Hardware

Published on December 1st, 2023 | by James Wright

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Review (2023)

If you’re searching for the one of the best noise cancelling headphones on the market with high-fidelity audio, then look no further as Bose once again deliver a truly astonishing product that ticks all the right boxes! Also supporting your new audio adventure is that the headphones offer a true wireless experience of up to 24 hours and more importantly, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are super comfortable, lightweight and a very compact design with dimensions of 18.4 cm H x 15.24 cm W x 7.62 cm D. It even comes with a sturdy storage case that is ideal for travelling. Additionally it boasts high-end aesthetics that channels the Bose design that makes it standout from its competitors.

This is premium audio right here…

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones also comes in three different colours that include black (reviewed), sandstone and white smoke, so there is definitely a colour to suit your style. In terms of costs, the headphones retails for $599.95AUD (December 2023) that is pricey but when it comes to quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are definitely at the top and if you look after them, they will become the only headphones you need for some years to come.

As mentioned, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are not only super comfortable to wear but very lightweight. The headphones use smooth pleatless ear cushions, luxuriously plush synthetic leather that with its minimal clamping force, again makes it extremely comfortable to wear for longer than long audio sessions with hardly any heat build up. Additionally controls are well placed and navigating between the various controls and features of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a breeze. And yes, you actually can forget that you are wearing them because the overall comfort levels are excellent.

Connection is via Bluetooth 5.3 with the headphones easily pairing with our smartphone with a wireless distance of up to 30 feet or 9.14 metres. This technology also allows you to connect two devices at once in order to seamlessly switch between them. The headphones also supports Snapdragon Sound that is developed by Qualcomm in order to provide enhanced audio and improve wireless connectivity. However if you want to fully maximise the headphones, including tweaking the audio settings, you can download the Bose app which gives you access to an adjustable EQ. The codes used by the headphones include the Low Complexity Subband Coding (SBC) and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC).

When it comes to noise cancellation, enabling this feature on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is like immersing you a sphere of pure quiet bliss as it successfully mutes a considerable amount of background sounds. Having recently flown from Melbourne to Sydney and then back again, the sound of the Airbus A320 is severely muted, including the passengers around me that really allowed me to become fully immersed in my music and audio books.

There is also an aware button that allows to become present with the world around you while still listening to the audio which makes it perfect for asking the cabin crew for a drink or if you want to talk to the person next to you without removing the headphones. Another impressive selling point of these headphones are its built-in microphones that use noise-rejecting algorithm filters to help isolate and focus on your voice so if you are in a busy environment like a shopping centre, gym or just outside in nature, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones provide a clearer conversation. Add in wind-block and your callers will be very happy that your new gadget makes their call experience a very peaceful one as well.

As mentioned, the battery life of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is quite generous at 24-hours that is quite decent for its size. This of course is dependent on whether you are using noise cancellation, volume level and distance from Bluetooth device. However a 15-minute charge will give you 2 hours of audio, whereas 3 hours will fully charges the headphones thanks to USB-C. You can also connect the QuietComfort Ultra directly to an audio source via one of the included 3.5mm or 2.55 cables.

Box contents

Gallery

As you can see from the above images, the build quality is exceptional and the headphones are a combination of Aluminum, Leather (Plastic), Leather (Protein) and Plastic – like other Bose products, the materials are high quality. Controlling the QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Headphones is done through its touch controls that allows you to adjust the volume, skip tracks, answer calls, including a customisable shortcut.

However it’s all about audio! What’s it like? The sound quality of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is exceptional that produces excellent audio levels, including noticeable bass thanks to its 35mm full range drivers. Whether this was music, gaming or streaming from Netflix or Disney+, this audio device definitely created a very immersive experience and best of all it was all wireless. I also tested it out on the PlayStation 5 via the cable and although this is a stereo connection, this next-gen console has the technology to create 3D audio that sounded fantastic on the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Another favourite feature of mine is Bose’s immersive audio that is basically a virtual surround sound element of the headphones that increases the depth and realism of the audio. A very clever feature but it will reduce the battery to 18-hours with ANC enabled opposed to 24.

Final Thoughts?

Once again Bose deliver a thoroughly enjoyable audio experience, especially with its noise cancellation technologies that successfully blocks out quite a bit of the “real-world”. As a result, the audio sounds fantastic that is not only super clear but can be quite loud with a decent amount of bass. Additionally callers will also appreciate the ability to focus on your voice, so they won’t hear the background noise while they are talking to you. Lastly, it is super comfortable with an impressive battery of up to 24 hours that provides excellent wireless capabilities.

For more information, please visit https://www.bose.com.au/en_au/products/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/bose-quietcomfort-headphones-ultra.html

About the Author

James Wright

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