Product Announcement
11 September 2025 – Bose is announcing the next generation of its critically acclaimed noise-cancelling headphones, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). Building on the legacy of the QuietComfort line, this new release offers world-class noise cancellation, high-quality audio, and legendary comfort, enhanced with a suite of meaningful upgrades designed to elevate the listening experience.
Key Upgrades and Features
The next-generation QC Ultra Headphones feature significant advancements in both audio quality and noise cancellation. Key improvements include:
- Lossless USB-C Audio: Crystal-clear, low-latency sound for an uncompromised listening experience.
- Advanced Noise Cancellation: A new algorithm provides more precise adaptive noise cancellation.
- Cinema Mode: Enhances video content with lifelike audio and clearer dialogue, spatializing sound for an immersive experience.
- Extended Battery Life: Up to 30 hours with Immersive Audio, 45 hours with ANC off.
- Smarter On-Head Detection: Automatic start-up to paired devices when worn, and low-power standby when removed.
- Premium Design: Polished metal yokes and refined colorways (Black, White Smoke, Driftwood Sand, Midnight Violet) contribute to a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Engineered for Exceptional Sound and Silence
The QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) continue to deliver world-class noise cancellation and acclaimed audio. Proprietary digital signal processing and other refinements result in a new level of performance. The ActiveSense experience in Aware Mode is improved, allowing for smoother adjustments to noise cancellation levels in response to sudden environmental sounds, preventing audio content from being drowned out.
Access to wired USB-C audio provides digital, lossless listening, revealing greater nuance in music. This also enhances the experience with USB-C sources and enables low-latency audio for gaming. For critical listening, audio signals can be received at 16-bit, 44.1kHz, or 48kHz from compatible source files, preserving the full detail of the original recording.
Cinema Mode offers an immersive audio experience by spatializing and balancing background sound and other audio effects, creating a movie-like soundstage. While optimized for video, it also enhances spoken word audio like podcasts and audiobooks.
Further audio enhancements include deeper bass at louder volumes, more natural highs, and sustained clarity as volume increases. In quiet settings, background noise from the noise cancellation system is reduced, allowing finer audio details to be heard. CustomTune technology personalizes audio playback based on the listener's ear shape for a balanced, immersive experience.
Designed for Effortless Listening and Everyday Use
Built for convenience, the headphones feature improved on-head detection for automatic pairing. When not in use, they enter a low-power standby mode that can last for months. The battery offers up to 30 hours of playtime with Immersive Audio on, and up to 45 hours with ANC turned off, suitable for long journeys and busy days. Charging is possible via the USB-C port during use.
The design emphasizes style, comfort, and everyday wear, with polished metal yokes, soft ear cushions, and an adjustable headband for a lightweight, secure fit. The classic foldable design ensures portability and convenience.
Connectivity, Control, and More
The Bose app provides control and customization, including automatic firmware updates. Users can access custom listening modes, EQ adjustments, Bluetooth connections, ANC control, and shortcut customization.
The QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) support Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint connectivity, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices. They also support Low Complexity Subband Coding (SBC) and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) codecs, ensuring compatibility with most Bluetooth streaming devices. Qualcomm's hi-definition audio codec aptX Adaptive is supported for automatic adaptation to lossless audio and low-latency processing with Snapdragon Sound-certified devices. Android users benefit from Google Fast Pair for expedited pairing, and Spotify Tap offers quick access to music on Spotify.
About Bose Corporation
Bose is renowned for its premium audio solutions for home, on-the-go, and in-car use. Founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar Bose, the company is dedicated to delivering exceptional sound experiences through innovation. Bose employees are committed to the belief that sound is a powerful force capable of transforming and enriching lives. For over 60 years, this philosophy has driven the creation of iconic products that have changed how people listen to music.
