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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones & Earbuds Bet Big on Immersive Audio

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Earbuds feature Bose Immersive Audio technology designed to expand the soundstage and highlight spatial cues.

Bose Ultra Earbuds and Headphones 2023

Bose has refreshed its headphone and earbud lineup for 2023 with three new models. Two new flagship models are labeled Ultra and include the debut of Bose Immersive Audio, which promises a more spacious multi-dimensional soundstage.

One advantage of the proprietary Bose digital signal processing, is that it should work with any music and is not limited to Dolby Atmos tracks.

What’s New?

Bose has three new headphone models for 2023.

  • $349Bose QuietComfort Headphones
    • new green colorway
    • 2 hours more battery life, 24 total
    • replace the Bose QuietComfort 45 (2021 model)
    • available now
  • $299Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
    • adds Bose Immersive Audio
    • improved far-end call quality
    • new metallic finish
    • replace the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (2022 model)
    • available now
Bose Ultra Earbuds and Headphones 2023
Left: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (White)
Right-top: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Black)
Right-bottom: Bose QuietComfort Headphones (Green)

What is Bose Immersive Audio?

Bose takes regular stereo tracks and applies its proprietary psychoacoustic algorithms to recreate the music with spatial cues that extend outside of the physical headphones themselves.

In contrast, Dolby Atmos Music (songs) are encoded with spatial elements in the music file itself. These songs will playback with spatial cues on any earbud or headphone.

Only the new Bose Ultra earbuds and headphones support Bose Immersive Audio, which comes in two variations: “Still” or “Motion.” “Still” is designed when you’re not moving so the audio stays in place like when you’re sitting down and want to feel as if the sound is fixed in a specific position. “Motion” allows the audio to move with you, so it’s always out in front of you.

In either case, whether or not you’ll like the added sound effects may depend on personal preference. And of course, there is always the option to disable the feature entirely for regular stereo listening.

Bose Immersive Audio Ultra Headphones and Earbuds 2023
Bose Immersive Audio is only available in the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (left) and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (right).

Which one to buy?

Other than Bose Immersive Audio capability, the previous generation models are mostly identical. The “regular” new QuietComfort Headphone effectively replace the QuietComfort 45 (2021 model). Nether has Immersive Audio, but the newer model gets 2 hours of additional battery life and a new green colorway for $20 more.

The new QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are practically identical to QuietComfort Earbuds II, except the new “Ultra” model includes Bose Immersive Audio.

Finally, the most expensive QuietComfort Ultra Headphones do introduce a refreshed style. However, you’ll pay an $80 premium for the Bose Immersive Audio and an innovative new feature called CustomTune that personalizes sound based on your ear shape.

Headphone Comparison

Bose Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphone Lineup for 2023
NCH 700QC45QuietComfortQuietComfort Ultra
Model Year2020202120232023
MSRP$299$329$349$429
Headphone FitAround Ear CircumauralAround Ear CircumauralAround Ear CircumauralAround Ear Circumaural
HeadbandOn Head AdjustableOn Head AdjustableOn Head AdjustableOn Head Adjustable
CushionsRemovable CushionRemovable CushionRemovable CushionRemovable Cushion
Microphones4224
Noise Cancelling11 levels2 modes
(Quiet / Aware)
2 modes
(Quiet / Aware)
2 modes
(Quiet / Aware)
Noise Control TypeAdjustable Active Noise Cancelling,
Echo Reduction
Active Noise Cancelling,
Echo Reduction
Active Noise CancellingAdjustable Active Noise Cancelling,
Echo Reduction
Audio cable includedYesYesYesYes
CaseCarryCarryCarryCarry
Headphone (HxWxD)8.6″ x 7″  x 2.4”7.68″ x 6.18″ x 3.15″7.68″ x 6.18″ x 3.15″7.7″ x 5.5″ x 2.0″
Weight0.39 lbs0.53 lbs0.52 lbs0.56 lbs
Product MaterialLeather, Plastic, Silicone, Stainless SteelGlass-Filled Nylon, Leather (Plastic), Leather (Protein), PlasticMetal, Plastic, Leather (Protein)Plastic, Aluminum, Leather (Protein)
Product Case MaterialLeather (Hard)Leather (Hard), Plastic (Hard)Leather (Hard)Plastic (Hard)
Ear Cushion MaterialProtein LeatherProtein LeatherProtein LeatherProtein Leather
RechargeableYesYesYesYes
Battery Life20 hours22 hours24 hours24 hours
Battery Charge Time2.5 hours2.5 hours2.5 hours3 hours
Charging Accessory includedYesYesYesYes
Charging Interface(s)USB-C PortUSB-C PortUSB-C PortUSB-C Port
Wireless ConnectivityAAC Bluetooth, SBC Bluetooth, Wireless ConnectivityBluetooth, Wireless ConnectivityBluetooth, Wireless ConnectivityBluetooth, A2DP Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HFP Bluetooth, AVRCP Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy
Bluetooth Version5.05.15.15.3
Wireless Rangeup to 33 ft
(10 m)
up to 30 ft
(9 m)
up to 30 ft
(9 m)
up to 30 ft
(9 m)
Bose Immersive AudioYes
CustomTuneYes
Spotify TapYes
SimpleSyncYes
ColorsSilver, BlackWhite, BlackWhite, Black, GreenWhite, Black

Earbud Comparison

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (2022 model) vs. Ultra Earbuds (2023 model)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (2022 model) on left vs. QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2023 model) on right.
QuietComfort Earbuds IIQuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Model Year20222023
MSRP$279$299
Headphone FitIn EarIn Ear
MicrophonesBuilt-in MicrophoneBuilt-in Microphone
Noise CancellingYesYes
Noise Control TypeAdjustable Noise CancellingAdjustable Noise Cancelling
Water ResistantIPX4IPX4
CaseChargingCharging
Bud Single1.23″ H x 0.79″ W x 0.96″ D (0.017 lb)1.23″ H x 0.79″ W x 0.96″ D (0.017 lb)
Case2.61″ H x 2.34″ W x 1.05″ D (0.132 lb)2.61″ H x 2.34″ W x 1.05″ D (0.132 lb)
Product MaterialPlastic (PC-ABS)Plastic (PC-ABS), Silicone, Metal
Product Case MaterialPlastic (Hard)Plastic (Hard)
RechargeableYesYes
Battery Life6 hours6 hours
Battery Charge Time1 hour2 hours
Charging Accessory includedYesYes
Charging Interface(s)USB-C PortUSB-C Port
Wireless ConnectivityA2DP Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HFP BluetoothA2DP Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HFP Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version5.35.3
Wireless Rangeup to 30 ft (9 m)up to 30 ft (9 m)
Bose Immersive AudioYes
ColorsBlack, Gray, SoapstoneBlack, White

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. ORT

    October 9, 2023 at 6:45 pm

    Brian –

    I am really looking forward to this site’s review of the new Ultra model as I have long been a very enthusiastic owner of Bose headphones including the QC45 which I currently own.

    I have also given the QC45 (1), QC35 (2) and Soundwear (8) as gifts to family and friends. I cannot abide (The ORT abides… 😉 )IEMs. It is too weird to have something stuck in my ears but just gave my daughter a new pair of those AirPod ear-thingies.

    Thank you.

    ORT

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