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 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?

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.

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

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.

I’m a college student looking for a good pair of headphones for studying, commuting, and just chilling on campus. I’m deciding between the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Generation and the 1st Generation headphones. And, I’m not an audiophile, so I'm do not concern much about super technical stuff, but I would prefer a smooth sound that won’t give me headaches during long use.

What I want to focus about is comfort, noise cancellation, and battery life. I have heard the 2nd Gen has some upgrades, but are they worth it for me who just wants reliable headphones for everyday use?

Thank you in advance.

Background: My Experience with Gen 1 I'm a huge fan of the Bose QC Ultra headphones Gen 1. I've been using them almost daily for a year now, primarily for their excellent noise cancellation. The comfort is outstanding. I can wear them all day without any discomfort or ear pressure. When you put them on, there's a light hissing sound as the noise cancellation kicks in, effectively blocking out ambient noise.

When I saw Gen 2 was available, I immediately ordered them and received them today. I was excited to experience what I hoped would be an even better version of this already excellent product.

Gen 2: First Impressions The Gen 2 arrived in almost identical packaging. Same box design, same audio and USB-C cables, and same hard case. Visually, I think the new version looks slightly better, and I didn't notice any difference in weight. Setting them up in the Bose app felt familiar, with similar options and settings as Gen 1.

The Problem: Inconsistent Noise Cancelling Here's where things get interesting (and disappointing). When switching from Aware mode to Quiet mode, the Gen 2's noise cancellation is initially significantly better than Gen 1. There's less hissing, and the noise reduction is impressive.

However, something strange happens over the next 30-60 seconds: the noise cancellation effectiveness gradually decreases. After about a minute, I found the noise cancelling actually worse than Gen 1. I tested this repeatedly with consistent background noise (tapping on wood, conversations) and the pattern was always the same. Excellent initial performance that degrades to below-Gen 1 levels. Even the hissing sound fades during this transition.

Every time I switched back to Aware mode and then to Quiet mode again, this cycle repeated: strong initial noise cancellation followed by gradual degradation.

Unexpected Discovery: The "Clap Reset" I discovered something odd: clapping my hands a few times near my face while wearing the Gen 2s seems to "reset" the noise cancellation. The effectiveness immediately improves before gradually declining again. This suggests the adaptive noise cancellation algorithm might be malfunctioning.

Comfort Concerns Unlike the Gen 1s, which I can wear comfortably all day, the Gen 2s create more noticeable ear pressure. This could potentially improve with break-in time, but it was immediately apparent.

Conclusion Despite the Gen 2's potential for superior noise cancellation, the inconsistent performance and reduced comfort made me prefer my Gen 1s. It feels like a software calibration issue that could potentially be fixed with a firmware update.

I've decided to return the Gen 2s for now and stick with my reliable Gen 1s. I'm hoping Bose addresses these issues because the hardware seems promising.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues with the Gen 2s? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

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?

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

Here’s a great video comparing the two models. Should answer a lot of questions for anyone deciding between the two.

Wow these are amazing but I need to listen to more more music to give my verdict, but so far so good, update soon. Here’s my update: they sound really good immersive mode is good for some songs but really good for movies, music videos and YouTube content. The sound is very balanced. Noise cancellation is G tier awareness mode is good too but needs a little work. Maybe an update or so but it’s not bad and in awareness mode it still blocks of loud sudden noises. I was gonna get the WF1000XM6 but these bad boys have grown on me a solid 9.5/10 overall.

Should I buy the version one ear buds for $180 or wait and grab the new ones that just dropped ?

INTRO:

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (QCE2) are Bose's second-generation true wireless earbuds. They primarily target users seeking top-tier active noise cancellation, personalized via an automatic tuning system. Additional draws include a generally agreeable sound profile aimed at mass appeal, the reputation of the Bose brand for support, and their compact, straightforward design. However, carrying a premium price tag, they face high expectations. I write this review after having used these daily for a year and a half. I am not a professional, but I do enjoy sharing my experiences with audio devices.

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Packaging, accessories score: 7/10

The packaging is adequate, presenting a simple exterior and including the essentials. Inside the box, you'll find the QCE2 earbuds within their charging case, basic user instructions, three sizes of unique ear tips, three sizes of stability bands for fit security, and a short USB-C charging cable. The included tray holding the fit accessories is flimsy paperboard, easily misplaced. Disappointingly, no protective pouch is provided for these accessories. Since the proprietary eartips aren't easily replaceable with standard aftermarket options, losing them is inconvenient. Bose provides just enough to get you started and find a decent fit, but doesn't go beyond the basics. The included accessories function adequately.

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Build Quality, Fit and Finish: 6.5/10

This area presents a mix of pros and cons. The earbuds themselves look neat, feel solid despite their all-plastic construction, and have remained dependable after extensive daily use. I've never experienced driver flex upon insertion. The plastic feels durable, looks smart, avoids potential metal allergies, and the molding quality is excellent. The included fit accessories also feel well-made and attach perfectly.

The charging case, however, is merely serviceable. While compact for pocketability, its matte plastic finish quickly shows wear from skin oils and scratches easily from pocket items. The magnets holding the earbuds are decent but won't prevent them from flying out if the case is dropped. Thankfully, the charging contacts are robust, ensuring reliable docking unlike some competitors. On the downside, the case lid lacks a dampened hinge, feeling somewhat cheap to operate. There's only a vague two-tone LED for battery status, requiring reference to the manual for interpretation. Crucially, wireless charging is absent, a notable omission at this price.

A significant design frustration is that the earbuds cannot be activated if the case battery is depleted, even if the earbuds themselves are charged. Combined with the imprecise battery indicator, this has left me unable to use fully charged buds on several occasions. Overall, while functional, the build and finish feel underwhelming for the cost. Features like a softer-touch case, stronger magnets, better accessory management, a more durable finish, and wireless charging would be expected at this premium tier.

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Bass score: 7/10

The bass is present but not particularly remarkable. There's a noticeable emphasis in the sub-bass region, primarily below 100Hz, lending some weight but without significant rumble or punch. It avoids bleeding into the midrange or upper bass and isn't bloated. While not strictly balanced, it offers some fun without being overwhelming. Driver performance here doesn't leave a strong positive impression in any way - I wouldn't describe them as flabby, but I wouldn't say that there's anything particularly wonderful happening either. Personally, I feel it could use a touch more upper-bass to match the emphasized deep subbass.

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Mids score: 7.5/10

The midrange exhibits a dip around 1kHz and a bit too much energy in the 2-3kHz region. This avoids making vocals sound shrill or distant, and the tuning responds reasonably well to EQ adjustments if desired. Out of the box, though, the midrange presentation feels somewhat unremarkable and slightly off. Like the bass, it doesn't particularly stand out. They are un-encroached upon by the bass as mentioned before, which lends help to the score.

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Treble score: 7/10

Following the trend, the treble is competent but largely unremarkable. It avoids harshness, sounding neither dark and muffled nor overly bright or shouty. Extension is adequate but seems to roll off in the upper 'air' region – possibly a limitation of the Bluetooth codec used. Consequently, they lack a certain sparkle or crispness, even with EQ. The treble is inoffensive and functional, but far from noteworthy.

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Soundstage, Imaging, Layering score: 6/10

Technical performance here is mediocre. The soundstage feels quite constrained and lacks significant depth or width. Engaging the transparency mode can create a slight illusion of space, but it never approaches holographic. While instrument separation is acceptable, preventing sounds from becoming jumbled, the overall presentation doesn't impress.

One significant positive, likely thanks to the automatic CustomTune calibration, is the consistent sound regardless of minor fit variations or eartip choice. There's reliable channel balance, which is a welcome change from the often fiddly nature of finding a perfect seal with many IEMs or dealing with potential driver variations common in budget gear.

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Conclusion:

Overall, the Bose QCE2 are functionally competent but ultimately unremarkable, especially considering their price. While the noise cancellation is effective (though potentially surpassed by competitors like Sony), it cannot be fully disabled. The companion app's equalizer is rudimentary, Bose reneged on a promised APTx update, and the sound signature, while generally inoffensive, is somewhat uneven and fails to impress.

Tuning score: C+
Inoffensive overall. The signature is a bit unusual but lacks extreme peaks or dips, making it amenable to EQ for those seeking adjustments.

Technical performance score: C
Serviceable, but doesn't excel in any particular sonic aspect like detail retrieval or soundstage.

Recommended?: No, not at their typical retail price range (230-280 CAD). It's telling how much brands can charge for true wireless earbuds simply by adding ANC and leveraging a well-known name. Budget IEMs ($20-30 range) exist that arguably match or outperform the QCE2 in pure sound quality and technical capability.

The QCE2's primary strength lies in their convenience and reliability. They consistently deliver effective noise cancellation or clear ambient awareness, maintain a stable connection over distance, offer decent battery life, and are easy to carry and use. For this reason, they serve well for casual listening during commutes, work breaks, watching videos, or general on-the-go use where simplicity and ANC are prioritized over audio fidelity. They excel at providing quiet and awareness on demand. They aren't bad, but for the cost, "not bad" simply isn't good enough. They might be justifiable on a very deep discount, but that's rare for Bose. While grateful to have received them as a gift and finding them useful for their convenience, they are never my choice for a dedicated music listening session.

After the firmware update what exactly are the difference between qc ultra earbuds gen 1 and gen 2?

Has the gap pretty much closed with this latest firmware?

I received my QuietComfort Ultra earbuds today from Amazon. I have been using the II version for most of this year.

Here's what I noticed so far. I don't think I'll discover anything new because I am set for now.

- I use an Android phone as my mp3 player. I noticed that the phone shows the battery charge percent for each earbud. In the II it used to show just one number. This can be useful. My earbuds now show 100% and 90%. Not sure why one would be less than the other.

- New Immersion listening mode. Other than Quiet and Aware modes. This is Bose's spatial audio mode. A nice extra feature.

- ANC is very important for me. I turned on the garbage disposal and kept switching between the Ultra and II to compare the noise cancelling. Hmm.. why is II"s canceling better!? I remembered that I switched the II's eartips to the larger size. I did the same for the Ultra and the noise canceling improved. I couldn't notice if there was a difference between the two earbugs ANC performance.

- Even though switching to the larger eartpis gave better performance, I think my earhole started to feel pain after extended use of the earbuds. I don't think it felt the same with the medium size. I will start experimenting with the the sizes. It seems I might have to make a choice between. Better ANC but pain with the larger size and extended use vs less ANC but more comfortable with the medium size.

My advice is to try the different sizes even if the default medium feels fine.

I have several reasons for owning both versions. Oneof the reasons is that the battery life is not enough for long flights. My idea is take both on long flights (international flights across oceans) and when one set of earbuds run out of battery life, put them in the case to charge and switch to the others and repeat.
I am not impressed with the earbuds battery life. I aso read that the immersion mode drains the battery faster.

- I also have the issue with the II is that sometimes one of the earbugs is not working when I take out of the case. What I do is put them the case for a few seconds and repeat till they work. Sometimes I wait and I then hear a pop sound in the good earbud and the silent earbud starts working. Kinda like an auto reset that happened.
I probably can do a hardware reset but I don't want to lose the pairing information and start over. The earbuds are paired with 3 devices.

I hope this info was helpful.

Noise cancellation is amazing. Significantly better than APP2 in my opinion. Driving around and walking through a supermarket I was in near total silence which is just jaw-dropping the first time.

Sound quality is good enough, not amazing but definitely sounds better than the APP2.

Any kind of loud bump or change in air pressure causes the buds to react which can feel weird at first.

I upgraded to the latest firmware and have had a few incidences of the problems people describe where the sound quickly ping-pongs between the buds for a moment or has a brief moment of sounding like its underwater, however if I just pop the buds back into the case for a moment and take them out again these issues seem to go away. Have used them for several hours at a time without this occurring.

I noticed on here that some people recommend deleting the app in order to resolve these issues, that might not be entirely necessary, I just disabled background refresh for it.

Very happy with these so far!

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

So, just curious what’s your opinion about the new gen 2 earbuds from Bose ? Especially for training like - running and gym. Really interesting to know. (iPhone user who hates apple airpods) I know that they have the h1 h2 chip but I care only about quality than Bluetooth pair connection.