I tested Bose's new midrange headphones - now the pricey Ultras feel redundant

Bose's new midrange QuietComfort headphones have recently been released, featuring several upgrades borrowed from their premium Ultra models. While the Ultra models carry a higher price tag, the midrange headphones maintain a reasonable $359 cost, making them more accessible to a broader audience. The new QuietComfort Headphones 2 have been tested for five days, and the author shares their findings.

Upon first glance, the QuietComfort Headphones 2 retain the familiar $359 price point, 24 hours of battery life, and compatibility with Bose's audio customization app. However, they also boast several enhancements, including Bose's new ActiveSense adaptive noise cancellation, which automatically activates when sudden noises are detected. This feature proves quite useful in noisy environments like airports or crowded public spaces.

The updated microphone and noise-processing system also contribute to an improved Aware (transparency) mode, delivering clearer and more natural sound. Additionally, Bose's noise-canceling capabilities have been refined, resulting in a more intuitive system that accounts for natural barriers like hats, hair, and glasses.

Moreover, the QuietComfort Headphones 2 now incorporate Immersive Audio, Bose's proprietary spatial audio rendering technology. While the author is not particularly fond of Bose's spatial audio upmixing in general, they appreciate the feature's presence in a midrange model. The headphones also sport a redesigned pill-shaped earcup and headband, as well as a more convenient power slider located on the underside of the left earcup.

However, the absence of a 3.5mm jack is a notable drawback, as users can now only access audio input through USB-C.