audio in early reports. Bose sticks with aptX Adaptive, which is great for most but not quite as high bitrate as LDAC. However, Bose counters with USB-C lossless audio which Sony doesn’t have (Sony still relies on analog cable for wired, though the XM6 might support USB-C audio – not confirmed, but likely not since Sony hasn’t done that yet).

Both headphones have excellent call quality, though Bose’s past models sometimes struggled in windy conditions – it’s not yet clear if the Ultra 2 improves mic noise reduction for calls, but presumably it’s at least as good as before. Sony’s mics on XM5 were decent but not spectacular.

Design & comfort: Sony’s XM5 has very soft fit and is lighter (250 g) but the non-folding design was a drawback for some; the XM6 reportedly folds again and uses premium materials, very similar in concept to Bose’s metal yokes. Bose’s clamping force is gentle and many find Bose slightly more comfortable for long wear (less heat buildup in the earcups), but this can be subjective. Both are travel-friendly (especially if XM6 folds now).

Finally, price: Sony’s WH-1000XM6 launched around $449 as well (roughly £400) whathifi.com, putting it neck-and-neck with Bose on price. The older XM5 is often on sale ~$349 now, undercutting Bose. Bose will need to justify its price with that combination of ANC, sound, and comfort. Given the “crown” language in some coverage, it’s clear Bose wants the QC Ultra 2 to be seen as the new noise-canceling champ newsnow.co.uk. It will likely come down to personal preference and use case: Bose might have a slight ANC edge and simplicity, while Sony offers more bells-and-whistles for audio tinkerers. It’s a great time for consumers when both are so strong.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 vs. Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Others

While Apple and Sony dominate headlines, other flagship ANC headphones merit comparison too. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (2022) is a formidable contender known for its excellent audio quality. Sennheiser tuned the Momentum 4 with audiophiles in mind – a 42mm driver yielding rich, detailed sound that many argue outclasses Bose and Sony for pure musical fidelity. It also boasts an incredible 60-hour battery life (with ANC off, around 30-40h with ANC on) global.sennheiser-hearing.com, which still surpasses Bose’s 30h claim. And at launch $349 (often less now), it’s significantly more affordable.

However, Momentum 4’s noise cancellation, while very good, isn’t on Bose/Sony’s level in eliminating all types of noise. Bose likely still leads on the ANC front, especially with the new improvements. Sennheiser supports aptX Adaptive and even aptX Lossless on some devices, plus a transparency mode, but it doesn’t have anything like Bose’s Immersive Audio spatial processing. Design-wise, Momentum 4 has a minimalist look and is comfortable, but some found its design a bit plain and its app less polished than Bose’s. If your priority is sound quality and battery, Sennheiser is a strong alternative; but if ultimate ANC and features are key, Bose now has the edge.

Other noteworthy mentions: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2/PX8 offer luxurious build and refined sound, though ANC is a step below Bose. Sony’s WH-1000XM4 (2020) is still around at lower cost, and even Bose’s own QuietComfort 45 (2021) or new simply named Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2024) are mid-tier options that deliver great ANC for the price. But none of those quite match the feature set of the QuietComfort Ultra 2.

In short, Bose has positioned the QuietComfort Ultra 2 at the top of the food chain: it’s for the buyer who wants no-compromise noise cancellation, very good sound that can be made immersive, and all the latest conveniences (lossless audio, multipoint, etc.), and is willing to pay a premium for it. Compared to its competitors, Bose’s new offering is either on par or ahead in most categories, with perhaps only some trade-offs in weight vs. AirPods Max or codec support vs. Sony, which for most users won’t outweigh the core benefits.

Recent Bose QuietComfort News and Updates

The launch of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) comes on the heels of other updates in Bose’s lineup. Earlier in summer 2025, Bose rolled out the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) – the in-ear cousins to these headphones. Those earbuds introduced improved call quality, wireless charging, and enhanced ANC without a price hike reddit.com soundguys.com. Bose clearly is in the midst of a product refresh cycle, bringing the “second-generation” moniker to both its flagship earbuds and now its over-ear headphones. This strategy suggests Bose is doubling down on the Ultra branding, signaling top-tier performance.

Additionally, Bose’s move coincides with Apple’s shift to USB-C on iPhones (due to EU regulations) and Sony’s release of the WH-1000XM6 – timing that is hardly coincidental. Bose appears keen to capitalize on these shifts: for example, marketing the QC Ultra 2’s wired USB-C audio as a perfect match for new iPhone users who can’t use Lightning or 3.5mm headphones easily anymore gizmodo.com. This feature has been highlighted in tech news as making the headphones “play nicer with iPhones” gizmodo.com. It’s a smart way for Bose to insert itself into the conversation for Apple devotees who may be looking beyond AirPods Max.

On the corporate front, Bose Corp. has been striving to regain its footing in the competitive headphone market after facing fierce competition and some product stumbles in recent years. The original QC Ultra (2023) was generally well-received, though it launched alongside a confusing naming shift (Bose dropped the numeral naming like “QC45” and went with Ultra). There were also reports of Bose working on software updates to fine-tune the Immersive Audio after launch, showing Bose’s commitment to iterative improvement. With the QC Ultra 2, Bose is demonstrating it listens to feedback – addressing pain points like the lack of full ANC-off mode, increasing battery life, and polishing the design.

In terms of availability, Bose often releases products globally around the same time. Expect the QuietComfort Ultra 2 to be available in North America, Europe, and Asia in early October. Some initial hands-on impressions from reviewers at IFA 2025 (the big tech show in Berlin) have started trickling out, with many praising Bose’s efforts to refine an already excellent headphone. Early commentary suggests the upgrades “add up to a notable upgrade” in feel and function gizmodo.com, even if no single feature is revolutionary. The true test will come with full reviews, but anticipation is high given Bose’s storied QuietComfort legacy.

Conclusion

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Generation) represent an evolutionary but meaningful step forward for one of the most acclaimed headphone lines in the industry. By maintaining what listeners loved – class-leading noise cancellation, comfort, and solid audio performance – and adding modern enhancements like lossless USB-C audio, longer battery life, and an improved immersive sound experience, Bose has positioned the QC Ultra 2 as one of the headphones to beat in 2025.

For consumers, these headphones tick a lot of boxes: whether you’re a traveler seeking tranquility on long flights, a movie lover wanting a personal cinema-like experience, or an audiophile chasing high-quality sound with convenience, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 make a compelling case. They are unapologetically premium in price, but you’re getting a rich set of features for the money.

Crucially, Bose isn’t launching in a vacuum – the competition from Apple, Sony, and others is fiercer than ever. Yet, with this release, Bose is sending a clear message that it intends to stay on top of the ANC headphone market. As one early report noted, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) “promise to live up to their quiet, comfort, and ultra namesakes with plenty of upgrades in almost every category” ground.news. That promise will ultimately be judged by users and critics in the coming weeks. But given Bose’s track record and the thoughtful improvements on display, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 look poised to keep Bose’s name in the conversation as the king of quiet.

Sources: Major tech news outlets and official Bose information were referenced in compiling this report. For further details, see Bloomberg’s coverage of Bose’s announcement bloomberg.com, The Verge’s deep dive into the new features theverge.com theverge.com, and Gizmodo’s hands-on perspective highlighting the practical upgrades gizmodo.com gizmodo.com. These provide additional insights into Bose’s latest release and how it aims to take on the current champions of the headphone world.