The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have been officially announced, bringing several significant upgrades to Bose’s flagship wireless earbuds. Some of the key improvements include adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC), Bluetooth 5.3, sound calibration technology for enhanced audio quality, and a design that is one-third smaller than the original QuietComfort Earbuds. Bose has also introduced new ear tips for a more comfortable and secure fit.
While the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 excel in ANC and sound quality, they still face challenges in areas like battery life, special features, and touch controls. Despite these shortcomings, their ANC and sound performance make them a top choice for noise-canceling earbuds.
Pricing and Color Options
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are priced at $299 MSRP, which is a $20 increase from the previous generation. At launch, the earbuds are available in the triple black color option, with a soapstone color variant set to be introduced later this year.
Despite the higher price point, Bose is not positioning the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 as a budget-friendly option, as they are priced above competitors such as the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249), Sony WF-1000XM4 ($279), and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 ($249). If the price is a concern, you can still consider the previous QuietComfort Earbuds, which are currently discounted to $199 on Amazon.
Design and Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 have undergone significant design changes compared to their predecessor. They are now 30% smaller, making them more practical and attractive. The earbuds feature a mix of glossy and matte finishes, providing durability and protection from sweat and water with an IPX4 rating.
The charging case has also received a redesign, becoming smaller and more slender compared to the original Earbuds’ case. It’s sturdy and resembles the case of the Google Pixel Buds Pro.
Bose has introduced an alternative sizing ear tip kit to help users find the right fit for their ear size. While the stabilizers molded into the inner part of the ears worked well, some users may find that the new ear tips struggle to maintain a tight grip around the ear canals. The Bose Eartip Fit Test in the companion app can help improve the fit and provide feedback.
There’s some disagreement on how to wear these earbuds. The ads show people wearing them with the stems vertical, like AirPods. But the companion app says to rotate them back so they point toward your mouth for a better fit. That might not work for everyone, though, and some people might find them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Media Controls and Digital Assistant Integration
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 offer a full suite of media controls, including playback control, call management, volume adjustment, listening mode activation, and digital assistant activation.
However, the tap response for these controls can be unreliable, working only about 50% of the time. Sliding gestures for volume adjustment perform much better and provide a seamless experience.
Customization options for control schemes are limited, with users only able to swap out the long press function for a different command. The other controls are assigned to specific input methods, including single-tap, double-tap, triple-tap, and slide gestures.
The wear detection feature functions adequately, pausing content when the earbuds are removed and resuming playback when they are placed back in the ears. While it may not be as quick as some other earbuds, it is more dependable than the single-tap gesture for pausing music.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are compatible with digital assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, and Bixby. Voice commands are registered accurately thanks to the intelligible microphone array, which captures every syllable and inquiry. While some initial misinterpretations may occur with Google Assistant, it tends to improve with repeated use.
It’s worth noting that future updates may potentially add voice activation for digital assistants, allowing users to activate Alexa or Google Assistant using their respective wake-word phrases (“Alexa” or “Hey Google”).
Sound Quality and EQ Options
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 offer impressive sound quality with several notable features:
- CustomTune Technology: Bose uses its proprietary CustomTune technology to automatically calibrate both the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and sound frequency profile to the unique properties of your ears. This results in a punchy and sharp soundstage.
- Balanced Sound: The earbuds provide a balanced sound profile that delivers clear audio across various frequencies. For example, the kick drums on songs like Prince’s “Kiss” are well-balanced and don’t overshadow other elements like vocals and hi-hats. The bass and guitar separation on tracks like Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” is also impressive.
- Frequency Range: The earbuds perform well across the frequency range. They handle lows (such as double bass), mids (like piano), and highs (including cymbals) effectively, as demonstrated on orchestral tracks like John Coltrane’s “Spiral – Mono.” However, the deep bass on tracks like Hans Zimmer’s “Time” can be slightly muffled.
- Equalizer: The Bose equalizer allows users to adjust bass and treble levels. While it may not be as expansive as some competitors, it provides enough flexibility to fine-tune the audio to your preferences. You can also manually adjust the three bands to enhance high-end presence.
However, it’s worth noting that the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 do not support 3D audio (spatial audio), which is a feature offered by some luxury models like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. Additionally, the earbuds support the SBC and AAC codecs but do not include hi-res wireless audio codecs like aptX and LDAC.
Noise Cancellation and Customization
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are equipped with best-in-class noise cancellation technology, offering an enhanced ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) experience.
CustomTune technology is used to map the contours of your ear canal and create a personalized algorithm that custom-tunes the noise-canceling filters. This results in more effective noise cancellation, particularly in mid range tones. Users have reported a noticeable decrease in vocal presence when surrounded by talkative individuals.
Bose has also improved ANC customization by allowing users to choose from two standard modes: Quiet (acoustic noise cancellation) and Aware (transparency mode). Additionally, users can select from 10 custom modes that can be saved to their profile. The Quiet mode excels at blocking out low and mid-range frequencies while maintaining clarity in audio details. The custom modes provide greater flexibility in adjusting ANC levels, allowing users to create profiles tailored to their specific environments.
Aware Mode, designed to let external sounds in without compromising audio quality, may not be a favorite for some users. While it effectively allows users to hear their surroundings indoors and outdoors, some may prefer transparency modes that provide more control over the amount of noise allowed in.
ActiveSense is a feature that automatically adjusts ambient listening, ensuring that music and ambient noise are balanced. This feature enhances the clarity of conversations and can be toggled on or off.
Users can also set the ANC level below Level 3 in the custom modes, which widens the microphone’s sensitivity and makes external noise more transparent.
App and Connectivity
The Bose Music app serves as the central hub for managing the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. While it may not offer as many extras as some competitor apps, it provides essential features to enhance the user experience. Key features like Quiet (ANC)/Aware mode, ActiveSense, EQ (equalizer), Eartip Fit Test, and Shortcut settings are available.
The app also includes Self Voice, which allows you to adjust how loud your voice sounds during calls. Additional features include a media player, power-saving mode (enabled by motion detection), volume control, battery level indicators, product tips, and Bluetooth Connections settings, which display previously paired devices. A future update is confirmed to bring independent single bud use.
Unfortunately, the app suffers from connectivity issues. Some users may experience difficulties pairing the earbuds with the app, even after establishing a connection with their devices. While performance issues can be common with apps before launch, it’s worth noting that the reviewer faced connection problems despite using the latest app version and receiving the newest software update.
Outside of the app, the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 offer quick charging as an additional feature.
Battery Life and Charging
The battery life of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 is somewhat disappointing, with a runtime of 6 hours per charge. For comparison, this is the same as the AirPods Pro 2 but less than the Sony WF-1000XM4, which offers 8 to 12 hours of playback. It’s worth noting that there is no option to disable ANC, so you can’t extend the playtime by turning it off.
The charging case provides an additional 24 hours of playtime when fully charged, which is similar to the first-generation AirPods Pro case but falls behind competitors like the AirPods Pro 2 (30 hours) and Sony WF-1000XM4 (35 hours).
Quick charging is not very impressive, as a 20-minute charge only provides 2 hours of playtime. This quick charging speed lags behind some other earbuds, such as the AirPods Pro 2, which offer 1 hour of listening time with just a 5-minute charge.
Additionally, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 do not support wireless charging, a feature offered by many other wireless earbud manufacturers, including Apple and Sony.
Calling Quality and Connectivity
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are praised for their top-tier calling quality. They feature excellent microphones that capture vocals crisply and loudly, making for clear conversations on your end. The Self Voice feature is especially helpful in noisy environments, allowing your voice to stand out.
However, there is a slight drawback when it comes to the performance of active noise cancellation (ANC) during calls. The original QuietComfort Earbuds did a great job of blocking out most background noise, but the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 might let some ambient sounds through, like car noise or household sounds. So, if you’re on a call, the person on the other end might be able to hear some of what’s going on around you.Nevertheless, your voice remains prominent over any background interference.
In terms of connectivity, the earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3, offering faster wireless performance, quick pairing with previously connected devices, and an extended range of up to 100 feet. However, despite being able to pair with two devices simultaneously, the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 do not support Bluetooth multipoint technology. It’s worth noting that they can remember the last 7 devices they were paired with. Unfortunately, the earbuds do not support one-tap Google Fast Pair.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 Pros and Cons
| No. | Pros | Cons |
| 1. | Superb Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 provide industry-leading ANC, effectively blocking out background noise and creating an immersive listening experience. | Limited Battery Life: With a 6-hour battery life per charge, these earbuds fall short of some competitors in terms of playback time. There’s also no option to disable ANC to extend battery life. |
| 2. | Excellent Sound Quality: These earbuds offer balanced sound with clear vocals and deep bass, making them ideal for music lovers who appreciate audio quality. | Inconsistent Touch Controls: Some users may find the tap controls unreliable, working only about 50% of the time, which can be frustrating. |
| 3. | CustomTune Technology: Bose’s proprietary technology calibrates the ANC and sound profile to your ears, enhancing both noise cancellation and audio performance. | No Wireless Charging: Unlike many competitors, the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 do not support wireless charging, which could be seen as a drawback for some users. |
| 4. | Impressive Call Quality: The microphones capture voices clearly, ensuring that your calls are loud and crisp, even in noisy environments. | Lack of Hi-Res Codecs: These earbuds support the SBC and AAC codecs but do not include hi-res wireless audio codecs like aptX and LDAC. |
| 5. | Bluetooth 5.3: The use of Bluetooth 5.3 results in faster pairing, extended wireless range, and improved connectivity with compatible devices. | App Connectivity Issues: Some users may encounter connectivity problems with the Bose Music app, which can hinder the overall user experience. |
| 6. | Compact and Durable Design: The earbuds are 30% smaller and come with an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance. The charging case is also more compact and durable. | Missing Features: The earbuds lack some popular features found in competitors, such as aptX support, spatial audio, and wireless charging. |
Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are considered a remarkable follow-up to their predecessor. They offer improved sound quality, excellent call quality, and outstanding active noise cancellation (ANC). Proprietary technologies like ActiveSense and CustomTune effectively balance sound and noise reduction. Additionally, the redesigned appearance is more visually appealing compared to the original model.
However, not every aspect of performance meets expectations. The touch controls are less reliable in this iteration, and there are issues with app connectivity, making it buggy. Furthermore, these earbuds lack some popular features such as aptX support, spatial audio, and wireless charging, which are increasingly standard in ANC earbuds from various price ranges.
Despite these drawbacks, there is optimism that Bose will address the app experience and touch accuracy issues through firmware updates, as they have done in the past with previous versions. If you can overlook the absence of certain features, the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 offer excellent sound quality and effective noise cancellation, allowing you to enjoy your music while blocking out the world.
