Story perspectives

Bose Launches $359 QuietComfort 2nd-Gen Headphones, Pre-orders Aug 8

8/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Bose unveiled the second-generation QuietComfort headphones at a $359 MSRP.
Pre-orders start August 8, 2026, with shipments slated for August 13, 2026.
The headphones feature TrueSpatial Immersive Audio with Still, Motion and Cinema modes.
QuietControl ANC employs six microphones with adaptive feed-forward to reduce seal gaps caused by glasses or hair.
A two-way USB-C port enables 24-bit/48 kHz playback, microphone input and 24 hours of battery life (18 hours with Immersive mode, 15-minute charge adds 2.5 hours).

History

Historical Context

Bose, majority-owned by MIT, launched its first consumer QuietComfort headphones with active noise cancellation in 2000, building on a decade of aviation headsets sold since 1989. The line expanded with the second-generation QuietComfort Earbuds released on 18 September 2024, reflecting ongoing investment in ANC and new features. This evolution follows a broader industry shift toward wireless, high-resolution audio.

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Story summary

Bose unveiled the second-generation QuietComfort headphones at a $359 MSRP.
Pre-orders start August 8, 2026, with shipments slated for August 13, 2026.
The headphones feature TrueSpatial Immersive Audio with Still, Motion and Cinema modes.
QuietControl ANC employs six microphones with adaptive feed-forward to reduce seal gaps caused by glasses or hair.
A two-way USB-C port enables 24-bit/48 kHz playback, microphone input and 24 hours of battery life (18 hours with Immersive mode, 15-minute charge adds 2.5 hours).

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