Bose's latest flagship earbuds, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 ($299), represent a significant refinement focused on user experience rather than radical reinvention. Building on their predecessor's strengths, they deliver a compelling package for developers, engineers, and audiophiles seeking premium audio and cutting-edge noise processing, though not without some familiar Bose quirks.

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 (Credit: ZDNET)

Comfort Reigns Supreme, Design Divides

Prioritizing function, the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 feature a distinctive design with an integrated guard to manage earwax and ensure a secure fit. Despite their larger size compared to rivals like the AirPods Pro 3 or Sony WF-1000XM5, reviewers consistently praised their exceptional all-day comfort and stability, even during travel and exercise (IPX4 rated). The soft eartips and support bands contribute significantly to this, making them a top choice for prolonged wear. The trade-off is a notably bulky charging case, often described as awkward for pocket carry, though its durability is commendable.

Immersive Audio & AI-Driven Performance

Where the Ultra Earbuds 2 truly shine is in audio fidelity and intelligent processing:

  • Immersive Audio Excellence: Bose's proprietary spatial audio implementation (with Still and Motion modes featuring head tracking) receives high marks for sounding natural and spacious, rivaling Apple's solution. The sound signature is warm and full-bodied, with strong bass response, good instrument separation, and support for aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), AAC, and SBC codecs.
  • AI-Powered Noise Cancellation (ActiveSense): Leveraging eight microphones and sophisticated algorithms, the active noise cancellation (ANC) is among the best available. The standout feature is ActiveSense, an AI-driven mode that dynamically adjusts noise cancellation based on the environment. This provides superior handling of fluctuating noise levels in real-world settings like cafes or public transport.
  • Superior Transparency (Aware Mode): Transparency mode, dubbed Aware mode, is highly effective, offering natural sound reproduction of surroundings and seamless adjustment during conversations, outperforming similar features from Apple and Sony in smoothness.
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Fit and comfort are key strengths (Credit: ZDNET)

Technical Hiccups & Considerations

Despite the impressive audio and ANC, the experience isn't flawless:

  1. Connectivity Bugs: Users report issues with multipoint Bluetooth connectivity. Earbuds can persistently search for a second paired device, causing disruptive connection tones and delays in audio playback initiation. Occasional failures to connect or earbuds connecting separately also occur.
  2. Firmware Update Frustrations: Installing updates proved problematic for reviewers, sometimes requiring full resets. Notably, the SpeechClarity feature (enhancing voice pickup on calls) requires an update not readily installed out-of-the-box.
  3. Battery Life: Rated at 6 hours with ANC on (4 hours with Immersive Audio) and 24 hours via the case, battery life is respectable but falls short of some competitors for very long-haul scenarios.

ZDNET's Verdict & Developer Perspective

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 secure an Editors' Choice award for their unmatched comfort, stable fit, exceptional AI-enhanced ANC, natural transparency, and compelling immersive audio. They represent a significant achievement in consumer audio processing. For developers and tech professionals, they showcase effective application of machine learning for real-time environmental sound adaptation – a practical example of AI enhancing user experience.

However, the persistent connectivity bugs and firmware update challenges highlight the ongoing difficulties in delivering seamless software integration with complex hardware. These issues are critical for a premium product and prevent an unqualified recommendation. At $299, they are a strong contender, particularly for those prioritizing comfort, ANC performance, and Bose's spatial audio. Yet, potential buyers should weigh the audio excellence against the possibility of encountering software gremlins. Bose's ability to resolve these issues via updates will ultimately determine if these earbuds can fully dethrone the competition.

Source: Based on testing and reporting by Prakhar Khanna and Jada Jones for ZDNET.