I currently own a pair of the first generation QC earbuds and am considering upgrading with the current deals (250$ on bose's site + 10% cashback so 225 pretax), if any of you have owned both, do you think the upgrade is worth it?

How do the 1.0 and 2.0 versions of Bose's QuietComfort earbuds compare? The 1.0s are on sale so it's 180$ for the 1.0s and 280$ for the 2.0s. Are the 2.0s worth the extra money in your opinion and why?

I've been reading conflicting reports. My QuietComfort1 earbuds have started to clip at high volume and I think it's time for an upgrade. Some people seem to think that the performance and quality of the QC2 is a downgrade from the original earbuds.

I'm a pretty heavy user (hour long bicycle ride daily and hour in the gym every other day, plus occasional use at other times). But I'm also considering the popular Sony XM4 earbuds which seem to be a good alternative although I'm open to other suggestions if the QC2 is a downgrade from the QC1

I need new earbuds and have previously used the 2020 QC earbuds. I really liked them and the microphone quality was actually OK, especially compared to the original bose buds from 2018ish.

Now I am trying to decide on whether to go for the QC buds II or the Ultras? Then I'd realised a new release is here, the QC buds Gen 2 (2024).

Apparently the Buds II and Ultras are problematic - has anybody got any experience to advise me further?

The bose qc ultra gen 1 earbuds is currently on offer in my country for about $200, while the qc ultra gen 2 is about $300.

I've went to the physical store to try both out. The ANC is almost the same, sound wise the gen 2 sounds slightly better. In terms of design, both the gen 1 and gen 2 looks exactly the same, with the exception of the ear tips in the gen 2 coming with a design that filters ear wax.

When wearing the gen 2, it feels slightly more comfortable than the gen 1. No idea why, because the design is exactly the same.

I'm more inclined to buy the gen 1, but was told by the salesperson that gen 1 would soon be discontinued and there would be no future driver updates etc.

Should I buy the Gen 1 or Gen 2 QC Ultra earbuds? Appreciate the input and other alternative perspectives.

Told myself I wouldn't get the Gen 2, but could not resist at least checking them out. Still quite unsure whether or not to keep and replace my Gen 1. My very quick initial impressions:

• Gen 2 feel slightly softer and with even lower clamping force already straight out of the box (even though I had no complaints on Gen 1). They really are super comfortable (still).

• Gen 2 has noticeably less hiss/white noise during ANC mode. There is some hiss during the first few seconds, but then for me it goes down to an (almost?) imperceptible level.

• ANC I just tested around the house so far and struggled to find any clear differences. They might be there, sure, but at least not immediately apparent.

• With Gen 2 you can now turn ANC on/off and set ANC strength from 1-10

• Sound quality I could not discern any noticeable differences (disregarding the cinematic mode)

• Microphones/call quality I did not test yet

• Gen 2 sand color is gorgeous, but I am quite partial to the darker sandstone tone of Gen 1

• They are really very similar headphones (well, obviously), this is nowhere near the XM5 -> XM6

So absent any call testing (where I am hoping they will have improved), imo the most noticeable upgrades are on ANC customization and the hiss reduction, otherwise not a WOW!-impact upgrade.

EDIT:

• Also, I have not been able to reproduce the thumping/popping sound with stronger movements on Gen 2, but I really wouldn't want to give any guarantees it is fixed. Just did some very brief tests indoors.

So I have an opportunity to buy new in box QC II earbuds from a friend (unwanted gift) for 150 British pounds. And a new QC ultra earbud is at full price right now 299 British pounds. And I'm trying to figure out which one to take.

Is the QC ultra earbud so much better than QC II that I can spend double the money on it ? Thanks in advance

Has anybody else purchased both of these headphones and done themselves a quick comparison? I’m trying out both as I will likely either sell my Gen 1 or return my Gen 2. Right now I’m having a hard time justifying keeping the Gen 2. I find the sound quality is similar between the two. Sometimes I think the Gen 1 has a fuller sound but Gen 2 has a slightly wider sound stage and separation. Either way it doesn’t seem like a huge difference. Gen 1 also seems more comfortable and don’t seem to get as warm while wearing as Gen 2, but that may just be the Gen 1 very much broken in over time. I also like the matte look over the glossy aluminum.

I have the originals and updated the firmware to the newest one which to my dismay "ruined" the ANC. Not sure how to describe it other than I now get bleed through even on Quiet mode. Bose offered to replace them with the QC II's as they're still under warranty but as I've learned newer isn't always better. Just wanted some opinions on whether I should go through with the swap