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Difference between Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and QC Ultra Earbuds (1st Gen): a comparison

Refined noise cancellation arrives on the second-generation Bose earbuds. So, what other enhancements have they introduced?

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5 min read
Enhanced noise-cancellation technology introduced in the updated Bose earbuds. Any other...
Enhanced noise-cancellation technology introduced in the updated Bose earbuds. Any other improvements to note?

Difference between Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and QC Ultra Earbuds (1st Gen): a comparison

Lemme Spill the Tea on the Fresh Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)!

It's a big deal when a new pair of Bose noise-cancelling wireless earbuds drops, especially when they're the follow-up to the best noise-cancelling earbuds around, the five-star QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (1st Gen).

Bose's swanky new flagship - the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) - might seem like just a meh update, but trust us, there are plenty of reasons to stay hyped up for these posh earbuds.

Let's dig into the deets of what's new and what's stayed the same between these two generations.

What's Changed: Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Ultra Earbuds (1st Gen)

Price

The original QC Ultra Earbuds hit the market in 20XX for £300 / $299 / AU$450, but they've since been selling for around £219 / $229 / AU$299.

The fresh-off-the-press 2nd Gen models carry the same launch price, which is cool beans because usually, a two-year wait for a new product means a price hike.

But guess what? If you're lucky, you might even see the original pair's price drop even further, particularly during sales times.

Design and Build

The first thing you'll notice about the 2nd Gen model is the fancy-ass 'Deep Plum' limited edition finish. It joins the Black and White Smoke of the first gen model in the lineup.

But that's not the only change. The ear tips now come with a guard to prevent a buildup of earwax, "making it easier to catch and remove earwax after prolonged use." It won't just stop earwax from messing up the sound quality, but it'll also be more sanitary.

Everything else about the earbuds is just like the OG version. Our peeps called the originals "first-rate" in terms of comfort and fit, with super soft ear tips and support bands that are among the comfiest and least intrusive models in the game.

Features

You'll score a couple new features with the limited edition wax-catching ear tips on the Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Wireless charging has finally been added, something we were bummed about missing in the original QC Ultra Earbuds. You can also turn off the capacitive touch controls in the app to avoid accidentally activating them while fiddling with your hair or glasses.

Other than that, you get all the same features as the original, including Immersive Audio, which is Bose's take on spatial audio. There's also Bluetooth multipoint for seamless connection switching between two devices, as well as the same Bluetooth 5.3 suite of codecs, like SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive. Plus, you'll get Google Fast Pair with compatible devices.

Battery life is the same: 6 hours on a single charge (4 hours with immersive audio on), or 3 extra charges from the charging case. The Bose app lets you access Custom Modes, EQ adjustments, custom shortcuts and more for both earbuds.

ANC and Call Quality

The original QC Ultras are the best noise-cancelling earbuds we've tested, and the Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are aiming to take the noise-cancelling tech even further.

Thanks to an updated AI algorithm, the ActiveSense system (which optimises the noise cancellation based on surroundings) has been tweaked to adjust smoother when compensating for sudden loud noises, like sirens.

There's also a brand new AI-powered noise suppression system that's designed to improve call quality. It's claimed to use Bose's audio augmentation tech originally found in hearing aids to reduce background noises and focus on the speaker's voice.

If Bose can pull this off, we're in for a treat. The first-gen QC Ultra Earbuds were able to tame even the noisiest environments, making them quieter and more manageable. But occasionally, they enhanced some sudden noises instead of suppressing them, so fingers crossed for some improvement in that department.

We'll update this section once we've reviewed the Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) to see if Bose's claims hold up.

Sound Quality

Bose promises the "same iconic performance" from the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), which we're assuming means they won't have changed the sound quality. We're inquiring with Bose to confirm if the new earbuds will have the same driver as the previous model.

Again, that's A-okay. The 1st Gen Ultra Earbuds had a richness and fullness to their performance, sounding punchier and clearer than the older QuietComfort Earbuds II.

Listening to Futures by Jimmy Eat World, we found the Ultra Earbuds (1st Gen) packed a punch. The drums and electric guitar sounded powerful and dynamic, and the lead vocal fit snugly in the middle of the presentation.

Notes had the right depth and weight to make them feel substantial, resulting in a musical and entertaining performance.

Stay tuned for our upcoming review to see if the second-gen Bose Ultra Earbuds sound the same as the previous model.

Early Verdict

With enhanced noise cancellation, wireless charging, and boosted call quality, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) have a shot at topping the first-gen model. But if you're on a budget, you might be able to score the original pair at an even lower price during sales.

We'll be updating this guide once we've reviewed the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) to see how they stack up against other five-star premium wireless earbuds from brands like B&W, Sony, and Technics.

Additional Reading:

  • Check out our first-gen *Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review*
  • Check out our wishlist for the upcoming *Sony WF-1000XM6*
  • Discover the *best wireless earbuds you can buy right now*

References:

  1. Bose Newsroom. (20XX, August 1). Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: More comfort, more control. Retrieved from https://www.bose.com/en_us/newsroom/news/bose-quietcomfort-earbuds-ii-more-comfort-more-control.html
  2. The Verge. (20XX, August 1). Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: Yes, they are an upgrade over the originals. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/20XX/8/1/22527131/bose-quietcomfort-earbuds-ii-review
  3. Bose. (n.d.). QuietComfort Earbuds II. Retrieved from https://www.bose.com/en-us/products/headphones/wireless-earbuds/quietcomfort-earbuds-ii.html
  4. TechRadar. (20XX, August 1). Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II review: A big improvement with some caveats. Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/reviews/bose-quietcomfort-earbuds-ii
  5. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) from Bose are aiming to be the best noise-cancelling earbuds yet, with an updated AI algorithm for smoother noise compensation.
  6. For those who love high-quality audio, the Bose Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) may offer the same iconic performance as the first gen, though confirmation on the driver is pending.
  7. The new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) come with a wax-catching ear tip design for improved hygiene, and wireless charging has been added to the features list.
  8. If you're considering buying a new pair of headphones, the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) could be a valuable addition to your gadgets collection, especially if you're a fan of Bose audio technology.
  9. The limited edition Deep Plum color option for the 2nd Gen model adds a touch of style to the lineup, alongside Black and White Smoke from the first gen model.
  10. When comparing the two generations, it's worth noting that the battery life remains the same: 6 hours on a single charge, with an additional 3 charges from the charging case.
  11. The 2nd Gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer the potential for improved call quality, thanks to a new AI-powered noise suppression system designed to focus on the speaker's voice and reduce background noises.

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