Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Source

• Video: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) Review - 6 Months Later
• Channel: 6 Months Later | Type: Long-term review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• The reviewer used them for six months; during that time an OTA update removed some features and sparked controversy.
• Noise cancellation is still the best of all the headphones the reviewer has tested.
• At 264.4g, they're similar to the Sony WH-1000XM6 and can be worn for hours on end.
• Transparency mode is above average but not the best; the reviewer finds immersive audio a gimmick, with overly exaggerated sound separation.
• The battery level can't be shown in the computer/phone battery widget; the reviewer isn't sure they're worth buying at full price.

✅ Pros

• Top-tier noise cancellation
• Light and comfortable

❌ Cons

• OTA update removed features
• Unnatural immersive audio
• Questionable competitiveness at full price

📝 Verdict

Even considering the update controversy, it's still a very good product overall, but if buying at full price, compare it with rivals.

Source

RTINGS.com

Key Takeaways

• Chassis hinges produce distracting creaks and plastic flex ticks that conduct mechanically directly into earcups while walking.
• Immersive Audio spatializer flattens fidelity: mids become metallic, treble hollows out, and bass loses tight impact.
• Capacitive volume strip on the rear edge is narrow and sluggish, requiring repeated swipes to register level adjustments.
• Bluetooth latency on Windows PCs exceeds 220ms, rendering lip-sync noticeably disjointed during YouTube videos and meetings.

✅ Pros

• Monumental sub-bass active noise cancellation annihilates engine rumble
• Plush, cloud-soft memory foam earcups cradle ears comfortably
• Polished aluminum yoke accents project refined premium aesthetic

❌ Cons

• Chassis creaking noises transmit through earcups during head movements
• Immersive Audio severely degrades tonal richness and timbre
• Fiddly, unresponsive volume touch strip on rear shell edge
• Excessive 220ms latency on Windows computers causes lip-sync issues

📝 Verdict

"Elite noise canceling betrayed by creaking hinges, an awkward volume slider, and muddy spatial processing."

Source

• Video: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 (Problems & Best Features after 2 Months Daily Use)
• Channel: Mike O'Brien | Type: In-depth review (not sponsored) | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• The reviewer used them for about two months; the video isn't sponsored.
• Adds new features and fixes the reviewer's main complaints about the first generation.
• There are only two buttons, so controls could be better; the headphone end has a smaller audio jack.
• Very comfortable; the reviewer has fallen asleep wearing them on planes many times.
• There's a small amount of white noise in quiet environments; most first-gen owners don't need to upgrade, while new buyers are advised to go straight for the second gen.

✅ Pros

• Extremely comfortable
• Excellent noise cancellation and sound quality
• Wired playback over USB-C

❌ Cons

• Limited button controls
• Slight white noise
• Non-standard 3.5mm jack on the headphone end

📝 Verdict

The reviewer picks them up every day and they're his main headphones; strongly recommends the second gen to new buyers.

Source

• Video: Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review: Really? That's it...?
• Channel: SoundGuys | Type: Measurement review | Based on: YouTube transcript

Key points

• The name is accurate but boring, which is also the theme of these headphones: not exciting, but that isn't a bad thing.
• They keep the deep ear cups, foldable design and thick ear pads; there's still no water or dust resistance rating, and a new metal-arm colorway has been added.
• Noise cancellation reduces outside loudness by about 87% on average, on par with other top ANC headphones.
• Battery life is about the same as the previous generation; supports USB-C audio and low-latency codecs.
• Both test units had some sound issues; Bose-style tuning doesn't stand out in preference research, and the EQ isn't granular enough.

✅ Pros

• Top-tier noise cancellation
• Comfortable and foldable
• New USB-C audio

❌ Cons

• No water resistance rating
• EQ isn't granular enough
• Immersive audio isn't appealing

📝 Verdict

Good noise cancellation, decent sound and real quality-of-life improvements, but not everyone's cup of tea.