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 admire the power to play high-res and lossless audio.
Execs

Immersive audio launched over its predecessor

As much as 9 totally 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. In the event you’re not too involved about streaming high-res music or using immersive audio, you must do your financial institution steadiness a favor and go together with the older technology. With sensible ANC and refined audio, there’s nonetheless loads to like concerning the QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Execs

4 totally different ANC modes

Versatile throughout totally different genres due to tuned drivers

They provide a comfortable, snug match

Nonetheless an ANC champion
Cons

Microphone high quality is fairly dangerous

A bit older

When Bose revamped its in style ANC vary in late 2023, it took many abruptly. In any case, the extensively 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 associate, the QuietComfort Ultra over-ears has hit all the correct notes, how do the QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds examine to its in style predecessor?

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

Woman wearing airpod max with color pops in background

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It is a more durable choice than you could assume. Maybe due to the brief house of time the 2 earbuds fashions have been launched, there are fairly a couple of similarities. For instance, the battery life, design, movement controls and ANC are all very comparable. Then again, 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)
Coloration	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 latest addition to the lineup, it is anticipated that they arrive with a barely increased price ticket and usually retail for $300.

Then again, the QuietComfort Earbuds II provide a extra budget-friendly possibility. Normally priced round $279, being the earlier technology means they typically go on sale. The QCIIs embrace every little thing 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 technology’s design change was a substantial enchancment and the buds have been made rather more smooth. The design change between the QuietComfort Extremely and QCII buds is much less drastic; the truth is, they’re virtually similar.

Whereas the primary technology of the QuietComfort buds have 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 consists of its Match Package with each earbuds, and you will get three totally different sizes of eartips and stability bands, so you will discover essentially the most snug match for you. Additional similarities embrace 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 quantity. Moreover, each fashions mean you can personalize the contact controls utilizing Bose’s app, permitting you to assign totally 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 offers 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 additional model factors to the QCIIs.

It is value mentioning that the charging instances are similar in measurement. Whereas they could appear a tad bulkier in comparison with instances 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 might’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 variety of 30 toes, so there’s not a lot distinction right here.

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By way of calling, there stay 4 microphones in every bud. Bose has claimed a big 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 exams, the decision high quality is a bit of inconsistent. Though you will hear the recipient loud and clear, your individual voice might dip out and in relying on the severity of the background noise.

The QCIIs additionally boast 4 microphones purportedly designed to attenuate exterior noise, and unsurprisingly, with such comparable {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, decreasing playback time to round 4 hours when activated. Each the QCIIs and Ultras charging are able to three full costs totaling to the listening playback for twenty-four hours when every little thing is absolutely charged. Additionally, each buds characteristic handy fast-charging capabilities, offering two hours of playback from only a fast 20-minute cost.

The QuietComfort Earbuds II weren’t geared up 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 a further wi-fi charging case cowl, however this retails for round $50, an added additional many will not be proud of 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

With regards to ANC, that is an space the place Bose continues to excel. In actual fact, 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 improbable legacy of best-in-class ANC. On each fashions you possibly can cycle by means of the totally different ANC modes on the buds’ contact management stem, and you may add your individual ANC modes by means of the app, tweaking the extent of noise-cancellation as you so want.

Each the Ultras and QCII buds characteristic Conscious mode, Bose’s transparency mode that enables exterior noise in when the microphone detects noise directed at you, equivalent to somebody attempting to converse with you, and Quiet mode, which supplies most noise cancelation. There’s a characteristic on each buds referred to as ActiveSense when in Conscious mode, which might be toggled by means of the Bose app. This expertise works by blocking out sudden loud noises, like passing building 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 characteristic a 9.3mm driver in every bud, which is a beneficiant measurement contemplating the general building 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 an alternative, count on thrilling, tastefully coloured audio that has loads of punch.

Nevertheless, it is within the audio realm that the Ultras emerge because the front-runner, notably in the event you take pleasure in the very best streaming high quality attainable.

It’s 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. In the event you’ve received an Android gadget or one other music participant that may deal with lossless streaming, you will positively discover some vital audio upgrades. Each nuance is heightened and the tracks’ meant 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 attempting to realize the identical results as spatial audio with an encompassing all-round sound which feels just like the audio is coming from each course. 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 supplies for tracks is really addictive.

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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 observe 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 completely 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 greatest for you?

After totally 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 assist for high-resolution audio is instantly spectacular, and Bose might have crafted the best three-dimensional audio playback accessible right now. Moreover, the ANC efficiency stays distinctive, making them unmatched of their potential to dam out exterior noise amongst present choices available on the market. Nevertheless, Bose missed the possibility to include Bluetooth multipoint or wi-fi charging into the Ultras, which might be a letdown for some folks.

Editor’s Alternative

Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds

$249 $299 Save $50

If lossless streaming is not on the high of your record, or if you do not have a tool that helps it, you would possibly discover the QuietComfort Earbuds II to be a wonderful various. Whereas they could lack Immersive Audio, which is taken into account cutting-edge expertise, if that characteristic is not essential for you, you possibly can take pleasure in 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 possibility regardless of being from the earlier technology. Lastly, the QuietComfort Earbuds IIs are supplied in a couple of extra shade choices than the Ultras, so in the event you admire having a couple of extra aesthetic selections, that is more likely to make you smile.