Full Breakdown
Bose Unveils Second-Generation QuietComfort Headphones
8/7/2026, 7:58:17 AM
Core Release Details
- Who: Bose Corporation.
- What: Second-generation QuietComfort over-ear headphones.
- When: Pre-orders begin August 8 (scheduled); shipments start August 13. In Australia, pre-orders open August 7 for MyBose members and August 8 elsewhere, with shipping on August 13. In Europe, MyBose members can pre-order on August 6 with shipping on August 13.
- Where: Bose’s online store and selected retailers worldwide.
- How: Updated design, new Immersive Audio modes, upgraded “QuietControl” ANC, USB-C lossless audio, Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint, refreshed colors.
Design Refresh & New Features
- New headband with adjustable sliders and softer synthetic-leather cushioning; slimmer oval earcups.
- Five finishes: Black, White Smoke, plus limited-edition Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint, and Rosewood Mauve.
- Bose TrueSpatial Immersive Audio adds three head-tracking modes—Still, Motion, Cinema—previously limited to the Ultra series.
- USB-C supports two-way audio and lossless playback up to 24-bit/48 kHz; includes a USB-C-to-3.5 mm cable for analog sources.
- Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint and Google Fast Pair enables switching between two devices; charging while in use is supported.
- Battery life up to 24 hours (18 hours with Immersive Audio); 15-minute quick charge adds ~2.5 hours playback.
Data & Specifications
- Price (U.S.): $359 MSRP.
- Price (Australia): AU$549.95 MSRP.
- ANC system: “QuietControl” uses a six-microphone array with adaptive feed-forward controls to compensate for seal gaps.
- Charging: Full charge ~3 hours; 15-minute fast-charge yields 2.5 hours playback.
Official Statements & Responses
- Bose calls the model a “mid-cycle refresh” that brings Ultra-level Immersive Audio to the core QuietComfort line while preserving its hallmark comfort and fit.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Pricing: U.S. sources list $359, Australian coverage lists AU$549.95, and European outlets reference €349.95, reflecting regional pricing differences.
- Color variants: Most outlets mention three limited-edition colors; one source adds a “Mulberry Pink” option not confirmed in the official announcement.
- Battery competitiveness: Bose claims 24 hours of playtime, while some reviewers note competitors offering 30 hours or more.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In addition, the new QuietComfort Headphones feature an improved ActiveSense response when in Aware Mode, engaging the right amount of noise cancellation in a smoother and more natural sounding way to soften sudden spikes of noise, like a passing train,” — Bose.
What’s Next
- Bose has not announced a third-generation Ultra model; the current Ultra (2nd Gen) remains the flagship over-ear offering. No further release dates have been disclosed.
