Bose reveals second-gen QuietComfort Headphones and they steal some of the Ultra’s tricks.

Bose has unveiled the second-generation QuietComfort Headphones, incorporating many features previously spotted in leaks. The refreshed model showcases a refined appearance, enhanced noise cancellation, lossless USB-C audio, and Bose Immersive Audio modes once exclusive to the premium QuietComfort Ultra series. Preorders commence on August 8 through Bose and select retailers for $359, just $10 more than the original 2023 release price.

Shipping starts on August 13. The color options of black and white smoke are back, along with three exclusive finishes: Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint, and Rosewood Mauve. The standout addition is TrueSpatial Technology, which makes standard QuietComfort headphones compatible with Bose's Still, Motion, and Cinema listening modes.

Still Mode utilizes head tracking to maintain audio positioning as the listener moves their head, while Motion Mode preserves a broader soundstage but adapts to the listener's movement, making it ideal for walking or commuting. Cinema Mode, tailored for movies, shows, and podcasts, disperses background effects across a wider space while keeping dialogue centered and easily audible.

The USB-C port now facilitates lossless wired playback up to 24-bit/48kHz and two-way audio, which can also transmit your voice during Zoom or Microsoft Teams conversations. The headphones also incorporate Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint connectivity, and Google Fast Pair.

Bose's upgraded ANC system, dubbed QuietControl, features a six-microphone setup utilizing new adaptive controls to mitigate noise cancellation gaps around earcups caused by glasses, hair, or hats, where a less-than-perfect seal would typically diminish noise cancellation effectiveness. ActiveSense has also been refined for Aware Mode, enabling smoother noise cancellation adjustments when sudden loud sounds, such as a passing train, occur, instead of feeling abrupt transitions.

Users can still manually adjust ANC or create custom modes via the Bose app. The updated model sports a wider headband and increased synthetic leather padding, while the new oval earcups provide a smoother silhouette. Bose has retained physical controls on both sides, including a dedicated action button for switching listening modes and activating shortcuts.

Battery life remains at 24 hours, dropping to 18 hours when Immersive Audio is active. A 15-minute charge yields up to 2.5 hours of playback, and the headphones can continue charging while being worn.

The memory crisis has driven up prices across various devices, including phones, laptops, consoles, and cameras. Amazon has raised prices on several Echo, Kindle, Fire TV, and Eero products, with some jumps being substantial. The Echo Dot, which formerly cost $49.99, is now $79.99—a 60% increase on a device that was intended to be one of the most affordable entry points into Amazon's smart home ecosystem.

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