These are the three headphones I‘m considering so I’d have a question if you don‘t mind: with the XM4 I had the problem of hearing my own steps when walking or running, is this also the case with all of these earbuds? Thank you :)
Not gonna lie. These are not worth the upgrade. I purchased the moonstone blue pair, and they are beautiful. But it's ridiculous that u don't get multi point or wireless charging. And my personal gripe is the battery length. If I have immersive audio or noise canceling on, I barely get 3 hours before I have to charge again. Also my pair won't connect to the app. I definitely am going to be calling to get this fixed.... because I would NEVER SEND THEM BACK. So even thought I think Bose really skipped on what is supposed to be ultra, I still absolutely love them. The fit, the sound, superior noise canceling. Whatever it is, Im not sure. But I just wouldn't part with them.
These pair may not be as "feature rich" as others, lacking Wireless charging, multipoint, fastpair, but it really nails its main selling points, (the Quiet, and the Comfort) making them a solid choice for travelling or when you need to focus.
Not having wireless charging is not an issue to me, but how they implemented it feels really dirty. You have to buy an additional thing to unlock that feature? Dirty.
Completely agree. If it has wireless charging, why not just make it available from the beginning? Bose nails it with their Earbuds/Headphones... but their call quality is god-awful. I have the QC2 earbuds and want to get these just to see if their call quality is acceptable.
@@hasseygolf i HAD the QC2 and they sound exactly the same as the QCU. How do i know? because you can go to the Bose website, file that your QC2 aren't working (just say they aren't charging or that they aren't connecting to your device), and instead of replacing my QC2's, they sent me a pair of QCU as a replacement. my thought is that even Bose knows the ultra is so identical to the QC2, that they'll replace one with the other. seriously though, try it out and see what kind of trade in you get. keep me posted!
@@hasseygolf file a defective claim, and they'll replace them with the QC Ultra. don't know why my comment was erased, it's not a big secret. besides, Bose knows that the QC2 and QC Ultra are basically the same product, which is why they replace defective QC2's with QC Ultras. that and because the QC2's were supposed to get the upgrade to AptX Lossless codec, which was officially announced...more than a year ago.
I was so close to buying these on Black Friday, but I won't buy 500 ear buds to find the perfect one. The deal killer for me was lack of multipoint. It is an absolute must. Don't care about wireless charging. My $50 buds have multipoint and wireless charging. Only thing it lacks is auto pause. Granted sound quality isn't as good nor ANC, I concede that, for $250 less! The biggest reason I want Bose is their wing tips. I love them on my wired Bose QC ANC ear phones. These buds sit inside your ear but on top of the canal. This is way more comfortable. I liked the Beats Fit Pro 2, but they hurt my ear after 20 minutes and the highs were a bit harsh. Come on Bose, multipoint is a must today. With ANC so good, if I'm on my laptop or iPad Pro, I can't hear my phone ring. I will continue to wait with my upgrade. If I'm spending $300, they need to be perfect.
I have the Bose QC II earbuds and I am always frustrated that excellent ANC (far better than any other earbud I've tried), great sound and a firm fit with wingtips, are spoiled by lack of multipoint and wireless charging.
The ultras received a firmware update that enables multipoint. The QC2's haven't had a firmware update since last Feb so it's doubtful they will get that feature
@@johndoe-vc1we Sweet. Thanks for that update! I am also interested in the new Samsung Buds Pro 3. I'll probably get one or the other. Waiting for more reviews from the masses. My other knock on the Ultra 2 is the battery life. I would definitely run out of battery life at times the way I use earbuds.
Got the Ultra's and highly recommend them. Have the QC IIs, the AirPods Pro, and XM4s and XM5s and these are my favorite by far. For noise cancelling the both the Bose are top notch. For audio quality rate the AirPods the worst and the Sony's as slightly better than the Ultras, BUT. When I turn on immersive mode on the Ultras they blow away the Sony's in my opinion. Sony also offers an immersive equivalent, but it requires a subscription and the music supporting their approach is tiny. Regarding wireless charging I got the wireless outercase and it works as expected. Regarding multipoint don't think the AirPods works unless all Apple devices and for Sony their multipoint only supports two devices and I have three so not missing much with the Bose.
I have the qc2 and they gave me a lot of trouble. All ready change 1 device and now the second 1 is at technician repair center. The first one couldn't connect with bose music app i changed mobile from xiaomi m9tpro to galaxy s23ultra the same they changed my earbuds to a new one after only 2 weeks now the second pair after 8 months working the right one stopped while i was lessing to music and never come on i tried to unpaired them and now i can't connect them the back button it's not working at all . And they are really good for sound its ashame
@@frederickazzopardi8331 Agree many connection issues with QC II while also amazing noise cancelling. So far Ultras are far more reliable and music is amazing in immersion mode.
You missed the Qualcomm snapdragon sound feature which means support for Aptx adaptive now. This makes a huge difference in sound if you got a Aptx supporting device (not Apple, mostly on Android) A lot of people probably also would like to know if the ANC white noise especially at lower loudness levels is still an issue/nerve wrecking. According to different tests it is - no difference to the IIs, unfortunately.
It’s painful how bad Bose has been at marketing the Snapdragon sound. They’ve always seemed to favour iPhone. I reckon all the marketing staff just have iPhones. 🤣 I have an iPhone too and it’s so annoying that I need to use a dongle with it to get aptX Adaptive. Been patiently waiting two years already for a dongle that supports aptX Lossless. Did you see that Qualcomm announced micro-power Wi-Fi lossless audio supporting up to 24-bit 192kHz? Bose has affirmed it’s working on products using the new chips. So, I think we might be looking at needing to buy these earbuds all over again this time next year. 🤣 I just hope someone does a dongle quickly with Qualcomm XPAN support or that by some miracle it’s supported in the iPhone 16 Pro.
Thanks for your review. I was looking at the Ultras vs the 2 in terms of noise cancellation for airplane travel. I'm neither here nor there concerning spacial audio. I think I'm just going to go with the 2's which are now $100 less.
I’ve watched loads of reviews. This by far is the best review. Thank you for the comprehensive review that includes poor call quality. I have the quiet comfort II and was so disappointed with the microphone. I was considering upgrading if it had been addressed which it seems it hadn’t , so thank you for saving me £300
These buds are really for high quality music listening. Call quality, sadly, is not a priority. It seems no earbuds can do it all just yet. Joshua didn’t even address the other big reason these are called Ultra and that’s the Snapdragon Sound capabilities. These should be available in the QCEII’s and Bose said they were going to release a firmware update to turn them on but it seems they abandoned that promise for this new model instead. Besides, you can’t take advantage of Snapdragon Sound and aptX Adaptive/Lossless without a source that also supports these. I still think though that there is more Bose could do here through a firmware update for both QCEII’s and the Ultras. Although it may only benefits those with a smartphone that supports the aptX Voice codec. The chip in these can do high definition voice but I think Bose may be preferencing something else because this is only available in recent Android phones. Update: forgot to mention you can buy a dongle to add aptX Adaptive to any smartphone. It’s not as convenient as having it built-in but it’s better than nothing. Creative BT-W5 is one. Although I’m hoping the next gen Creative dongle will have aptX Lossless.
I recently got my QC II for €165 😁. The QC Ultra currently costs around €350. I'd rather buy a replacement pair of QC IIs than pay that much again for immersive audio and less battery life. I'm 36 and have lived with €10 wired headphones for over 25 years 😂 That's why I find immersive audio more irritating than pleasant.
I’ve bought Bose products for years,it’s been decades since I bought anything Sony. They use to corner the market for budget top tier products. Bose always been so expensive. Not since the Sony Walkman 😂 Bose finally got the design right. Bass is more and ANC Bose QC 2. I’ll wait to get the Bose Ultra when on sale. Got QC 2 for $118 on eBay manufactured 2023 got.
Just sold my gen-1 Bose earbuds, and ordered a pair of these Ultras. Reason being, this latest iteration has APT low latency Bluetooth, which I'm hoping I can use as wireless IEMs while playing drums (Roland V-Drums, not acoustic) in a couple of bands. I've used full size studio headphones, but just find them too bulky for playing live. Also tried my old Bose QC20i with cable, and they work well, but the cable and the power pack unit on them gets in the way. I just wish Bose would enter the pro-audio market with some flat response headphones and earbuds!
Totally agree with you on the QC20's. The power pack does get in the way...and the wires too. That said, they sound incredible, especially when used with the LG V60 and its 32-bit Hi-Fi QuadDAC. I just ordered the Earbuds Ultras. Looking forward to giving them a go. I also own the QC45 over the ear headphones, which I love. They are incredibly comfortable. Even better, I can use them with the 3.5mm cord, allowing them to take advantage of my LG's 32-bit Hi-Fi QuadDAC. I don't worry too much about the Earbud Ultras battery because I have two other Bose Noise-Cancelling products. I'll bring all three on a jet.
@@hoppysport2872 Yep, I used the QC20s a lot with my iPod and they were great for working in a noisy switch room. Never had an issue with them, but the power chord is just a bit too short for plugging into my Roland drum module without an extension cable. Had the Ultras now for over a week, and they sound really good, with a bucket load of bass, like most reviewers have commented. The response is far from flat, so I've settled on Bass -5 Mid -5 Treble +3 for the Bose app EQ settings. Still plenty of thump 🙂 While the Ultras are a little more comfortable than the first gen Earbuds, I still think I prefer the Stay Hear tips to the things that are one these. While listening on a train, they are perfect, but while doing anything physical for extended periods, they tend to move around a little. Another annoying thing is when you go to re-adjust the position, they pick up the touch and pause the song or change modes! I also bought an Avantree Relay bluetooth transmitter to try and use with these on my drum module, as the Ultras are (apparently) APTx adaptive and low latency ready. No matter what I tried, the Ultras seem to revert to the crappy SBC codec when paired with the Relay. Avantree sent me a second unit to try, but this was the same, and Bose just fobbed me off with, "They are supposed to be used with a phone or tablet, not a transmitter." Duh, there is a transmitter in the phone, you cretins! Anyway, the Ultras are very comfortable, sound and noise cancellation is improved over the first gens.
I think Bose should bring back the earbud gel tips with the ear hook on the quiet comfort i, also make a case with a button closure so the earbuds don’t fly out if you drop the case or it falls
Pretty clear that here in Spain I am going to get the Bose QC II earbuds for 200 euros on Prime Day than actually paying 350 euros (150 euros less!) for the Ultra name.
@@MandeepSingh-ki6ve I am also very happy with my recent purchase of the QCII at a reduced price, they really hit the mark when it comes to great comfort and ANC, their main value proposition.
2 things I learned from owning these: 1. The ear tip parts have a small metal ring on them that acts like a collar to hold them on. If you use your fingernail to pry it off it will rip the rubber and they won’t be usable anymore. 2. The silicone wireless charging case cover doesn’t stay attached to the hard plastic case. I used double sided tape to secure it and that wears off easily. Personally I wish I didn’t buy it because the wireless charging isn’t that good and because the lid comes off really easily.
Listening to this with AirPods Pro 2 USB-C and they sound great. Also sound cancelling is eliminating the conversations of others. Last week I flew for 5 hours and they were great. My only complaint is I wish the battery life was longer with ANC. Bose battery life is worse. Plus without wireless charging I can’t consider Bose QC.
I don't care about wireless charging since it affects battery life but I would be more interested if Bose fixed the problem with wind and and, do you know if it has been resolved?
I have the Quiet Comfort 2 that I bought last year for 300 dollars. Do I drop the money for these, or keep the ones I have? Is it worth it? They are on sale for 250, black Friday. I mean I could try them from Bose and return if I don't like them but not sure.... Thanks for the video!
If you have a warranty just exchange it. I had two pairs for me and my wife and returned them both for actual issues like a blown bud and mic wasn’t good on either.
@@xaviermurray8781 Thanks for the info! I did wind up buying them on sale, the Ultras, And I wound up keeping them, I have both pairs. So the old ones I use for around the house and the ultras I take with on journeys. I do have to say I like the immersive audio. So we'll see I haven't had any issues as far as connectivity or any others really. I'm on a plane usually once a week so they are invaluable to me. 👍✈️
Great review the multi point connect is pivotal especially for ppl with multi phones any suggestions on earbuds that sound and fit just as great as these
I wanna see what happens if you wear these inside the over ear headphones. Is it so silent you go crazy lol but seriously im contemplating buying them and wearing them inside my nc700s or the xm4
I have owned a lot of premium earbuds buds and I really wanted to keep these but the constant disconnection, having to pair and repair constantly made me return them. For the price and not even being able to nail down connectivity issues was a big letdown.
i got qc35ii and qc2s, both i love, skipped 45s. might pick up the over ear ultras, i like to have both. however, im curious if the in ears have the weird angle so u can only use bose tips, otherwise u gotta find custom tips instead of being able to use silicone tips or foam tips. only thing i hated about my qc2s bt i deal. however, he said the comfort is better, so im thinking even w the angled tips thats a huge plus as my qc2s sometimes bother my canals. i really wish these companies would do a trade in program the way they do w phones because im tired of dishing 300 out every time the features get better. and when new shit comes out it makes your old stuff way cheaper on the secondary market.
Yeah decided to just get the BOSE QC II - doesnt make sense spending all that extra money on immersive audio when I use my headphones mainly for Exercise and listening to youtube podcasts. Doesn't make any sense going te ULTRA form. Also immersive audio on other headphones ive had in the past are more of a "hey thats cool" rather than a "I love this".
Totally, I tried them recently and the static noise in the left earbuds is very noticable and is still hearable through music. After what I've read on reddit, the issue is super common. The ear buds are truly great, but constant static noise is a total deal breaker, which is why I returned them. I will try the sony xm5 next and hope for the best.
I don’t blame you for this massive omission because Bose marketing has totally failed here but they’re called Ultra because of aptX Adaptive/aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound as well. Bose has never enabled aptX codecs before despite them being present in the SoC’s. I suspect you missed this because you don’t have an Android phone with aptX Adaptive or Lossless, and are not a wireless audiophile that likes to listen to lossless audio up to 24-bit 96kHz. aptX Lossless is revolutionary because it’s the first time we’ve been able to listen to actual bit-for-bit CD quality audio wirelessly. That’s what allows these to take an audio quality leap above the QCEII’s. If you’re just listening on iPhone then you’re still using AAC and will not experience anything new in audio quality here. As Apple and Qualcomm have this silly hate-hate relationship, we won’t be seeing aptX Adaptive/Lossless on iPhone. Bose has always favoured iPhone users. So, I’m not totally surprised at how little fanfare they’re making about the Snapdragon Sound. Add to that, the fact that Android phones with aptX Lossless are few and far between and you end up with reviews of these earbuds that are essentially unfair. I think all reviewers should have been made to assess sound quality with the ASUS Zenfone 10 or something, whilst playing back a 16-bit 44.1kHz source from a lossless steaming service. You could play the same thing from a iPhone or to a pair of QCEII’s to do a sound comparison. That would be interesting. iPhone users can buy a USB dongle to achieve aptX Adaptive from their iPhone. Creative BT-W5 is a pretty decent one. There is no aptX Lossless dongle on the market yet. It gets worse for iPhone users (like myself) as Qualcomm just announced lossless audio at up to 24-bit 192kHz via micro-power Wi-Fi is coming next year to Android phones and the next gen Bose products. Apple of course has begun to look at this with the delivery of a 5GHz radio in the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C that as far as we know, will only operate at 20-bit with the Vision Pro. Will they add micro-power Wi-Fi audio to the iPhone 16??? Will there be a standard that works on both Apple devices and Android??? I was just about to comment that you totally lose the bass with Immersive, as you said you don’t. 🤣 I listen mostly to dance-pop/electronic with a high dependency on bass and it literally loses the lot. I have to head straight into the EQ to enable the bass boost. The normal bass boost is too strong but I find a setting of 3 or 4 is just about right to compensate for the loss. The requirement to adjust negates this option for me. Also, I believe you might not be able to use aptX Lossless at the same time as Immersive, as this was the case with the Denon Perl Pro’s. I do not like the loss of quality this induces. It’s a fun gimmick but it might not suit everybody. The change in sound stage is impressive though. The lack of multipoint is a completely moot point for me. I can only imagine most people don’t understand multipoint from an audio quality perspective. Multipoint only works if all simultaneous connections are using the same codec. 9 times out of 10, the only codec in common is SBC. So, you could not be listening to an aptX Lossless source while maintaining a connection to an iPhone using AAC, for example. Both devices would switch down to the poor-man’s SBC. These earbuds are not general purpose earbuds. They are intended for a high quality audio experience. Multipoint is for general purpose use cases where you don’t care about the quality of your audio. People need to stop moaning about the lack of multipoint by learning about the drop down to the SBC codec. That’s your grandmother’s codec, for the Gen Z’ers. It was the first and it cannot be boosted for most sources and users. Audiophile super nerds might be able to adjust SBC under the right conditions but I’d imagine each source would need to match one another so that the multipoint doesn’t have to have separate data rates for the devices.
I own the Sony WF-1000XM4. Is worth buying the Ultra!? I mean from a sound quality standpoint! How about from a software standpoint? I find the Sony app quite advanced!
Got a wife that seems to like to get the last word (like yourself) Try these bad boys matter fact, try anything bose it’ll single-handedly, save a marriage😂
I had them both. Personally I liked nothing about the song. They are equal too or less than sennheiser momentum 2. Go Bose or sennheiser 3. You won’t be disappointed
Can anyone that has experience with both the QC Ultra and the Sony buds speak to how noticeable the differences are? The QC Ultras pretty much universally get called out in reviews as having better ANC but worse general sound quality, microphone quality (as demonstrated in the video), and flaws with battery and multi-point. I live in NYC and want good ANC for my walk to work, but I don't know that I'm willing to sacrifice so much other stuff for a marginal improvement in ANC.
And to further expand on this, it seems that QC Ultra have better low frequency ANC and Sony has better mid- and high-frequency. Currently I walk and buses/trucks are the biggest thing I'm blocking, but I'll likely start taking the subway to work in the next few months which is just a barrage of both low (general train rumble) and high (brakes). Seems like maybe it's a bit of a crap shoot and I should just go with the Sony buds since they seem to outperform almost everywhere else.
Also, further context. I'm coming from Jabra Elite 65T buds which I quite liked, but their battery is failing and it's time for something better. Both my contenders will blow them out of the water in terms of both ANC and music quality, I'm sure. They're good, but they were half the cost when I bought them and several years old by now.
@@johndoe-vc1we I got the Sony buds and I've been very happy. I actually moved away from NYC so the noise cancellation isn't nearly as important now, which makes me very happy I opted for the (very slightly) worse ANC in favor of other features. One thing I'll say is that the stock earpieces (like the actual part that goes in your ear) are a bit strange. Unlike most buds they're foam not rubber which means they (in my case at least) collect a good amount of wax over time and they're a bit difficult to clean. I end up having to squeeze and scratch them to get them clean. Certainly not the end of the world, but a very strange experience. All in all, very happy with the purchase and I highly recommend them. No idea if they're better or worse than the alternatives, but they've been great for me.
The microphone seems really bad. Other youtubers reviewed the same and it's quite bit worse than AirPod 2, not to even mention XM5. That's really a problem when we take calls / facetime from time to time. The Ultra headphone seems pretty good in microphone functions (12 mics), I'm disappointed they aren't performing as good on the earbuds.
U should do either a Galaxy buds a new pixel 8 or just an iMac review I suggest to get views up (these are the things most other tuners do a blow up with it)
In school do they teach you maths and science, or do a review on galaxy buds every day to get the likes up? 🙄🙄🙄 If people want to make an online purchase, this guys review is perfect. Customers will listen and hold off, Developers will be asked to prioritise features based on lack of orders and complaints… This guy is not a Kardashian, he’s a consumer advocate Great content
How come so many of these have a consistent issue/problem with popping noises and disconnections? Of course you NEVER hear that from these "influencers". Bought and sold by Bose me thinks.
My QC 2 are so buggy. Not only that Bose wouldnt warranty them and blocked me on instagram for saying they were buggy on a post. Petty Bose, very petty. I didnt think lack of multipoint was a big deal but my $50 ankers did 5 years ago. Id say at least twice a week I need to reset these. So imagine you get on the train. Pop in your buds and they arent working right. You spend 5 minutes resetting then a few more reconnecting. You realize you spent spent 10 minutes fooling with buds you spent $300 on. Fail.
Had these a week. After a week, definitely would not have bought again 1. They keep falling out my ears when working out, even walking around the city, doesn't feel secure 2. Noise cancelling and sound quality is fantastic (as you'd expect) 3. The touch function is very fiddly and sensitive (nightmare when it comes to Microsoft Teams - randomly starts playing the ringing sound which is impossible to stop at times) 4. Absolutely order from Bose directly so you can test them and have the option to return (which I didn't do and now regret)
Why do people seem to care so much about wireless charging? You really want to spend up and pay for an extra charger just because it can wirelessly charge? Is inserting a USB C cable too strenuous for people?
so to summarize, nothing new, just a new color. If you have the earbuds 2 there is no reason to spend another 300. perhaps a cooler look they are hoping people will spend another 300. marketing to the suckers. If its your first pair, then definitely get them if the buds 2 are no longer available. I am happy with my buds 2, some glitches, but the sound and NC is amazing.
For this price all reviews should be like "I'm totally blown away in every aspect" but in reality this is definitely not the case. Hence: way overpriced, shame on you Bose.
The bose ultra earbuds don't let you disable touch controls, even if u disable them from bose app. Even while chewing food , these would pause ur music , these r probably the most stupid earbuds and buggiest earbuds ever and not worth 10 dollars
Own BOSE QC II tried SONY XM5 and bought BOSE QC ULTRA
Immersive audio is GREAT! Worth the money
These are the three headphones I‘m considering so I’d have a question if you don‘t mind: with the XM4 I had the problem of hearing my own steps when walking or running, is this also the case with all of these earbuds? Thank you :)
Not gonna lie. These are not worth the upgrade. I purchased the moonstone blue pair, and they are beautiful. But it's ridiculous that u don't get multi point or wireless charging. And my personal gripe is the battery length. If I have immersive audio or noise canceling on, I barely get 3 hours before I have to charge again. Also my pair won't connect to the app. I definitely am going to be calling to get this fixed.... because I would NEVER SEND THEM BACK. So even thought I think Bose really skipped on what is supposed to be ultra, I still absolutely love them. The fit, the sound, superior noise canceling. Whatever it is, Im not sure. But I just wouldn't part with them.
These pair may not be as "feature rich" as others, lacking Wireless charging, multipoint, fastpair, but it really nails its main selling points, (the Quiet, and the Comfort) making them a solid choice for travelling or when you need to focus.
lol for 300 dollars
@@modelbashir2365yes, and hopefully you will be using them every day for 3+ years, it will be well worth it
@@modelbashir2365worth it for those that want anc and comfort more than wireless charging and multi point
Right!
I don’t need all the options. I just neeed to listen to music or movies as comfortably as possible.
@modelbashir2365 I have the Airpods Pro 2 and never use the wireless charging so no, it isn't always a deal breaker or big deal 🤷♂️
Not having wireless charging is not an issue to me, but how they implemented it feels really dirty. You have to buy an additional thing to unlock that feature? Dirty.
would it be better if it wasn't possible at all?
Yeah
Completely agree. If it has wireless charging, why not just make it available from the beginning? Bose nails it with their Earbuds/Headphones... but their call quality is god-awful. I have the QC2 earbuds and want to get these just to see if their call quality is acceptable.
@@hasseygolf i HAD the QC2 and they sound exactly the same as the QCU. How do i know? because you can go to the Bose website, file that your QC2 aren't working (just say they aren't charging or that they aren't connecting to your device), and instead of replacing my QC2's, they sent me a pair of QCU as a replacement.
my thought is that even Bose knows the ultra is so identical to the QC2, that they'll replace one with the other.
seriously though, try it out and see what kind of trade in you get. keep me posted!
@@hasseygolf file a defective claim, and they'll replace them with the QC Ultra. don't know why my comment was erased, it's not a big secret. besides, Bose knows that the QC2 and QC Ultra are basically the same product, which is why they replace defective QC2's with QC Ultras. that and because the QC2's were supposed to get the upgrade to AptX Lossless codec, which was officially announced...more than a year ago.
Excellent review. You cover almost everything of significance in very clear language. A lot of information in 9 minutes.
I was so close to buying these on Black Friday, but I won't buy 500 ear buds to find the perfect one. The deal killer for me was lack of multipoint. It is an absolute must. Don't care about wireless charging.
My $50 buds have multipoint and wireless charging. Only thing it lacks is auto pause. Granted sound quality isn't as good nor ANC, I concede that, for $250 less!
The biggest reason I want Bose is their wing tips. I love them on my wired Bose QC ANC ear phones. These buds sit inside your ear but on top of the canal. This is way more comfortable. I liked the Beats Fit Pro 2, but they hurt my ear after 20 minutes and the highs were a bit harsh.
Come on Bose, multipoint is a must today. With ANC so good, if I'm on my laptop or iPad Pro, I can't hear my phone ring. I will continue to wait with my upgrade. If I'm spending $300, they need to be perfect.
I have the Bose QC II earbuds and I am always frustrated that excellent ANC (far better than any other earbud I've tried), great sound and a firm fit with wingtips, are spoiled by lack of multipoint and wireless charging.
The ultras received a firmware update that enables multipoint. The QC2's haven't had a firmware update since last Feb so it's doubtful they will get that feature
@@johndoe-vc1we Sweet. Thanks for that update! I am also interested in the new Samsung Buds Pro 3. I'll probably get one or the other. Waiting for more reviews from the masses. My other knock on the Ultra 2 is the battery life. I would definitely run out of battery life at times the way I use earbuds.
The Bose are really good for everyday use and travel. The Sony 5’s are really good for music. I think those two are the ones right now.
thanks for the mic calling reviews
Got the Ultra's and highly recommend them. Have the QC IIs, the AirPods Pro, and XM4s and XM5s and these are my favorite by far. For noise cancelling the both the Bose are top notch. For audio quality rate the AirPods the worst and the Sony's as slightly better than the Ultras, BUT. When I turn on immersive mode on the Ultras they blow away the Sony's in my opinion. Sony also offers an immersive equivalent, but it requires a subscription and the music supporting their approach is tiny. Regarding wireless charging I got the wireless outercase and it works as expected. Regarding multipoint don't think the AirPods works unless all Apple devices and for Sony their multipoint only supports two devices and I have three so not missing much with the Bose.
Thank you for letting us know your views and experience with these earbuds. Very helpful.
Do these do justice to the spatial audio/dolby atmos on Apple music ? I have the QCII, and would upgrade just for the immersive audio
I have the qc2 and they gave me a lot of trouble. All ready change 1 device and now the second 1 is at technician repair center. The first one couldn't connect with bose music app i changed mobile from xiaomi m9tpro to galaxy s23ultra the same they changed my earbuds to a new one after only 2 weeks now the second pair after 8 months working the right one stopped while i was lessing to music and never come on i tried to unpaired them and now i can't connect them the back button it's not working at all . And they are really good for sound its ashame
@@frederickazzopardi8331 Agree many connection issues with QC II while also amazing noise cancelling. So far Ultras are far more reliable and music is amazing in immersion mode.
Well said, minor drawbacks. Immersive sound is amazing!!!
You missed the Qualcomm snapdragon sound feature which means support for Aptx adaptive now. This makes a huge difference in sound if you got a Aptx supporting device (not Apple, mostly on Android) A lot of people probably also would like to know if the ANC white noise especially at lower loudness levels is still an issue/nerve wrecking. According to different tests it is - no difference to the IIs, unfortunately.
It’s painful how bad Bose has been at marketing the Snapdragon sound. They’ve always seemed to favour iPhone. I reckon all the marketing staff just have iPhones. 🤣 I have an iPhone too and it’s so annoying that I need to use a dongle with it to get aptX Adaptive. Been patiently waiting two years already for a dongle that supports aptX Lossless.
Did you see that Qualcomm announced micro-power Wi-Fi lossless audio supporting up to 24-bit 192kHz? Bose has affirmed it’s working on products using the new chips. So, I think we might be looking at needing to buy these earbuds all over again this time next year. 🤣 I just hope someone does a dongle quickly with Qualcomm XPAN support or that by some miracle it’s supported in the iPhone 16 Pro.
Still has white noise? Guess I'm sticking with my QC 1
It’s in ALL except air pod pro 2
I just lower the transparency and
No white noise
Can still hear around me
Thanks for your review. I was looking at the Ultras vs the 2 in terms of noise cancellation for airplane travel. I'm neither here nor there concerning spacial audio. I think I'm just going to go with the 2's which are now $100 less.
Exactly the comment I was looking for. I dont require the latest product for the above usage. The price point is high from the one to the other.
These do have better anc in testing
Nah they sound the same.
I’ve watched loads of reviews. This by far is the best review. Thank you for the comprehensive review that includes poor call quality. I have the quiet comfort II and was so disappointed with the microphone. I was considering upgrading if it had been addressed which it seems it hadn’t , so thank you for saving me £300
Dude update the software they have rectified.
These buds are really for high quality music listening. Call quality, sadly, is not a priority. It seems no earbuds can do it all just yet. Joshua didn’t even address the other big reason these are called Ultra and that’s the Snapdragon Sound capabilities. These should be available in the QCEII’s and Bose said they were going to release a firmware update to turn them on but it seems they abandoned that promise for this new model instead. Besides, you can’t take advantage of Snapdragon Sound and aptX Adaptive/Lossless without a source that also supports these.
I still think though that there is more Bose could do here through a firmware update for both QCEII’s and the Ultras. Although it may only benefits those with a smartphone that supports the aptX Voice codec. The chip in these can do high definition voice but I think Bose may be preferencing something else because this is only available in recent Android phones.
Update: forgot to mention you can buy a dongle to add aptX Adaptive to any smartphone. It’s not as convenient as having it built-in but it’s better than nothing. Creative BT-W5 is one. Although I’m hoping the next gen Creative dongle will have aptX Lossless.
I recently got my QC II for €165 😁. The QC Ultra currently costs around €350. I'd rather buy a replacement pair of QC IIs than pay that much again for immersive audio and less battery life. I'm 36 and have lived with €10 wired headphones for over 25 years 😂 That's why I find immersive audio more irritating than pleasant.
I’ve bought Bose products for years,it’s been decades since I bought anything Sony. They use to corner the market for budget top tier products. Bose always been so expensive. Not since the Sony Walkman 😂
Bose finally got the design right. Bass is more and ANC Bose QC 2. I’ll wait to get the Bose Ultra when on sale. Got QC 2 for $118 on eBay manufactured 2023 got.
i just went out and got the B&O to compare with the ultra - i would say the sound is the same yet the bose are more comfy
what model b&o?
Just sold my gen-1 Bose earbuds, and ordered a pair of these Ultras. Reason being, this latest iteration has APT low latency Bluetooth, which I'm hoping I can use as wireless IEMs while playing drums (Roland V-Drums, not acoustic) in a couple of bands. I've used full size studio headphones, but just find them too bulky for playing live. Also tried my old Bose QC20i with cable, and they work well, but the cable and the power pack unit on them gets in the way. I just wish Bose would enter the pro-audio market with some flat response headphones and earbuds!
Totally agree with you on the QC20's. The power pack does get in the way...and the wires too. That said, they sound incredible, especially when used with the LG V60 and its 32-bit Hi-Fi QuadDAC.
I just ordered the Earbuds Ultras. Looking forward to giving them a go. I also own the QC45 over the ear headphones, which I love. They are incredibly comfortable. Even better, I can use them with the 3.5mm cord, allowing them to take advantage of my LG's 32-bit Hi-Fi QuadDAC.
I don't worry too much about the Earbud Ultras battery because I have two other Bose Noise-Cancelling products. I'll bring all three on a jet.
@@hoppysport2872 Yep, I used the QC20s a lot with my iPod and they were great for working in a noisy switch room. Never had an issue with them, but the power chord is just a bit too short for plugging into my Roland drum module without an extension cable.
Had the Ultras now for over a week, and they sound really good, with a bucket load of bass, like most reviewers have commented. The response is far from flat, so I've settled on Bass -5 Mid -5 Treble +3 for the Bose app EQ settings. Still plenty of thump 🙂
While the Ultras are a little more comfortable than the first gen Earbuds, I still think I prefer the Stay Hear tips to the things that are one these. While listening on a train, they are perfect, but while doing anything physical for extended periods, they tend to move around a little. Another annoying thing is when you go to re-adjust the position, they pick up the touch and pause the song or change modes!
I also bought an Avantree Relay bluetooth transmitter to try and use with these on my drum module, as the Ultras are (apparently) APTx adaptive and low latency ready. No matter what I tried, the Ultras seem to revert to the crappy SBC codec when paired with the Relay. Avantree sent me a second unit to try, but this was the same, and Bose just fobbed me off with, "They are supposed to be used with a phone or tablet, not a transmitter." Duh, there is a transmitter in the phone, you cretins!
Anyway, the Ultras are very comfortable, sound and noise cancellation is improved over the first gens.
With Bose you will always get great comfort, sound quality, and anc. And I do agree with the things that you’ve said.
Thanks for the video,
I've got the qc2s and I swear I toggle that anc / hear through like 20 times a day just to hear how crazy the difference is
Enjoyed the review Joshua .
Great video, and I agree with everything that you said.
I think Bose should bring back the earbud gel tips with the ear hook on the quiet comfort i, also make a case with a button closure so the earbuds don’t fly out if you drop the case or it falls
I agree. I think the stability bands aren't as good as the ear hooks from qc i. I almost thought of going back to qc i for that reason.
Agree 💯
Pretty clear that here in Spain I am going to get the Bose QC II earbuds for 200 euros on Prime Day than actually paying 350 euros (150 euros less!) for the Ultra name.
Still expensive though
@@Amine382 You still have to pay if you want to get the best ANC in the game.
Me too. I'll be getting the Bose QC 2 because the most important thing for me is the ANC. Prime makes them more affordable.
Just got the QC 2 for $200. The ANC is top notch. Saves $100 by not getting the ultras.
@@MandeepSingh-ki6ve I am also very happy with my recent purchase of the QCII at a reduced price, they really hit the mark when it comes to great comfort and ANC, their main value proposition.
2 things I learned from owning these: 1. The ear tip parts have a small metal ring on them that acts like a collar to hold them on. If you use your fingernail to pry it off it will rip the rubber and they won’t be usable anymore. 2. The silicone wireless charging case cover doesn’t stay attached to the hard plastic case. I used double sided tape to secure it and that wears off easily. Personally I wish I didn’t buy it because the wireless charging isn’t that good and because the lid comes off really easily.
Bummer
Listening to this with AirPods Pro 2 USB-C and they sound great. Also sound cancelling is eliminating the conversations of others. Last week I flew for 5 hours and they were great. My only complaint is I wish the battery life was longer with ANC. Bose battery life is worse. Plus without wireless charging I can’t consider Bose QC.
I don't care about wireless charging since it affects battery life but I would be more interested if Bose fixed the problem with wind and and, do you know if it has been resolved?
For anyone interested, I bought them and the wind problem is still there...can't run or bike with these earbuds
@@gimig91why??? Tell me please I like bikes but I want buy it
I have the Quiet Comfort 2 that I bought last year for 300 dollars. Do I drop the money for these, or keep the ones I have? Is it worth it? They are on sale for 250, black Friday. I mean I could try them from Bose and return if I don't like them but not sure.... Thanks for the video!
If you have a warranty just exchange it. I had two pairs for me and my wife and returned them both for actual issues like a blown bud and mic wasn’t good on either.
@@xaviermurray8781 Thanks for the info! I did wind up buying them on sale, the Ultras, And I wound up keeping them, I have both pairs. So the old ones I use for around the house and the ultras I take with on journeys. I do have to say I like the immersive audio. So we'll see I haven't had any issues as far as connectivity or any others really. I'm on a plane usually once a week so they are invaluable to me. 👍✈️
I get free upgrade to Ultra this week, because of some technical issue, so yeah. Just came here to look my new upgrade 😊
Thanks for the extensive mic test
Great review the multi point connect is pivotal especially for ppl with multi phones any suggestions on earbuds that sound and fit just as great as these
I have the QC2 earbuds. The inner rubber ring unfortunately makes my ears itchy
I wanna see what happens if you wear these inside the over ear headphones. Is it so silent you go crazy lol but seriously im contemplating buying them and wearing them inside my nc700s or the xm4
I’ve done this with my AirPods. It is freaky silent
Listening to this video with the buds themselves lmaooo
Actually doing it😂
Sameeeee
Do u get any white noise at all?
Any issues or comments?
Hi, can you pause the music, turn off the ANC and have a conversation with someone easily?
I have owned a lot of premium earbuds buds and I really wanted to keep these but the constant disconnection, having to pair and repair constantly made me return them. For the price and not even being able to nail down connectivity issues was a big letdown.
I’m sticking with my qc1's. TEMP!
i got qc35ii and qc2s, both i love, skipped 45s. might pick up the over ear ultras, i like to have both. however, im curious if the in ears have the weird angle so u can only use bose tips, otherwise u gotta find custom tips instead of being able to use silicone tips or foam tips. only thing i hated about my qc2s bt i deal. however, he said the comfort is better, so im thinking even w the angled tips thats a huge plus as my qc2s sometimes bother my canals. i really wish these companies would do a trade in program the way they do w phones because im tired of dishing 300 out every time the features get better. and when new shit comes out it makes your old stuff way cheaper on the secondary market.
I’m sticking with my qc2’s.
This compared to XM5? I have the WH1000XM5. I'm lookign for an earbud now.
The ultras are insane, I upgraded from the original QC earbuds 1
Best ANC? Which do I buy??
Yeah decided to just get the BOSE QC II - doesnt make sense spending all that extra money on immersive audio when I use my headphones mainly for Exercise and listening to youtube podcasts. Doesn't make any sense going te ULTRA form. Also immersive audio on other headphones ive had in the past are more of a "hey thats cool" rather than a "I love this".
I have a question.
I hear that they have a static/buzz sound that eminates from the left earbud. Is that the case for anyone else?
Totally, I tried them recently and the static noise in the left earbuds is very noticable and is still hearable through music. After what I've read on reddit, the issue is super common. The ear buds are truly great, but constant static noise is a total deal breaker, which is why I returned them. I will try the sony xm5 next and hope for the best.
Great video!
I don’t blame you for this massive omission because Bose marketing has totally failed here but they’re called Ultra because of aptX Adaptive/aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound as well. Bose has never enabled aptX codecs before despite them being present in the SoC’s. I suspect you missed this because you don’t have an Android phone with aptX Adaptive or Lossless, and are not a wireless audiophile that likes to listen to lossless audio up to 24-bit 96kHz. aptX Lossless is revolutionary because it’s the first time we’ve been able to listen to actual bit-for-bit CD quality audio wirelessly. That’s what allows these to take an audio quality leap above the QCEII’s. If you’re just listening on iPhone then you’re still using AAC and will not experience anything new in audio quality here. As Apple and Qualcomm have this silly hate-hate relationship, we won’t be seeing aptX Adaptive/Lossless on iPhone. Bose has always favoured iPhone users. So, I’m not totally surprised at how little fanfare they’re making about the Snapdragon Sound. Add to that, the fact that Android phones with aptX Lossless are few and far between and you end up with reviews of these earbuds that are essentially unfair. I think all reviewers should have been made to assess sound quality with the ASUS Zenfone 10 or something, whilst playing back a 16-bit 44.1kHz source from a lossless steaming service. You could play the same thing from a iPhone or to a pair of QCEII’s to do a sound comparison. That would be interesting.
iPhone users can buy a USB dongle to achieve aptX Adaptive from their iPhone. Creative BT-W5 is a pretty decent one. There is no aptX Lossless dongle on the market yet.
It gets worse for iPhone users (like myself) as Qualcomm just announced lossless audio at up to 24-bit 192kHz via micro-power Wi-Fi is coming next year to Android phones and the next gen Bose products. Apple of course has begun to look at this with the delivery of a 5GHz radio in the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C that as far as we know, will only operate at 20-bit with the Vision Pro. Will they add micro-power Wi-Fi audio to the iPhone 16??? Will there be a standard that works on both Apple devices and Android???
I was just about to comment that you totally lose the bass with Immersive, as you said you don’t. 🤣 I listen mostly to dance-pop/electronic with a high dependency on bass and it literally loses the lot. I have to head straight into the EQ to enable the bass boost. The normal bass boost is too strong but I find a setting of 3 or 4 is just about right to compensate for the loss. The requirement to adjust negates this option for me. Also, I believe you might not be able to use aptX Lossless at the same time as Immersive, as this was the case with the Denon Perl Pro’s. I do not like the loss of quality this induces. It’s a fun gimmick but it might not suit everybody. The change in sound stage is impressive though.
The lack of multipoint is a completely moot point for me. I can only imagine most people don’t understand multipoint from an audio quality perspective. Multipoint only works if all simultaneous connections are using the same codec. 9 times out of 10, the only codec in common is SBC. So, you could not be listening to an aptX Lossless source while maintaining a connection to an iPhone using AAC, for example. Both devices would switch down to the poor-man’s SBC. These earbuds are not general purpose earbuds. They are intended for a high quality audio experience. Multipoint is for general purpose use cases where you don’t care about the quality of your audio. People need to stop moaning about the lack of multipoint by learning about the drop down to the SBC codec. That’s your grandmother’s codec, for the Gen Z’ers. It was the first and it cannot be boosted for most sources and users. Audiophile super nerds might be able to adjust SBC under the right conditions but I’d imagine each source would need to match one another so that the multipoint doesn’t have to have separate data rates for the devices.
Bro you taught me so much.
Holy.... that's a long explanation 😮
The quietcomfort 2 are now $200 dont think the ultra are worth the extra money
What about the connectivity issues..any advice on that?
I own the Sony WF-1000XM4. Is worth buying the Ultra!? I mean from a sound quality standpoint! How about from a software standpoint? I find the Sony app quite advanced!
How is the ANC compared to the QCII earbuds? The same or a huge upgrade since my focus is ANC alone.
I would say not necessary to upgrade
What do you mean track to your head? I'm sorry I don't understand You did a pretty good job explaining
These are perfect for me, over ears ones make my ears sweat. Plus just picked them up for £150
Appreciate the honesty in your review! Honestly feels like a cash grab from Bose putting these out…
Got a wife that seems to like to get the last word (like yourself) Try these bad boys matter fact, try anything bose it’ll single-handedly, save a marriage😂
Is it worth to upgrade from qc ii to this one? I’m enjoying the qc ii tbh
Probably not. QC II’s are sweet! This is just a slight refresh.
Will wait for the next Bose earbuds
When though ?
You might have to wait a long time
Agree great comfort!
I have read somewhere that you can not turn off the noise cancelling on the Ultra is that true ?
Also in the QC2
Multipoint was added as a software update in July 2024
Which one is better please this one or sony xm-5000 ?
It depends what is your music taste 😊
Both are great in theory own ways.
I had them both. Personally I liked nothing about the song. They are equal too or less than sennheiser momentum 2. Go Bose or sennheiser 3. You won’t be disappointed
Love the video
I don’t know how to explain it, and I don’t want to sound racist, but you give off a Canadian vibe
Bose music app update so it works with Android 9 and the ultras please
What's their individual weight?
Can anyone that has experience with both the QC Ultra and the Sony buds speak to how noticeable the differences are?
The QC Ultras pretty much universally get called out in reviews as having better ANC but worse general sound quality, microphone quality (as demonstrated in the video), and flaws with battery and multi-point.
I live in NYC and want good ANC for my walk to work, but I don't know that I'm willing to sacrifice so much other stuff for a marginal improvement in ANC.
And to further expand on this, it seems that QC Ultra have better low frequency ANC and Sony has better mid- and high-frequency.
Currently I walk and buses/trucks are the biggest thing I'm blocking, but I'll likely start taking the subway to work in the next few months which is just a barrage of both low (general train rumble) and high (brakes). Seems like maybe it's a bit of a crap shoot and I should just go with the Sony buds since they seem to outperform almost everywhere else.
Also, further context. I'm coming from Jabra Elite 65T buds which I quite liked, but their battery is failing and it's time for something better.
Both my contenders will blow them out of the water in terms of both ANC and music quality, I'm sure. They're good, but they were half the cost when I bought them and several years old by now.
@@CSpottsGamingso what did you end up getting and how is it?
@@johndoe-vc1we I got the Sony buds and I've been very happy.
I actually moved away from NYC so the noise cancellation isn't nearly as important now, which makes me very happy I opted for the (very slightly) worse ANC in favor of other features.
One thing I'll say is that the stock earpieces (like the actual part that goes in your ear) are a bit strange. Unlike most buds they're foam not rubber which means they (in my case at least) collect a good amount of wax over time and they're a bit difficult to clean. I end up having to squeeze and scratch them to get them clean. Certainly not the end of the world, but a very strange experience.
All in all, very happy with the purchase and I highly recommend them. No idea if they're better or worse than the alternatives, but they've been great for me.
No highs, no lows, must be Bose? Just kidding, these are actually very good.
No comment on Snapdragon and aptx adaptive??????
The microphone seems really bad. Other youtubers reviewed the same and it's quite bit worse than AirPod 2, not to even mention XM5. That's really a problem when we take calls / facetime from time to time. The Ultra headphone seems pretty good in microphone functions (12 mics), I'm disappointed they aren't performing as good on the earbuds.
The ANC hiss on the bose ultra is something I can’t accept for this price and the call quality is bad as terrible. Same apply in windows 11.
U should do either a Galaxy buds a new pixel 8 or just an iMac review I suggest to get views up (these are the things most other tuners do a blow up with it)
Lol no one asked you, he already work hard on the video, at least you should do is support him
@@syakirmohdnazri I was just suggesting smthn my guy I did thag so he could make more money and get his views up
@@syakirmohdnazri that’s y ur black
In school do they teach you maths and science, or do a review on galaxy buds every day to get the likes up? 🙄🙄🙄
If people want to make an online purchase, this guys review is perfect.
Customers will listen and hold off,
Developers will be asked to prioritise features based on lack of orders and complaints…
This guy is not a Kardashian, he’s a consumer advocate
Great content
At a price tag of 300€ i expect them to replace the horrible case (size, plastic like cheapest china toys) before I'd buy any successor
How come so many of these have a consistent issue/problem with popping noises and disconnections? Of course you NEVER hear that from these "influencers". Bought and sold by Bose me thinks.
No wireless charging :(
I have all 3 of the Bose and the Immersive Audio is a game changer. Sony got beat.
My QC 2 are so buggy. Not only that Bose wouldnt warranty them and blocked me on instagram for saying they were buggy on a post. Petty Bose, very petty. I didnt think lack of multipoint was a big deal but my $50 ankers did 5 years ago. Id say at least twice a week I need to reset these. So imagine you get on the train. Pop in your buds and they arent working right. You spend 5 minutes resetting then a few more reconnecting. You realize you spent spent 10 minutes fooling with buds you spent $300 on. Fail.
I’ve had Bose earbuds for quite a while. However, I do not think the upgrade is worth that extra amount of money. I feel disappointed on the ultra
Doing a call is just bad! I did send them back.
Missing the Multipoint connection is a bummer! Deal breaker!!
Had these a week. After a week, definitely would not have bought again
1. They keep falling out my ears when working out, even walking around the city, doesn't feel secure
2. Noise cancelling and sound quality is fantastic (as you'd expect)
3. The touch function is very fiddly and sensitive (nightmare when it comes to Microsoft Teams - randomly starts playing the ringing sound which is impossible to stop at times)
4. Absolutely order from Bose directly so you can test them and have the option to return (which I didn't do and now regret)
If he says Mariah Carey, I dont trust this review
Same here, to convince myself … 😂
Why do people seem to care so much about wireless charging? You really want to spend up and pay for an extra charger just because it can wirelessly charge? Is inserting a USB C cable too strenuous for people?
so to summarize, nothing new, just a new color. If you have the earbuds 2 there is no reason to spend another 300. perhaps a cooler look they are hoping people will spend another 300. marketing to the suckers. If its your first pair, then definitely get them if the buds 2 are no longer available. I am happy with my buds 2, some glitches, but the sound and NC is amazing.
The “ultra” name is 100% because they’ll release a mid-range pair of Quietcomforts soon.
For this price all reviews should be like "I'm totally blown away in every aspect" but in reality this is definitely not the case. Hence: way overpriced, shame on you Bose.
Do they have speak to chat features?
I’m ok without wireless charging because that just means I can recharge them with my existing power bank
Call quality is still trash
Call quality usually just isn’t good regardless because of the form of data transfer. If you use FaceTime audio instead call quality is great
@@lemon_z5853can you please explan more
Really? That's interesting
Sound is great but i’s by far one of the worst when it comes to call quality 🤷🏾♂️
Could that have anything to do with the fit?
too much bass in the bose qc earbuds 2
nothing ultra about it, apart from the price
300 dollars with no wireless charging is kinda trash
Call quality still sucks
Buds? Boses? Sounds stupid hearing you say these words.
The bose ultra earbuds don't let you disable touch controls, even if u disable them from bose app. Even while chewing food , these would pause ur music , these r probably the most stupid earbuds and buggiest earbuds ever and not worth 10 dollars
Sony xm5 is much better than bose
Fr I love my wh xm5s
They hardly have any bass!