Bose has refreshed one of its best-known noise-cancelling headphones, giving the new QuietComfort Headphones (Gen 2) a cleaner design and several features borrowed from the pricier Ultra range.
The second-generation model will cost $359, with preorders opening on August 8 ahead of its release on August 13.
The biggest visual change is around the earcups, which now have a sleeker pill-shaped design attached to sliding hangers. Bose has also added softer synthetic leather cushions and adjusted the clamping force, with weight remaining relatively light at 230g.
The redesign is paired with an upgraded six-microphone ANC system that works alongside the new earcups. ActiveSense is designed to respond more smoothly to sudden loud sounds, and the microphones can also compensate for small gaps in the seal caused by wearing glasses.
Several features have made their way down from the QuietComfort Ultra range. Cinema mode widens the soundstage and brings dialogue forward, whereas Motion mode uses spatial audio processing to keep sound positioned naturally as the listener moves.
Connectivity has been improved too, particularly through the USB-C port. The headphones support wired 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio through a two-way USB-C connection, allowing users to keep listening as the battery charges. Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint connectivity and Google Fast Pair are also supported.
Battery life remains at around 24 hours per charge, matching the current QuietComfort model. A full recharge takes roughly three hours, with a 15-minute quick charge providing around two and a half hours of listening.
Bose will offer the headphones in Black and White Smoke, along with limited-edition Rosewood Mauve, Eucalyptus Green and Dewdrop Mint finishes.
At the same $359 price as the outgoing model, the Gen 2 appears to be more of a careful refresh than a complete reinvention. Still, the slimmer design and added Ultra features give Bose’s familiar QuietComfort headphones a useful upgrade.