Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds vs. QuietComfort Earbuds II

Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds provide breakthrough spatialized audio for immersive listening that makes music really feel extra actual than ever earlier than. The improved microphone will fulfill customers who discovered the standard missing within the QuietComfort Earbuds II. Those that worth top-tier streaming high quality will respect the flexibility to play high-res and lossless audio.
Execs

Immersive audio launched over its predecessor

As much as 9 completely different ear tip and wing tip configurations

Now able to high-res, lossless audio

Hello-Fi streaming
Cons

Nonetheless no Bluetooth multipoint

Wi-fi charging would have been good
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II nonetheless holds its personal after its successor was launched in late 2023. For those who’re not too involved about streaming high-res music or using immersive audio, it is best to do your financial institution steadiness a favor and go together with the older era. With sensible ANC and refined audio, there’s nonetheless loads to like in regards to the QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Execs

4 completely different ANC modes

Versatile throughout completely different genres because of tuned drivers

They provide a cosy, comfy match

Nonetheless an ANC champion
Cons

Microphone high quality is fairly unhealthy

A bit older

When Bose revamped its common ANC vary in late 2023, it took many without warning. In any case, the broadly acclaimed QuietComfort Earbuds II solely hit the cabinets simply over a 12 months previous to this overhaul of its flagship product lineup. While its launch companion, the QuietComfort Ultra over-ears has hit all the best notes, how do the QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds evaluate to its common predecessor?

It is no secret that we thought extremely of the QuietComfort Earbuds II, with unbelievable ANC and Bose’s signature thrilling but refined audio. Is the $100 distinction price it for the brand new QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds? Properly, right this moment, we’re placing the 2 face to face.

Woman wearing airpod max with color pops in background

Associated

5 things to know about ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)

Together with the way it works, the different sorts, and why we predict ANC headphones are price it.

It is a harder determination than you might assume. Maybe due to the quick house of time the 2 earbuds fashions had been launched, there are fairly a number of similarities. For instance, the battery life, design, movement controls and ANC are all very related. Alternatively, the Ultras have some severe enhancements in streaming capabilities and have joined the spatial audio revolution by introducing ‘Immersive Audio.’ So there are a bunch of issues to consider once you’re selecting out your subsequent pair of Bose earbuds.

Head-to-head specs and worth

	Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds	Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Noise Cancellation	Sure	Sure
Microphones	4 in every bud	4 in every bud
IP score	IPX4	IPX4
Supported codecs	aptX Adaptive, SBC, AAC	SBC and AAC
Dimensions (earbuds)	1.72 x 3.05 x 2.24cm	1.72 x 3.05 x 2.24cm
Charging	USB-C	USB-C
Driver measurement	9.2mm	9.3mm
Weight	6g (buds), 60g (case)	6g (buds) 60g (case)
Colour	Black, White Smoke	Triple Black, Soapstone, Eclipse Grey, Midnight Blue
Spatial Audio	Sure	No
Earbuds battery life	As much as six hours (ANC on)	As much as six hours (ANC on)
Charging case battery life	As much as 24 hours (ANC on)	24 hours
Dimensions (charging case)	5.94 x 6.63 x 2.67cm	5.94 x 6.63 x 2.67cm

Because the QuietComfort Extremely buds are the most recent addition to the lineup, it is anticipated that they arrive with a barely larger price ticket and usually retail for $300.

Alternatively, the QuietComfort Earbuds II provide a extra budget-friendly choice. Often priced round $279, being the earlier era means they typically go on sale. The QCIIs embody every part the Ultras do: earbuds, charging case, USB-C cable, and Bose Match Package.

Design

Is smaller higher?

Bose QuietComfort Ultras in Pocket-lint’s Christina Darby’s hand

When Bose launched the QuietComfort Earbuds II, they proudly boasted that its design was 30% smaller than its predecessor, the first-gen QuietComfort buds. The second era’s design change was a substantial enchancment and the buds had been made rather more smooth. The design change between the QuietComfort Extremely and QCII buds is much less drastic; in reality, they’re virtually an identical.

Whereas the primary era of the QuietComfort buds had been fairly cumbersome, Bose appears happy with this smaller, sleeker design that debuted with the QCIIs and caught to its weapons with the Ultras.

Consolation is the secret and each the Ultras and the QCIIs match within the ear very effectively. Bose contains its Match Package with each earbuds, and you will get three completely different sizes of eartips and stability bands, so yow will discover essentially the most comfy match for you. Additional similarities embody the buds’ stem as that is the place the on-board contact controls are housed.

Tapping will pause/play music and provide fundamental name controls, while swiping will management the amount. Moreover, each fashions can help you personalize the contact controls utilizing Bose’s app, permitting you to assign completely different ANC modes to the contact controls based mostly in your preferences.

Bose QuietComfort Buds II

Though the 2 are pretty neck and neck in design, in the intervening time, Bose provides you a bit extra selection in colours with the QCIIs than with the Ultras. Colours like Eclipse Grey and Midnight Blue, which are not accessible for the Ultras, add some further model factors to the QCIIs.

It is price mentioning that the charging circumstances are an identical in measurement. Whereas they might appear a tad bulkier in comparison with circumstances like Apple’s AirPods, their ergonomic design suits comfortably in your pocket with out feeling cumbersome.

Connectivity, battery life and name high quality

The Ultras may’ve leveled-up, however did not

Bose QuietComfort Ultras

Each the Bose QuietComfort Ultras and the QuietComfort II earbuds make the most of Bluetooth 5.3 and boast a spread of 30 toes, so there’s not a lot distinction right here.

Associated

These Bose QuietComfort Ultra give me the best ANC, but there’s a catch

With unimaginable ANC, spatial audio smarts, and a cushty match, these buds virtually deserve the $299 price ticket, however miss on some key options.

When it comes to calling, there stay 4 microphones in every bud. Bose has claimed a major improve within the name high quality capabilities of the Ultras, primarily by specializing in figuring out the microphone with the bottom efficiency and minimizing noise interference throughout calls.

Nevertheless, from our assessments, the decision high quality is a bit of inconsistent. Though you will hear the recipient loud and clear, your personal voice could dip out and in relying on the severity of the background noise.

The QCIIs additionally boast 4 microphones purportedly designed to reduce exterior noise, and unsurprisingly, with such related {hardware}, name high quality outcomes are largely the identical.

The battery life additionally stays unchanged between the 2 with a playback of six hours from a full cost.

Bose QuietComfort Ultras in Pocket-lint’s Christina Darby’s hand

Nevertheless, the Extremely’s Immersive Audio mode drains the battery quicker, lowering playback time to round 4 hours when activated. Each the QCIIs and Ultras charging are able to three full expenses totaling to the listening playback for twenty-four hours when every part is absolutely charged. Additionally, each buds function handy fast-charging capabilities, offering two hours of playback from only a fast 20-minute cost.

The QuietComfort Earbuds II weren’t outfitted with Bluetooth multipoint or wi-fi charging, so it was fairly disappointing that Bose did not introduce these options on the Ultras.

Contemplating the Ultras retail for $300, many really feel aggrieved that the Ultras do not include multipoint or wi-fi charging both, particularly contemplating there are some buds available on the market that retail for half their worth with these options. There’s nonetheless the selection to go for an extra wi-fi charging case cowl, however this retails for round $50, an added further many will not be pleased with paying.

ANC definitely worth the luxurious costs

Noise-cancelling on the highest degree

Black and silver Bose QC Ultra Earbuds in ear

Bose QuietComfort Ultras in Pocket-lint’s Christina Darby’s ears

In the case of ANC, that is an space the place Bose continues to excel. In truth, the model labeled the ANC on the QCIIs as ‘world-class.’ With 4 distinct noise-canceling modes, the QCIIs excel at blocking out exterior noises, proving Bose’s declare to be spot on.

Bose QuietComfort Buds II

The Ultras have been engineered and based mostly on the QCIIs, so in addition they proceed Bose’s unbelievable legacy of best-in-class ANC. On each fashions you may cycle via the completely different ANC modes on the buds’ contact management stem, and you may add your personal ANC modes via the app, tweaking the extent of noise-cancellation as you so need.

Each the Ultras and QCII buds function Conscious mode, Bose’s transparency mode that permits exterior noise in when the microphone detects noise directed at you, corresponding to somebody making an attempt to converse with you, and Quiet mode, which gives most noise cancelation. There’s a function on each buds known as ActiveSense when in Conscious mode, which could be toggled via the Bose app. This expertise works by blocking out sudden loud noises, like passing development or when an ambulance zooms by throughout your commute to work.

Audio options

There is a stand-out streaming winner

{Hardware}-wise, there was no change between the Ultras and the QCIIs. They each function a 9.3mm driver in every bud, which is a beneficiant measurement contemplating the general development measurement. Between the 2, Bose’s signature sound is on full show, with a stable bass response, and a daring, full-bodied efficiency. These earbuds are removed from impartial, however that is not what Bose goes for. As a substitute, anticipate thrilling, tastefully coloured audio that has loads of punch.

Nevertheless, it is within the audio realm that the Ultras emerge because the front-runner, significantly if you happen to get pleasure from the most effective streaming high quality doable.

It is because Bose has rolled out Snapdragon’s Sound Expertise Suite, which helps Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive lossless streaming, which actually amps up the audio high quality. For those who’ve bought an Android machine or one other music participant that may deal with lossless streaming, you will positively discover some important audio upgrades. Each nuance is heightened and the tracks’ supposed dynamics and musicality are felt rather more powerfully.

Immersive audio enters the spatial realm

The place the Ultras actually win

Bose QuietComfort Ultras

If you wish to get on board the spatial audio revolution, the Ultras simply take high spot. Though Bose has named it ‘immersive audio’, it is making an attempt to attain the identical results as spatial audio with an encompassing all-round sound which feels just like the audio is coming from each route. We’re delighted to report that it excels on this side, doubtlessly even surpassing the efficiency of Sony and Apple’s choices. The expansive soundstage it gives for tracks is actually addictive.

0:51

Associated

Why I’m taking Bose’s new SoundLink Max everywhere this summer

The Soundlink Max will enliven any seaside celebration or pregame with booming sound.

The Immersive Audio works with each stereo tracks and spatial audio mixes and can be utilized in both Nonetheless or Movement mode, the place the music will comply with wherever your head strikes. When we tested the Ultras out, we were very impressed with the results. As quickly as you flip Immersive mode on, the audio takes on a very three-dimensional character and strikes upwards, virtually like it’s floating above your head. More often than not, the processing is spot on, and the Ultras do very effectively at precisely monitoring your head actions. Nevertheless, this expertise is comparatively new, and there are some tracks that do not fairly carry out effectively in Movement mode.

Verdict: Which Bose buds bode finest for you?

After completely evaluating the design, options, battery life, noise-cancelling, and audio high quality, it is evident that each the QCIIs and the Extremely Earbuds are evenly matched. Nevertheless, the Ultras achieve a slight benefit with their functionality to make the most of Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive lossless streaming and the incorporation of Immersive Audio.

The help for high-resolution audio is instantly spectacular, and Bose could have crafted the best three-dimensional audio playback accessible right this moment. Moreover, the ANC efficiency stays distinctive, making them unmatched of their means to dam out exterior noise amongst present choices available on the market. Nevertheless, Bose missed the prospect to include Bluetooth multipoint or wi-fi charging into the Ultras, which may very well be a letdown for some individuals.

Editor’s Selection

Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds

$249 $299 Save $50

If lossless streaming is not on the high of your listing, or if you do not have a tool that helps it, you would possibly discover the QuietComfort Earbuds II to be a superb different. Whereas they might lack Immersive Audio, which is taken into account cutting-edge expertise, if that function is not vital for you, you may get pleasure from some financial savings.

Furthermore, the QCIIs provide the identical spectacular battery life, smooth design, superior noise-canceling expertise, {hardware}, and handy onboard contact controls because the Ultras, making them a worthy choice regardless of being from the earlier era. Lastly, the QuietComfort Earbuds IIs are supplied in a number of extra coloration choices than the Ultras, so if you happen to respect having a number of extra aesthetic decisions, that is more likely to make you smile.