Quick correction (as several people have pointed out) - these _do_ have a power button (it's actually the Bluetooth button!). Regardless... who's going to pick up a pair of QuietComfort Ultras?
I pre-ordered them and received them the Wednesday after release. They are by far best in class ANC. Sound is clear and responsive. We'll worth the $430.00 US. Highly recommend
Just a quick PSA: Be careful with volume and your hearing. My teen years were filled with very loud music, and I suspect it led to my tinnitus. I now have a 4K Hz hiss that follows me every single second of every day. Plug my ears, and it's still there. Enjoy your tunes, but care for your ears.
My hearing loss rewired my brain. It makes the sound I can no longer hear. I can pretty easily ignore the constant tone. But at times, it can disappoint me, too. I understand that really good hearing aids can make it go away. I’m mentally preparing for that inevitability.
@@mikerisner I can feel that. But do not submit yourself to this so-called inevitability. You can beat this. I am not saying you can grow a new pair of nerves in your ear and damage is done. But you will tell your brain that this ringing noise you hear is the last thing you want to hear, and teach your brain that this noise is no use for you as you have so many other important things to hear. Then you will see amazing things happen. Your brain will filter out this noise for you, as it filters the feeling of pain during the daytime. When you are hurt, you feel the pain most at night and hardly feel anything during your busy day. Why? , because you don’t give a damn about it during the day as you have so much important things to do. Same thing. It will take time, but eventually, you will get there-best of luck.
Guys I have had my momentum 3 head phones stolen from the gym and I would say it was the best sounding headphones I’ve ever heard. I purchased the momentum 4 this week and omg it’s embarrassing. I had to take it back . Anyway do the Bose sound as good as the sen 3 ?
Hi there! I recently got the famous Bose QC Ultra Headphones, and I can confirm that despite the drivers (speakers) being similar to the Bose NCH 700, this very recent model sounds even better than its predecessor. I also have the Sony WH-1000-XM4, and find that the QC Ultra's sound signature is much clearer than the Sony model. What's more, a little adjustment of the well-rounded bass, and the midrange drive the point home even further. *As a preventive measure, I'd advise you *not to exceed 65% volume, and to take a few listening breaks for the sake of your ears (e.g. 15 to 20 minutes for 1 hour's listening).* Indeed, these headphones have a lot in reserve, and I didn't notice any major sound distortion, which is very good quality. But be careful with your ears, because they're really powerful! And yes, the sound is very clear! Lightweight (257 grams), it folds neatly and has a wider, more comfortable headband. The depth of the speakers (especially for big ears - you don't sweat as much as with Sony headphones) and its active noise reduction are truly impressive! Somewhat superior to Apple's Air Pods Max, that is! For the moment (2023), in concrete terms, *it's the best noise-canceling headset!* At the same time, it's the most recent. We'll see how it fares next year (2024), with the future Sony WH-1000-XM6 and Apple Air Pods Max 2. The "attentive" (transparent) mode is a real success! A notch below the Air Pods Max, and a good notch above the WH-1000-XM4/5. You can clearly hear everything around you. The immersive mode is a bit of a gimmick, as it gives the impression that the soundstage is getting bigger, but I still find it well worthwhile, especially for films and video games! That's another world! I also note that this mode is a little more energy-hungry in terms of this product's autonomy (around 19h35 for me, as opposed to the 18 hours announced by Bose). In fact, as far as battery life is concerned, I think that Bose has underestimated its headphones, because without the immersive mode, and staying at 60~65% maximum volume, I've actually gone up to around 30 hours. The official press release claims 24 hours' autonomy. . What's more, a mode (even two) designed to cleverly save battery power has been integrated: _ Like Apple and Sony, the sound stops when the QC Ultra is removed... And restarts once the device is placed back on the head. _ Automatic sleep mode, when the headset is removed for a long time. It restarts automatically when put back on. Automatic pairing, no headaches, it works like a charm. Multipoint is amply correct, and the solid Bluetooth is certified in 5.3 (the latest available), which is much better in terms of wireless connection stability. A very good point in itself. The WH-1000-XM4 (which is in bleuetooth 4.2) that I've owned since 2021 can cut out from time to time for no reason at the moment... I don't know why. Maybe it's due to my smartphone being almost full of internal memory? I don't know. In any case, I no longer have this little inconvenience with the Bose QC Ultra. The application is nice and quite rich! It's straight to the point, and somewhat less sophisticated than Sony's, whose geekiness is its specialty. As for the buttons, they're all located on the right speaker, behind the ear. A touch-sensitive surface for volume, and incidentally a personalized touch-sensitive button (press for 2 seconds in the middle of the touch-sensitive surface and that's it), either to obtain a voice assistant, or to indicate battery level or something else, for example... Personally, I opted for the battery level. How convenient! And in terms of physical buttons, there are only 2. . The first, at the bottom of the right-hand speaker, is reserved for switching on the headset. . The second button is located a little higher up, towards the rear of the speaker. . The second button is located a little higher up, towards the back of the speaker. This button allows: _ 1 short click: play / pause; 1 long click: change mode (immersive, attentive, silent - additional modes can be added and/or removed, such as the outdoor mode with its more or less successful optional "windbreaker" function, for example); _ 2 quick clicks: next track; _ 3 quick clicks: previous track. Personally, I find these two physical buttons rather instinctive and less headache-inducing (100% subjective, of course). As for the tactile part, I find it better thought-out than the NCH 700 and the Sony WH-1000-XM4/5, in the sense that there's no tactile conflict when unwanted rubbing occurs, such as fabric rubbing when you're in bed, or when you're putting on a hood. The left speaker features a USB-C input for headphone charging only, and an input for... A 2.5 mm jack!... The 2.5 mm jack... I'll never understand why that is... Especially as the headphones must be switched on to be effective(!)... I really don't understand this choice... As far as phone calls are concerned, the people I'm talking to can hear me clearly, even when there's a lot of noise around me! It's not as sophisticated as the Air Pods Max, but it's still one of the most effective. My voice is clearly audible, and it's possible to adjust the volume of the voice when telephoning via the headset. I write this because none of the testers mentioned this detail generally. Unfortunately, it's impossible to obtain lossless sound via a wired USB-C cable (which is quite incomprehensible to me, especially given its high price at the moment). The French Batys headphones, for example (albeit more expensive than the QC Ultra), make this possible. Finally, the price is high (499€) for the moment, but will inevitably drop in the coming months (logically). And then the bargains will start rolling in over the coming year. It has to be! So, I've tried to be as complete as possible about my pleasant experience with these Bose Quiet Confort Ultra Headphones. Expensive, yes, it's undeniable, but very pleasant to hold, not at all uncomfortable on the head, light and very comfortable, this top-of-the-range headset (2023) does quite well, if not very well. A special mention for the active noise reduction, which so far puts it ahead of Apple and Sony. All in all, this headset is a success, far from flawless, let's be honest, but what it does, it does really well. Very satisfied overall. Oh yes, I almost forgot: *the ear pads are detachable and therefore replaceable, in case of any long-term wear and tear.* Hoping for interesting updates (USB-C wired sound, I dream of it! x) ) to come! Thanks for your work sir! Respect! 👍🏾🔥 Looking forward to hearing from you!
Great review man.... Impressed more than the video itself. I'm planning to buy a QC . But I see Sony xm6 will be releasing after 6 months.. I'm bit confused if I just need to wait... What's your pick on this.. thanks in advance
Mark, you've officially become my favorite headphone reviewer! You're really touching on all the most relevant/interesting questions (in my opinion). Thanks for this great breakdown. I've already preordered the Ultras, currently waiting for delivery. You just confirmed all my expectations - really looking forward to trying these out for myself. Btw, I recently returned the XM5 because of top-of-head discomfort (yes, I have very thin hair), then I returned the Momentum 4 because they refused to play nice with Ms Teams (loved everything else about them), and finally I returned the QC45 because although I love the fit and finish, the sound and features leave a bit to be desired in 2023. Looks like the Ultras shape up to be the perfect headphones for me!
Could you make a detailed comparison between the new PX7 S2E and the QC Ultra? Mic tests would be really helpful for a decision which one to buy. Thank you!
I agree about the slightly forward midrange. I think -1 to -3 on the midrange works for most tracks. There is still some glare'yness somewhere dunno if mids or lower treble. Overall it sounds pretty good. Bass is very weighty and fun. I prefer APM mids though.
I also thought i should point out on top of the power button/bluetooth button existing, when it comes to Motion and Still Immersive modes. Still is for staying still, meaning u will not be moving so the headphones wont adjust the sound direction. Where on Motion, it will move the sound with u to keep the sound in front of u. The whole point of immersive mode is to make it feel like a concert or sound in general, is in front of u.
3:30 FYI the Bluetooth button is also the Power button. See page 14 and 15 of the user manual. There is an auto-off / sleep function but you can also turning them off using this button, you press and hold until you hear a tone.
I absolutely love them, I thought both of them. I previously had the 700 which were a bit heavy, where the Ultra comfort are truly a game changer for me in terms of comfort, sound quality , looks, design and build quality! Highly recommended!
I had planned on buying the sony xm4 with their lower price until I tried the bose ultras with the immersive mode. Holy cow its a total game changer. Ive never experienced anything like that with a pair of headphones. The sound difference is amazing.
After a lot of thinking I bought these over the xm5’s due to the ear comfort after trying them on in the bestbuy store. Also tried the xm5’s on but didn’t like the comfort or the small possibility that the hinges could potentially break and cost 100-200 dollars to fix
Just sold my B&W Px7S2 since I have never really enjoyed them. Soundwise yes, but ANC wasn’t satisfying, the weight too much and not really foldable compared to Bose. The only thing I am missing with the Bose QC Ultra is USB Audio. Other than that it seems to be the right package for me.
Great review. However I’ve spent all morning deciding whether to buy the Sony XM4s or XM5s then noticed that these have just been launched. It’s a shame you haven’t made any comment on how these compare to the Sonys that seem to be globally recognised as the best sounding headphones. Your expert thoughts would be very much appreciated. Keep up the good work!
I got a pair of px7 s2e’s. Its not a comparison my friend. Proper hifi brands destroy the sound of bose or sony. They sound amazing. Nowhere near to the Bang and Olufsen H95 though
This exactly I’m looking to pick up one or the other. Priority for me is good sound and comfort and ability to adjust anc so it’s not overwhelmingly quiet
@@VitiateTheImmortal Completely agree!! Px7 S2E blows the Bose out of the water. Bose just can't compete in the low bass department (below 40Hz) and high treble (it stops at 16Khz). Also Px7 S2 allows you to play while charging, even switching to higher quality sound, with Bose you are still stuck with no sound while charging. Also the Px7 uses quality materials. It is not even fair competition, and makes Bose look really bad. Why would anyone in their right mind pay 200 EUR more for a cheaply built product that can't even get close to audiophile quality when you can get audiophile quality for 200 EUR cheaper? I am angry at Bose for dropping the ball. Oh and did I mention they don't support AptX HD? I am done waiting, B&W take my money! You are absolutely right that the B&O H95 is superior. Not by much but they have more confident bass, mainly because their are stronger in the 20Hz to 40Hz department. Also out of the box they don't have overblown bass. Still, I decided in favor of the Px7 S2 because they are more comfortable and call quality on the H95 is terrible. Even from home, people tell me they have trouble understanding me. Also they press against your temples quite a bit and are heavier. Aslo I was not a fan of the big metallic knobs, it is annoying when your head rests on a cushion, as they protrude to the side a bit too much. I use EQ on the Px7 S2 to tame the bass. The low bass won't be as rumbly as on the H95 either way. But very interesting that once you tame the bass, the volume seems pretty much on par, whereas without EQ the Px7 S2 sound noticeable louder.
My girlfriend got me these after I was saying I was on the fence about them since I already have AirPod pro earbuds. The over ear is definitely the way to go. Omg they are so comfortable and I already fell asleep with them on lol. They are so sleek and sexy. I got them in white and I love the quiet mode. I just wish the usb-c port was a wired method for my phone instead of using their aux cord. Also, the switching between audio when I have them connected to my pc and my phone at the same time, it sometimes takes a while to switch between them. Similar to phone calls and going back to music, it takes a bit long
So I have had a pair of the 700s for like two years and a bit and they finally died. The Bluetooth on them died IDK why but it did. Have used them every day for that time in the gym, work etc. I contacted Bose about the issue they have had me send back my 700s and they are replacing them with these. I am very interested to see how they will be.
I really like the Ultras, but ended up returning them because they applied too much pressure on the sides of my head (I have a normal sized head). I couldn't wear there for long periods of time. Also, I found the volume slider very annoying - the buttons on the prior model QCs are so much easier to deal with. Sound and noise cancellation wise though, they were top notch. The dedicated power button on the prior models is also preferrable.
I returned the QC ultras, the sound and comfort was decent however no google assistant, can't receive alerts when wearing these (text, emails), can't charge and listen to at same time, the app was glitchy battery power deviated 10% randomly, took multiple times to pair, app is limited in features.
I've had QC35s for 6 years now and instead replacing the ear pads I'm looking for an upgrade. I've been binging XM4 vs XM5 content and now this has thrown a spanner in the works. Going on 6 years of use for my previous pair I know I will use these enough, but they are ~£135 more than XM5! Given that these and the Sony's are both great I think I will go and try them on and go for the comfiest pair (I don't like the look of the Airpods)
Great review. Can you please compare Bose quite comfort ultra with Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2e? I am trying to choose between one of these and your review can help me a lot on my decision. Thanks
Px7 S2E blows the Bose out of the water. Bose just can't compete in the low bass department (below 40Hz) and high treble (it stops at 16Khz). Also Px7 S2 allows you to play while charging, even switching to higher quality sound, with Bose you are still stuck without sound while charging. Also the Px7 uses quality materials. It is not even fair competition, and makes Bose look really bad. Why would anyone in their right mind pay 200 EUR more for a cheaply built product that can't even get close to audiophile quality when you can get audiophile quality for 200 EUR cheaper? I am angry at Bose for dropping the ball. Oh and did I mention they don't support AptX HD? I am done waiting, B&W take my money!
I have both Ultra’s. The buds are fantastic and the over ear model is great. I have the AirPod Max and I never use them. They are uncomfortable and heavy. I use the buds for daily activity and primarily use the over ear models for air travel.
I returned my Ultras. You can't charge and listen to music at the same time. No Google Assistant, not able to receive notifications/alerts, the pairing is glitchy as is the app itself, the battery status would deviate 10% sometimes out of nowhere., no ldac. I've owned PX8's and B&O 95"s, too. While the Bose were comfortable, they still sucked.
That's too bad. I haven't had any issues like that with mine. I can easily be outside with them while my phone is inside and still not have connection issues. Maybe it was a 1 off.
I also use my QC Ultra Earbuds for daily and jogging use too and my QC for meetings/calls and air travel. Had to return my QC Ultras for the QC because the Ultras were not comfortable for long periods of time.
A great video. I would like to see you compare these with the Bose 700, which were the brand leaders before these came along. This is more relevant than the previous QuietComfort or B&M. Still, loved the video.
I have both and these r more comfortable cuz the padding doesn't sit on your ears(don't touch outside of ears) and they are the immersive mode is great. Both r winners but these beat out the Sonys in my opinion.
Another great review, I have purchased the B&W PX8 headphones based on one or two of your reviews and you were right, they are exceptional. But please do a comparison review of the Bose QC Ultra headphones Vs the B&W PX72e, that would be interesting. Thanks.
@@StructureMastery yeh, I would expect that the PX8 is an improvement in sound quality on the PX72e. The PX8 treads into audiophile headphone territory, but yeh', have to agree with you that the sound quality of the PX8 really needs to be heard to be believed. I actually find the simple EQ in the app adequate for setting the sound you want too, you don't wanna' mess with it too much as it's already excellent.
@@tommyg3644 they dont have the same objectif. The Bose cant even connect with Aptx or Ldac. So the soubd quality is not as good due to music compression. The Bose is convenient, Light, foldable, comfortable, has excellent noise cancelling The B & W has a less good noise cancelling, is heavier, but has much better sound quality. The Bose will be perfect for travelling, commuting, going to the gym. But sometimes, if you just want to focus on music, it will be a worst experience than on the b & w. Personnaly on my dayli commuting, at home, even in my school, i love the sound of the b & w Sorry for the bad english i am french
Wow the design of the ultra is a winner. I love my Sony xm4 and my Bose NC 700 But the design do QC Ultra is very sophisticated. I do have the QC 45 and and the QC ultra headphones too and I love them. Bose is coming out with good products.
Nice review!!! But there is POWER OFF button in the headphone you need to hold Bluetooth button for a while ... It will SWITCH OFF then Just would like to request to test one thing..... ARE YOU GETTING ANY SORT OF THUMPING NOISE WHILE WALKING OR RUNNING WITH THIS HEADPHONES???
I am struggling with Bose qc ultra, wh1000xm5, B&W px7s2e, and Airpodsmax since I am an Apple user. Which is the best regardless of sound quality. I just wanna have a headphone with good ANC and transparency mode.
Note on battery- you always have a charger with you for your phone anyways so I don’t ever worry about it because my phone normally dies first so if I need to bring a charger for my phone then I’ll be fine for headphones
is the Bose QC ultra a right purchase for an apple user instead of apple AirPods Max ? is the connection with ecosystem comparable ? is the noice cancelling much better than the AMP?
Is it really worth upgrading from the QC45? I was about to get those for like $250... I can't imagine the Ultras are worth another $200? Thanks @markellis
I own a Samsung Galaxy S20 phone. When I receive text messages, the headphones do not alert me. Is this alert feature possible on these headphones? Also, I'm unable to activate or use Google Assistant with these headphones. Is it even possible to use Google Assistant with these? Also, you can't charge these at the same time you're listening to music.
They look good , I still have my qc 35’s , I must confess I do prefer the buttons for up and down volume as opposed to the swipe function which for those of us with big clumsy mitts which don’t always work out so well 😊 , my 35’s also have a an extra button for google search , and also facility for running the phones via cable which is nice from its additional 3.5 mm headphone jack apart from the charge port. I’d certainly give the neweys a go though my ear pads are getting a little ragged on my 35’s.
Bose headphones are always comfortable for the ears, I don't understand why headphones like the Sony Mx line are so SHALLOW in the earcup, you feel your ears pressing against the cups all the time, I hate that, I returned mine a while ago even though the ANC was great. Bose are deep and super comfortable, I'm thinking in getting this ones.
Hello there, sorry but I need to ask. Is this new QC Ultra capable of connecting to a PC? I see an 'accessory' called 'Bose USB Link Bluetooth module' (on the store) which I hope is just an attempt to sell a better Bluetooth accessory and not a mandatory thing.
Great review, just bought a pair based on it! I had the Bowers & Wilkins PS7 S2, but they started falling apart after a year. Glad to be back with Bose!
Hi Mark, Thanks for this review. I am a novice with premium headphones and currently have a Bose QC45 and they are fine for my fairly basic music listening needs and are fine with my iPad. However, with my Windows 11 laptop there is noticeable lag with the voice vs the video. I have read about Bluetooth codex and Aptx and Low Latency etc. but it is doing my head in and all I really want to know is what pair of headphones do I need to buy to make my video playback from my OLED laptop an enjoyable experience?? I would very much value your opinion. Is this such a hard question to answer? In 2023 it seems that I need an engineering degree to keep up but your videos are a breath of fresh air amid the technobabble. Thanks for any help you might offer.
Its crazy bc I used to own the bose q45 in blue. The design wasnt horrible, but I thought man how great would a redesign be similar to like a sony xm4/xm5? They really did an amazing job with this redesign. Still keeping my xm4's but deff a good gift consideration for black friday sales :)
is the Bose QC ultra noice cancellation much better than the Quiet confort ? I REALLY CARE NOICE CANCELLATION, do you think the difference is so big that I have to buy the ultra over the normal quiet confort ? considering that I also like the other ultra extra features over the qc
So happy I crossed this video! I have the QC45 and was considering the QC Ultra, but only after watching your other video did I notice there's a Quiet Comfort, which isn't the same. Do you sense the QC Ultra is a better buy in value than the QuietComfort??
Another great, insightful, review. I'm still enjoying my QC35s, I like Bose customer service, parts availability, plus their ease of use/storage/portability etc. I think that QC45's or QC's would be my preference for next purchase.
I must be honest: I was captivated by the direct and precise review on these Bose headphones. You managed to grab my attention a second time on a company that I take for granted. I'm starting to rethink my view or negligence on Bose headphones. This review was incredible. Now, what choice to make?? The earbuds or the headphones? Very interesting!!! Thank you!!!
Thanks for the review... My missus is getting me the QC Ultras for Xmas :). Quick question if I may... I am just about to upgrade to a Samsung S23 Ultra phone to coincide with getting these. Will the sound of these excellent headphones suffer from the Samsung (seemingly) having a poor suite of codec options, as opposed to other similar premium phones? Or is that just rubbish, as I haven't seen a single reviewer mention it at all. Can't think of a better person to ask ;).
Wife gifted a Sony XM5 last night- i have asked her to return that and pickup these bad boys❤ As inwas watching this video, she was picking it up from the store- Bose had it on sale so the store price matched🎉
For a Christmas Eve gift, i decided upon the Sony XM5s. Love them so much, great addition to my 14 pair of over the ear arsenal. Then reviews like this and many others made me go out on the 26th and also get the Ultras. I like them just as much. I put my headphones into tiers and my current top tier consists of the two i just mentioned, Tecnics and Sennheiser M4s. The next tier is the older versions from Sony and Bose, the XM4s, QC45s, Edifier and Soundcore 45s Then, 3rd tier is Soundcore 35s, Sonoflow 1More, Beats and Skullcandy Crushers 2. Lastly, but not bad at all, these are my specialty sets. Good for the gym (water resistant rating) or for specific sound. It's a Jabra, JBL, Raycon and Heavys. All really fun to play around with. Great video and thanks for convincing me to make another purchase.
Anyone out there thinking of buying these I just bought a pair of the white and silver they are great I went with the intention of upgrading to the xm5 from the xm3 Sony range and to be honest the base on the Sony is ever so slightly better but it's very similar and the noise cancelling on the Bose is definitely superior the foamy parts of the year cups come straight off and you can replace them for about $20 when they get dirty or old the Titanium Strap was important to me because a lot of the brands Sony and bows included used to be plastic and they would snap over time so hopefully the titanium takes care of that so far very impressed with them
I just got a pair, and I have a pair of QC -45s and I have to say the ultras are everything you said they were and there just that much better than the 45s
Px7 S2E blows the Bose out of the water. Bose just can't compete in the low bass department (below 40Hz) and high treble (it stops at 16Khz). Also Px7 S2 allows you to play while charging, even switching to higher quality sound, with Bose you are still stuck without sound while charging. Also the Px7 uses quality materials. It is not even fair competition, and makes Bose look really bad. Why would anyone in their right mind pay 200 EUR more for a cheaply built product that can't even get close to audiophile quality when you can get audiophile quality for 200 EUR cheaper? I am angry at Bose for dropping the ball. Oh and did I mention they don't support AptX HD? I am done waiting, B&W take my money!
How is the bass coming from someone who has only ever owned the skullcandy crusher lineup? My headphones got stolen and I'm thinking of trying something new but I'm all about bass.
I dont understand the trend of following touch controls. The most hated thing about my XM4 are the touch controls. I tried the APM and the crown control is just sublime to use. Touch is fine for displays but for headphones, I like some tactility.
hey mark, im really debating buying these headphones, ill use them a lot around the place but especially playing games, will these work well when playing any sort of games?
Thanks Mate - a brilliant review. I have bought a pair - I did think they felt a bit cheap and very light tbh - however the sound is amazing. As you said super loud - esp listening to the Stones album yesterday. I must admit I dropped them in Neros yesterday - the ear pad thing came off but I put it back on and no damage done. I am also a B&W fan. Thanks again
The sound is very thin, there is barely any low bass (below 40Hz) compared to B&B H95 or even B&W Px7 S2 (which btw costs 200 EUR less and have overall much better sound quality)! Even the 16Khz and above frequencies are limited. B&O/B&W go up to 21Khz and 17Khz respectively. Also it is incomprehensible to me that Bose is literally the only brand that prevents you from listening while charging! I am done waiting for them to put out a product that makes sense!
I’ve heard time and time again how the immersive audio isn’t anything special. I like your perspective, especially on the idea of using it when watching movies and such. Thanks for the review
My bose earbuds speaker started making that crackling popping sound after only a couple months. I filed a warranty claim swapped them out and paid the upgrade charge for the headphones 🎧 they sound great but the plastic feels a bit cheap for the price
I've been happily using a pair of wired Bose QC 25s for some years with wireless adapter, but wanting to make jump to wireless. Seen your review of Bose Quiet Comfort , currently on offer most retailers @£259, in your opinion is it worth spending another £190 for ultra version ?
Thank you for your detailed reviews. I bought these haedphones and I was actually very disapppointed with the sound, although I have been a "Bose person" for the last years. As you say, the sound experience is something very subjective, so I do not want to judge them as bad... But for me they sound somehow flat and metallic, the hights are clanging although I reduced them, even the bass is not really bassy. Maybe I received some faulty ones? 🤔I also bought the B&W PX8 and compared the two headphones. The sound on the PX8 for me is really rich and soft and voluminous. Listening to music with the PX8 is pure joy. With the Bose I hear every detail, they are really precise, but somehow they give me no joy at all... I tried both headphones also with the audio cable, with the same outcome (although I really had a noticeable difference in sound quality between bluetooth and cable connectection in both headphones... Still the Bose are not satisfying for me...). When it comes to ANC, the Bose are clearly the winner, and regarding this I found the PX8 somehow disappointing... Still with the Bose I totally have the feeling to be in a kind of pressure cabin an as the ANC can not be switched of, using them is somehow exhausting... So that is my personal opinion to these haedphones. What I like on the Bose ist the fact, that when you buy them from Bose directly, you have a trial period and are allowed to return them, if you are not satisfied. I will use that opportunity... However, your reviews helped me a lot for the decision!
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Quick correction (as several people have pointed out) - these _do_ have a power button (it's actually the Bluetooth button!). Regardless... who's going to pick up a pair of QuietComfort Ultras?
Watching the review with these headphones🥴
@MarkEllisReviews Bought them today and I'm amazed
@@g4dsworld471 Same 😊
I am really impressed with them. Amazing kit!
I pre-ordered them and received them the Wednesday after release.
They are by far best in class ANC.
Sound is clear and responsive. We'll worth the $430.00 US.
Highly recommend
Just a quick PSA: Be careful with volume and your hearing. My teen years were filled with very loud music, and I suspect it led to my tinnitus. I now have a 4K Hz hiss that follows me every single second of every day. Plug my ears, and it's still there. Enjoy your tunes, but care for your ears.
Wise advice, Mike - thank you.
Same here,when i go to bed i hear it the most,but hey what you gonna do
My hearing loss rewired my brain. It makes the sound I can no longer hear. I can pretty easily ignore the constant tone. But at times, it can disappoint me, too. I understand that really good hearing aids can make it go away. I’m mentally preparing for that inevitability.
@@mikerisner I can feel that. But do not submit yourself to this so-called inevitability. You can beat this. I am not saying you can grow a new pair of nerves in your ear and damage is done. But you will tell your brain that this ringing noise you hear is the last thing you want to hear, and teach your brain that this noise is no use for you as you have so many other important things to hear. Then you will see amazing things happen. Your brain will filter out this noise for you, as it filters the feeling of pain during the daytime. When you are hurt, you feel the pain most at night and hardly feel anything during your busy day. Why? , because you don’t give a damn about it during the day as you have so much important things to do. Same thing. It will take time, but eventually, you will get there-best of luck.
Guys I have had my momentum 3 head phones stolen from the gym and I would say it was the best sounding headphones I’ve ever heard. I purchased the momentum 4 this week and omg it’s embarrassing. I had to take it back . Anyway do the Bose sound as good as the sen 3 ?
Hi there!
I recently got the famous Bose QC Ultra Headphones, and I can confirm that despite the drivers (speakers) being similar to the Bose NCH 700, this very recent model sounds even better than its predecessor. I also have the Sony WH-1000-XM4, and find that the QC Ultra's sound signature is much clearer than the Sony model.
What's more, a little adjustment of the well-rounded bass, and the midrange drive the point home even further.
*As a preventive measure, I'd advise you *not to exceed 65% volume, and to take a few listening breaks for the sake of your ears (e.g. 15 to 20 minutes for 1 hour's listening).* Indeed, these headphones have a lot in reserve,
and I didn't notice any major sound distortion, which is very good quality. But be careful with your ears, because they're really powerful!
And yes, the sound is very clear!
Lightweight (257 grams), it folds neatly and has a wider, more comfortable headband.
The depth of the speakers (especially for big ears - you don't sweat as much as with Sony headphones) and its active noise reduction are truly impressive! Somewhat superior to Apple's Air Pods Max, that is!
For the moment (2023), in concrete terms, *it's the best noise-canceling headset!* At the same time, it's the most recent. We'll see how it fares next year (2024), with the future Sony WH-1000-XM6 and Apple Air Pods Max 2.
The "attentive" (transparent) mode is a real success! A notch below the Air Pods Max, and a good notch above the WH-1000-XM4/5. You can clearly hear everything around you.
The immersive mode is a bit of a gimmick, as it gives the impression that the soundstage is getting bigger, but I still find it well worthwhile, especially for films and video games! That's another world!
I also note that this mode is a little more energy-hungry in terms of this product's autonomy (around 19h35 for me, as opposed to the 18 hours announced by Bose).
In fact, as far as battery life is concerned, I think that Bose has underestimated its headphones, because without the immersive mode, and staying at 60~65% maximum volume, I've actually gone up to around 30 hours. The official press release claims 24 hours' autonomy.
. What's more, a mode (even two) designed to cleverly save battery power has been integrated:
_ Like Apple and Sony, the sound stops when the QC Ultra is removed... And restarts once the device is placed back on the head.
_ Automatic sleep mode, when the headset is removed for a long time. It restarts automatically when put back on.
Automatic pairing, no headaches, it works like a charm.
Multipoint is amply correct, and the solid Bluetooth is certified in 5.3 (the latest available), which is much better in terms of wireless connection stability. A very good point in itself.
The WH-1000-XM4 (which is in bleuetooth 4.2) that I've owned since 2021 can cut out from time to time for no reason at the moment...
I don't know why.
Maybe it's due to my smartphone being almost full of internal memory?
I don't know.
In any case, I no longer have this little inconvenience with the Bose QC Ultra.
The application is nice and quite rich! It's straight to the point, and somewhat less sophisticated than Sony's, whose geekiness is its specialty.
As for the buttons, they're all located on the right speaker, behind the ear.
A touch-sensitive surface for volume, and incidentally a personalized touch-sensitive button (press for 2 seconds in the middle of the touch-sensitive surface and that's it), either to obtain a voice assistant, or to indicate battery level or something else, for example...
Personally, I opted for the battery level. How convenient!
And in terms of physical buttons, there are only 2.
. The first, at the bottom of the right-hand speaker, is reserved for switching on the headset.
. The second button is located a little higher up, towards the rear of the speaker.
. The second button is located a little higher up, towards the back of the speaker.
This button allows:
_ 1 short click: play / pause;
1 long click: change mode (immersive, attentive, silent - additional modes can be added and/or removed, such as the outdoor mode with its more or less successful optional "windbreaker" function, for example);
_ 2 quick clicks: next track;
_ 3 quick clicks: previous track.
Personally, I find these two physical buttons rather instinctive and less headache-inducing (100% subjective, of course).
As for the tactile part, I find it better thought-out than the NCH 700 and the Sony WH-1000-XM4/5, in the sense that there's no tactile conflict when unwanted rubbing occurs, such as fabric rubbing when you're in bed, or when you're putting on a hood.
The left speaker features a USB-C input for headphone charging only, and an input for...
A 2.5 mm jack!...
The 2.5 mm jack...
I'll never understand why that is... Especially as the headphones must be switched on to be effective(!)...
I really don't understand this choice...
As far as phone calls are concerned, the people I'm talking to can hear me clearly, even when there's a lot of noise around me! It's not as sophisticated as the Air Pods Max, but it's still one of the most effective.
My voice is clearly audible, and it's possible to adjust the volume of the voice when telephoning via the headset.
I write this because none of the testers mentioned this detail generally.
Unfortunately, it's impossible to obtain lossless sound via a wired USB-C cable (which is quite incomprehensible to me, especially given its high price at the moment).
The French Batys headphones, for example (albeit more expensive than the QC Ultra), make this possible.
Finally, the price is high (499€) for the moment, but will inevitably drop in the coming months (logically). And then the bargains will start rolling in over the coming year. It has to be!
So, I've tried to be as complete as possible about my pleasant experience with these Bose Quiet Confort Ultra Headphones.
Expensive, yes, it's undeniable, but very pleasant to hold, not at all uncomfortable on the head, light and very comfortable, this top-of-the-range headset (2023) does quite well, if not very well.
A special mention for the active noise reduction, which so far puts it ahead of Apple and Sony.
All in all, this headset is a success, far from flawless, let's be honest, but what it does, it does really well.
Very satisfied overall.
Oh yes, I almost forgot: *the ear pads are detachable and therefore replaceable, in case of any long-term wear and tear.*
Hoping for interesting updates (USB-C wired sound, I dream of it! x) ) to come!
Thanks for your work sir!
Respect! 👍🏾🔥
Looking forward to hearing from you!
What a review, thank you!
@@gregd6799
Thank you👍🏾!
Great review man.... Impressed more than the video itself. I'm planning to buy a QC . But I see Sony xm6 will be releasing after 6 months.. I'm bit confused if I just need to wait... What's your pick on this.. thanks in advance
This review has LLM written all over it. 🤣
Got them last month I swear I’m in love with these headphones
Mark, you've officially become my favorite headphone reviewer! You're really touching on all the most relevant/interesting questions (in my opinion). Thanks for this great breakdown. I've already preordered the Ultras, currently waiting for delivery. You just confirmed all my expectations - really looking forward to trying these out for myself.
Btw, I recently returned the XM5 because of top-of-head discomfort (yes, I have very thin hair), then I returned the Momentum 4 because they refused to play nice with Ms Teams (loved everything else about them), and finally I returned the QC45 because although I love the fit and finish, the sound and features leave a bit to be desired in 2023. Looks like the Ultras shape up to be the perfect headphones for me!
This means a lot - thank you!
Hey Carl, how have the Ultras been? Did it meet expectations?
@@dgainx8852I was just about to ask this 😂
I wish Apple would hurry up and update the Air Pods Max and then comparisons are complete. These Bose are very tempting though.
Ikr AirPod max 2's need to drop
Either gonna be November announcement for December purchase or early mid 2024.
@@FaceFailureFearnearly no headphones are water resistance... its a usual thing, just more visible through the removable ear cups
Apple will never be able to compete with Bose, senheiser and Sony for headphones
I ended up getting them 😊❤
Could you make a detailed comparison between the new PX7 S2E and the QC Ultra? Mic tests would be really helpful for a decision which one to buy. Thank you!
Yes please do! Black Friday will be here soon 😉
Great review mark, would love to see a comparison against the XM4/5
I agree about the slightly forward midrange. I think -1 to -3 on the midrange works for most tracks. There is still some glare'yness somewhere dunno if mids or lower treble. Overall it sounds pretty good. Bass is very weighty and fun. I prefer APM mids though.
I also thought i should point out on top of the power button/bluetooth button existing, when it comes to Motion and Still Immersive modes. Still is for staying still, meaning u will not be moving so the headphones wont adjust the sound direction. Where on Motion, it will move the sound with u to keep the sound in front of u. The whole point of immersive mode is to make it feel like a concert or sound in general, is in front of u.
Wow, this guy's voice is so relaxing. Gained a new subscriber.
3:30
FYI the Bluetooth button is also the Power button. See page 14 and 15 of the user manual. There is an auto-off / sleep function but you can also turning them off using this button, you press and hold until you hear a tone.
Thanks for pointing that out!
Thanks for this - no power button would have been kind of a deal-breaker.
I absolutely love them, I thought both of them. I previously had the 700 which were a bit heavy, where the Ultra comfort are truly a game changer for me in terms of comfort, sound quality , looks, design and build quality! Highly recommended!
I have the Bose 700 too, would you say it's a big step up in sound quality ? Does the Ultra have more Bass or sound more clear ?
I have a bridge I’ll sell you
ultra is the best cant beat any brand, love it light comfort and rich sound quality. Agree i recommend who ever wants a good head phone
I had planned on buying the sony xm4 with their lower price until I tried the bose ultras with the immersive mode. Holy cow its a total game changer. Ive never experienced anything like that with a pair of headphones. The sound difference is amazing.
After a lot of thinking I bought these over the xm5’s due to the ear comfort after trying them on in the bestbuy store. Also tried the xm5’s on but didn’t like the comfort or the small possibility that the hinges could potentially break and cost 100-200 dollars to fix
Are you me?? I just did the exact thing today! At Bestbuy. Lol.
Just sold my B&W Px7S2 since I have never really enjoyed them. Soundwise yes, but ANC wasn’t satisfying, the weight too much and not really foldable compared to Bose. The only thing I am missing with the Bose QC Ultra is USB Audio. Other than that it seems to be the right package for me.
Great review. However I’ve spent all morning deciding whether to buy the Sony XM4s or XM5s then noticed that these have just been launched. It’s a shame you haven’t made any comment on how these compare to the Sonys that seem to be globally recognised as the best sounding headphones. Your expert thoughts would be very much appreciated. Keep up the good work!
Ditto the request for a comparison between QC Ultra and Sx7 S2e. Thank you. Your reviews are excellent by the way👍
I got a pair of px7 s2e’s. Its not a comparison my friend. Proper hifi brands destroy the sound of bose or sony. They sound amazing. Nowhere near to the Bang and Olufsen H95 though
This exactly I’m looking to pick up one or the other. Priority for me is good sound and comfort and ability to adjust anc so it’s not overwhelmingly quiet
@@VitiateTheImmortal Completely agree!! Px7 S2E blows the Bose out of the water. Bose just can't compete in the low bass department (below 40Hz) and high treble (it stops at 16Khz). Also Px7 S2 allows you to play while charging, even switching to higher quality sound, with Bose you are still stuck with no sound while charging. Also the Px7 uses quality materials. It is not even fair competition, and makes Bose look really bad. Why would anyone in their right mind pay 200 EUR more for a cheaply built product that can't even get close to audiophile quality when you can get audiophile quality for 200 EUR cheaper? I am angry at Bose for dropping the ball. Oh and did I mention they don't support AptX HD? I am done waiting, B&W take my money!
You are absolutely right that the B&O H95 is superior. Not by much but they have more confident bass, mainly because their are stronger in the 20Hz to 40Hz department. Also out of the box they don't have overblown bass. Still, I decided in favor of the Px7 S2 because they are more comfortable and call quality on the H95 is terrible. Even from home, people tell me they have trouble understanding me. Also they press against your temples quite a bit and are heavier. Aslo I was not a fan of the big metallic knobs, it is annoying when your head rests on a cushion, as they protrude to the side a bit too much. I use EQ on the Px7 S2 to tame the bass. The low bass won't be as rumbly as on the H95 either way. But very interesting that once you tame the bass, the volume seems pretty much on par, whereas without EQ the Px7 S2 sound noticeable louder.
Is it worth upgrading from the Bose 700? Also, how does it compare to the PX7 S2E?
My girlfriend got me these after I was saying I was on the fence about them since I already have AirPod pro earbuds. The over ear is definitely the way to go. Omg they are so comfortable and I already fell asleep with them on lol. They are so sleek and sexy. I got them in white and I love the quiet mode. I just wish the usb-c port was a wired method for my phone instead of using their aux cord. Also, the switching between audio when I have them connected to my pc and my phone at the same time, it sometimes takes a while to switch between them. Similar to phone calls and going back to music, it takes a bit long
So I have had a pair of the 700s for like two years and a bit and they finally died. The Bluetooth on them died IDK why but it did. Have used them every day for that time in the gym, work etc. I contacted Bose about the issue they have had me send back my 700s and they are replacing them with these. I am very interested to see how they will be.
How do they compare? I’m looking to purchase one of the two.
@@Zogbeethey are lightyears ahead.
@@mitchellkirkpatrick5714 legend, thanks. Will try them at the store tomorrow 👍🏼
Great review, ive been waiting for your take on the QC Ultras. Would have liked to hear some Microphone tests for call quality.
I really like the Ultras, but ended up returning them because they applied too much pressure on the sides of my head (I have a normal sized head). I couldn't wear there for long periods of time. Also, I found the volume slider very annoying - the buttons on the prior model QCs are so much easier to deal with. Sound and noise cancellation wise though, they were top notch. The dedicated power button on the prior models is also preferrable.
What did you buy instead?
@@P__114The latest Quiet Comfort model. Noise cancellation not as good, but they don't hurt my head.
Great review as always, Mark! It would be really interesting to hear your thoughts on the QC Ultra vs Sony XM5
i tried both and like the sound of bose better, before the Ultras I liked the sony's sound quality more than bose qc45
@@jtoster4980what about hiss, I got the ultras today and I feel some white noise from the anc. I was wondering if XM5s would be better
Where did you get your headphone stand from??
I returned the QC ultras, the sound and comfort was decent however no google assistant, can't receive alerts when wearing these (text, emails), can't charge and listen to at same time, the app was glitchy battery power deviated 10% randomly, took multiple times to pair, app is limited in features.
I've had QC35s for 6 years now and instead replacing the ear pads I'm looking for an upgrade. I've been binging XM4 vs XM5 content and now this has thrown a spanner in the works. Going on 6 years of use for my previous pair I know I will use these enough, but they are ~£135 more than XM5! Given that these and the Sony's are both great I think I will go and try them on and go for the comfiest pair (I don't like the look of the Airpods)
The Sony's won't even last you 24 months if you're a heavy user. Speaking from experience.
@@DOOMile Interesting! Which parts of the headphones started to fail?
Great review. Can you please compare Bose quite comfort ultra with Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2e? I am trying to choose between one of these and your review can help me a lot on my decision. Thanks
I am very much torn between the Px7 S2e and the QC Ultras so yes please do a comparisom between them!
YES - please do a PX7 S2E vs QuietComofort Ultra review! Exactly what I've been hoping to see.
Px7 S2E blows the Bose out of the water. Bose just can't compete in the low bass department (below 40Hz) and high treble (it stops at 16Khz). Also Px7 S2 allows you to play while charging, even switching to higher quality sound, with Bose you are still stuck without sound while charging. Also the Px7 uses quality materials. It is not even fair competition, and makes Bose look really bad. Why would anyone in their right mind pay 200 EUR more for a cheaply built product that can't even get close to audiophile quality when you can get audiophile quality for 200 EUR cheaper? I am angry at Bose for dropping the ball. Oh and did I mention they don't support AptX HD? I am done waiting, B&W take my money!
@pureffm how about the Px8?
Nice vid! Now I can't wait for the unnumbered QC review. But I'm skeptical the changes justify the price of those.
Was waiting for this review. Keep up the good work Mark!
I will - thanks!
Sennheiser M4 3:52 doesn’t have any issues where the headphone would turn on when in the case. You have a faulty product get it repaired.
mine and my friends do that all the time too, it’s just poor qc on sennys end
What’s your opinion compared to the momentum 4 ?
I have both Ultra’s. The buds are fantastic and the over ear model is great. I have the AirPod Max and I never use them. They are uncomfortable and heavy. I use the buds for daily activity and primarily use the over ear models for air travel.
I returned my Ultras. You can't charge and listen to music at the same time. No Google Assistant, not able to receive notifications/alerts, the pairing is glitchy as is the app itself, the battery status would deviate 10% sometimes out of nowhere., no ldac. I've owned PX8's and B&O 95"s, too. While the Bose were comfortable, they still sucked.
@@shanew7361 Sorry to hear you had these problems.
That's too bad. I haven't had any issues like that with mine. I can easily be outside with them while my phone is inside and still not have connection issues.
Maybe it was a 1 off.
I also use my QC Ultra Earbuds for daily and jogging use too and my QC for meetings/calls and air travel. Had to return my QC Ultras for the QC because the Ultras were not comfortable for long periods of time.
Great review man! watched all your old headphone reviews and bought myself the momentum 4s. could u compare these to the sennheiser momentum 4s?
A great video. I would like to see you compare these with the Bose 700, which were the brand leaders before these came along. This is more relevant than the previous QuietComfort or B&M. Still, loved the video.
Will you be able to listen to Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Lossless tracks with these if you have an Apple Music subscription and a Mac?
Wanted to get the Sony xm5 but I think I ll go for this pair
I have both and these r more comfortable cuz the padding doesn't sit on your ears(don't touch outside of ears) and they are the immersive mode is great. Both r winners but these beat out the Sonys in my opinion.
@@WhiteBoyNick1 which feel more premium on the outside?
@@coolkidxpead4038Sony feels good, Bose looks and feel cheap.
Gave my Girlfriend my XM5 and they are great, but these Bose QC Ultra and Batter in my opinion
Another great review, I have purchased the B&W PX8 headphones based on one or two of your reviews and you were right, they are exceptional. But please do a comparison review of the Bose QC Ultra headphones Vs the B&W PX72e, that would be interesting. Thanks.
Just got them too ans wow, they are soooo good it is insane. A level above bose for sure, but yeah i dont know for the px7 s2e
@@StructureMastery yeh, I would expect that the PX8 is an improvement in sound quality on the PX72e. The PX8 treads into audiophile headphone territory, but yeh', have to agree with you that the sound quality of the PX8 really needs to be heard to be believed. I actually find the simple EQ in the app adequate for setting the sound you want too, you don't wanna' mess with it too much as it's already excellent.
I would love a comparison between the b&w px7 s2e and these Bose qc ultras as well. Trying to decide between those 2 as a birthday gift to myself.
@@tommyg3644 all I can say is if the PX7S2e sound nearly as good as the PX8 then they'll be very hard to beat.
@@tommyg3644 they dont have the same objectif. The Bose cant even connect with Aptx or Ldac. So the soubd quality is not as good due to music compression.
The Bose is convenient, Light, foldable, comfortable, has excellent noise cancelling
The B & W has a less good noise cancelling, is heavier, but has much better sound quality.
The Bose will be perfect for travelling, commuting, going to the gym. But sometimes, if you just want to focus on music, it will be a worst experience than on the b & w. Personnaly on my dayli commuting, at home, even in my school, i love the sound of the b & w
Sorry for the bad english i am french
QC Ultra vs B&W PX7 S2e review please!! In the market for new headphones and I'm currently debating these two
Wow the design of the ultra is a winner. I love my Sony xm4 and my Bose NC 700 But the design do QC Ultra is very sophisticated. I do have the QC 45 and and the QC ultra headphones too and I love them. Bose is coming out with good products.
Which are the most comfortable to wear for you?
Sir, Which one is more comfortable for your head between Bose QC and QC Ultra?
Nice review!!!
But there is POWER OFF button in the headphone you need to hold Bluetooth button for a while ... It will SWITCH OFF then
Just would like to request to test one thing..... ARE YOU GETTING ANY SORT OF THUMPING NOISE WHILE WALKING OR RUNNING WITH THIS HEADPHONES???
Nope!
Thx for the review. Still waiting for more thoughts on the new PX7 S2e though. Hence, in-depth comparison highly appreciated.
Hey, so what do you think I should get between the QC headphone and the QC ultra headphones? what is the difference besides price?
I am struggling with Bose qc ultra, wh1000xm5, B&W px7s2e, and Airpodsmax since I am an Apple user. Which is the best regardless of sound quality. I just wanna have a headphone with good ANC and transparency mode.
Note on battery- you always have a charger with you for your phone anyways so I don’t ever worry about it because my phone normally dies first so if I need to bring a charger for my phone then I’ll be fine for headphones
Nice review, I am now confused on which one is better. The BW PX8 or these. 😅
is the Bose QC ultra a right purchase for an apple user instead of apple AirPods Max ? is the connection with ecosystem comparable ? is the noice cancelling much better than the AMP?
If you would compare the sound quality with the Airpods Max, which one would you say is better? And which one would you recommend?
Where did you get that cool headphone desk stand?
Is it really worth upgrading from the QC45? I was about to get those for like $250... I can't imagine the Ultras are worth another $200?
Thanks @markellis
I have both. The Ultras win for me. I am selling my Q45.
I own a Samsung Galaxy S20 phone. When I receive text messages, the headphones do not alert me. Is this alert feature possible on these headphones? Also, I'm unable to activate or use Google Assistant with these headphones. Is it even possible to use Google Assistant with these?
Also, you can't charge these at the same time you're listening to music.
They look good , I still have my qc 35’s , I must confess I do prefer the buttons for up and down volume as opposed to the swipe function which for those of us with big clumsy mitts which don’t always work out so well 😊 , my 35’s also have a an extra button for google search , and also facility for running the phones via cable which is nice from its additional 3.5 mm headphone jack apart from the charge port.
I’d certainly give the neweys a go though my ear pads are getting a little ragged on my 35’s.
Bose headphones are always comfortable for the ears, I don't understand why headphones like the Sony Mx line are so SHALLOW in the earcup, you feel your ears pressing against the cups all the time, I hate that, I returned mine a while ago even though the ANC was great. Bose are deep and super comfortable, I'm thinking in getting this ones.
Hello there, sorry but I need to ask. Is this new QC Ultra capable of connecting to a PC? I see an 'accessory' called 'Bose USB Link Bluetooth module' (on the store) which I hope is just an attempt to sell a better Bluetooth accessory and not a mandatory thing.
Great review, just bought a pair based on it! I had the Bowers & Wilkins PS7 S2, but they started falling apart after a year. Glad to be back with Bose!
Hi Mark, Thanks for this review. I am a novice with premium headphones and currently have a Bose QC45 and they are fine for my fairly basic music listening needs and are fine with my iPad. However, with my Windows 11 laptop there is noticeable lag with the voice vs the video. I have read about Bluetooth codex and Aptx and Low Latency etc. but it is doing my head in and all I really want to know is what pair of headphones do I need to buy to make my video playback from my OLED laptop an enjoyable experience?? I would very much value your opinion. Is this such a hard question to answer? In 2023 it seems that I need an engineering degree to keep up but your videos are a breath of fresh air amid the technobabble. Thanks for any help you might offer.
Its crazy bc I used to own the bose q45 in blue. The design wasnt horrible, but I thought man how great would a redesign be similar to like a sony xm4/xm5? They really did an amazing job with this redesign. Still keeping my xm4's but deff a good gift consideration for black friday sales :)
Would you prefer bose ultra over bowers px7 s2e?
Thanks for the review! Any information on the mic quality, as could certainly use them for pick up a call from time to time? Thanks!
it doesn't have a mic, on calls it'll go to your phones microphone and the headphones stop playing sound
is the Bose QC ultra noice cancellation much better than the Quiet confort ? I REALLY CARE NOICE CANCELLATION, do you think the difference is so big that I have to buy the ultra over the normal quiet confort ? considering that I also like the other ultra extra features over the qc
So happy I crossed this video! I have the QC45 and was considering the QC Ultra, but only after watching your other video did I notice there's a Quiet Comfort, which isn't the same. Do you sense the QC Ultra is a better buy in value than the QuietComfort??
Quick question - stand for those headphone- where did you get it ?
Super nice to hear that they're "loud" because personally I felt that the Sony XM5 weren't loud enough... but not at all!!
If you are a runner forget about this bose ultra because they have this punchy feeling soon as u start to run its just killing all the vibe on music
Another great, insightful, review.
I'm still enjoying my QC35s, I like Bose customer service, parts availability, plus their ease of use/storage/portability etc.
I think that QC45's or QC's would be my preference for next purchase.
I must be honest: I was captivated by the direct and precise review on these Bose headphones. You managed to grab my attention a second time on a company that I take for granted. I'm starting to rethink my view or negligence on Bose headphones. This review was incredible. Now, what choice to make?? The earbuds or the headphones? Very interesting!!! Thank you!!!
Exactly 100%
If you haven’t got either pair yet, headphones are the way to go if you’re a music guy. I love my QC ultras. They’re sleek in white
Thanks for the review... My missus is getting me the QC Ultras for Xmas :). Quick question if I may... I am just about to upgrade to a Samsung S23 Ultra phone to coincide with getting these. Will the sound of these excellent headphones suffer from the Samsung (seemingly) having a poor suite of codec options, as opposed to other similar premium phones? Or is that just rubbish, as I haven't seen a single reviewer mention it at all. Can't think of a better person to ask ;).
i got bose qc foe 170 dollars was it worth it?
Wife gifted a Sony XM5 last night- i have asked her to return that and pickup these bad boys❤
As inwas watching this video, she was picking it up from the store- Bose had it on sale so the store price matched🎉
For a Christmas Eve gift, i decided upon the Sony XM5s. Love them so much, great addition to my 14 pair of over the ear arsenal. Then reviews like this and many others made me go out on the 26th and also get the Ultras. I like them just as much.
I put my headphones into tiers and my current top tier consists of the two i just mentioned, Tecnics and Sennheiser M4s.
The next tier is the older versions from Sony and Bose, the XM4s, QC45s, Edifier and Soundcore 45s
Then, 3rd tier is Soundcore 35s, Sonoflow 1More, Beats and Skullcandy Crushers 2.
Lastly, but not bad at all, these are my specialty sets. Good for the gym (water resistant rating) or for specific sound. It's a Jabra, JBL, Raycon and Heavys.
All really fun to play around with. Great video and thanks for convincing me to make another purchase.
Is the noise canceling really powerful even to deal with really noisy neighbors?
Anyone out there thinking of buying these I just bought a pair of the white and silver they are great I went with the intention of upgrading to the xm5 from the xm3 Sony range and to be honest the base on the Sony is ever so slightly better but it's very similar and the noise cancelling on the Bose is definitely superior the foamy parts of the year cups come straight off and you can replace them for about $20 when they get dirty or old the Titanium Strap was important to me because a lot of the brands Sony and bows included used to be plastic and they would snap over time so hopefully the titanium takes care of that so far very impressed with them
The new Bose QC regular is the way to go for me, they are perfect on the go headphones, for a feature rich headphones I have the Momentum 4.
Yes to more in depth comparison between Bose and D&W (preferably WITH objective sound clips comparing the ANC)
Also the momentum 4’s have released a firmware update that solves the turning on in the case.
That's good news!
How do they compare to the XM5s and AirPods Max’s?
In the UK BOSE QuietComfort Ultra 60th Anniversary special edition can be bought for £284.96 direct from BOSE - 03/10/24
i notice if i am listing to music and i take the headphone off, i can actually hear the music. it their a way to block that out.
Do the ANC levels affect the battery life? Lower the ANC the longer the battery?
Still enjoying studio quality clarity and bass on my two year old BOSE QC45
I just got a pair, and I have a pair of QC -45s and I have to say the ultras are everything you said they were and there just that much better than the 45s
Would love to see the px7 s2e comparison!
Px7 S2E blows the Bose out of the water. Bose just can't compete in the low bass department (below 40Hz) and high treble (it stops at 16Khz). Also Px7 S2 allows you to play while charging, even switching to higher quality sound, with Bose you are still stuck without sound while charging. Also the Px7 uses quality materials. It is not even fair competition, and makes Bose look really bad. Why would anyone in their right mind pay 200 EUR more for a cheaply built product that can't even get close to audiophile quality when you can get audiophile quality for 200 EUR cheaper? I am angry at Bose for dropping the ball. Oh and did I mention they don't support AptX HD? I am done waiting, B&W take my money!
What about the size of the earcups? Are they the same size as the QC45’s?
Please a comparison review of the B&W PX7 S2e vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones !!
Thanks :)
Which noises cancelation is stronger, the earbud versions or the headphone version.
How is the bass coming from someone who has only ever owned the skullcandy crusher lineup? My headphones got stolen and I'm thinking of trying something new but I'm all about bass.
Nowhere near what you’re used to, but very good. And far more refined (not a bad thing!).
I dont understand the trend of following touch controls. The most hated thing about my XM4 are the touch controls. I tried the APM and the crown control is just sublime to use. Touch is fine for displays but for headphones, I like some tactility.
if there’s no power button so what happens if you want put/rest the headphones on a stand/cradle?
Great review I have had mine forever a couple days and the more use them the more love these Bose qc ultra.
Thanks for the kind words!
hey mark, im really debating buying these headphones, ill use them a lot around the place but especially playing games, will these work well when playing any sort of games?
Thanks Mate - a brilliant review. I have bought a pair - I did think they felt a bit cheap and very light tbh - however the sound is amazing. As you said super loud - esp listening to the Stones album yesterday. I must admit I dropped them in Neros yesterday - the ear pad thing came off but I put it back on and no damage done. I am also a B&W fan. Thanks again
Thanks for the kind words!
The sound is very thin, there is barely any low bass (below 40Hz) compared to B&B H95 or even B&W Px7 S2 (which btw costs 200 EUR less and have overall much better sound quality)! Even the 16Khz and above frequencies are limited. B&O/B&W go up to 21Khz and 17Khz respectively. Also it is incomprehensible to me that Bose is literally the only brand that prevents you from listening while charging! I am done waiting for them to put out a product that makes sense!
I feel like the calling quality is worse than the bose QC45 - or is it just me?
I’ve heard time and time again how the immersive audio isn’t anything special. I like your perspective, especially on the idea of using it when watching movies and such. Thanks for the review
My bose earbuds speaker started making that crackling popping sound after only a couple months. I filed a warranty claim swapped them out and paid the upgrade charge for the headphones 🎧 they sound great but the plastic feels a bit cheap for the price
I've been happily using a pair of wired Bose QC 25s for some years with wireless adapter, but wanting to make jump to wireless. Seen your review of Bose Quiet Comfort , currently on offer most retailers @£259, in your opinion is it worth spending another £190 for ultra version ?
I would love to know, how does Spatial Audio work on iOS with these headphones? Is it based on the apps you use? 🧐
Thank you for your detailed reviews. I bought these haedphones and I was actually very disapppointed with the sound, although I have been a "Bose person" for the last years. As you say, the sound experience is something very subjective, so I do not want to judge them as bad... But for me they sound somehow flat and metallic, the hights are clanging although I reduced them, even the bass is not really bassy. Maybe I received some faulty ones? 🤔I also bought the B&W PX8 and compared the two headphones. The sound on the PX8 for me is really rich and soft and voluminous. Listening to music with the PX8 is pure joy. With the Bose I hear every detail, they are really precise, but somehow they give me no joy at all... I tried both headphones also with the audio cable, with the same outcome (although I really had a noticeable difference in sound quality between bluetooth and cable connectection in both headphones... Still the Bose are not satisfying for me...). When it comes to ANC, the Bose are clearly the winner, and regarding this I found the PX8 somehow disappointing... Still with the Bose I totally have the feeling to be in a kind of pressure cabin an as the ANC can not be switched of, using them is somehow exhausting... So that is my personal opinion to these haedphones. What I like on the Bose ist the fact, that when you buy them from Bose directly, you have a trial period and are allowed to return them, if you are not satisfied. I will use that opportunity... However, your reviews helped me a lot for the decision!