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The world of high-end headphones has always had Bose as a key player, especially for travelers seeking peace on long flights. The Bose QuietComfort line has been a go-to recommendation for its noise-canceling prowess. However, the competition has intensified with rivals like Apple and Sony entering the fray.
New Additions to the QuietComfort Line
In September, Bose reasserted its dominance in the market by adding three new models to its QuietComfort lineup: the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at $299, the QuietComfort Headphones at $349, and the high-end QuietComfort Ultra headphones at $429. These new Ultra headphones replace the older Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, which were priced at $379 and are now reduced to $279.
Simple Naming, Premium Pricing
The naming strategy Bose has adopted is straightforward, making it clear that the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a step above their QuietComfort counterparts. However, the $429 price tag is bound to raise eyebrows, as the cost of premium headphones inches closer to the half-a-thousand-dollar mark.
Exceptional Quality at a Steep Price
Are headphones worth nearly $430? While this might not be an easy question to answer for everyone, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra headphones make a compelling case. They offer outstanding comfort, sound quality, and class-leading noise cancellation, justifying their position as a premium product.
Onboard Experience and Limitations
The effectiveness of the headphones was tested during a cross-country flight, revealing both strengths and limitations. Although the 2.5mm headphone jack was a minor inconvenience, the comfort and noise-cancellation capabilities of the headphones were impressive. They effectively reduced the ambient noise of the flight, though they couldn't completely drown out louder disruptions.
Advanced Noise Cancellation
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature of the QuietComfort Ultra is so effective that it necessitated switching to "aware" mode during a podcast recording, as it became challenging to hear one's voice. This illustrates the headphones' capability to create an immersive sound experience.
Battery Life: The Only Downside
Despite their many strengths, the QuietComfort Ultra headphones fall short in one area: battery life. While they can last through a long flight or a full day, they don't quite match the longevity of competitors like Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and the Beats Studio 3.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer top-notch noise-cancellation and comfort but come with a high price tag and slightly shorter battery life compared to rivals.
