Last year, Bose introduced the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, supplanting the non-Ultra versions that debuted in its second generation the year before. With the same price as the outgoing model, these new $300 earphones boasted Bose’s Immersive Audio (an in-house spatial audio technology) and adaptive noise cancellation. Now the Massachusetts-based company has come out with a lower-end $179 model –– which it simply calls QuietComfort Earbuds like the older models –– but featuring much of the same tech as the Ultra. Let’s take a look.
Noise Cancellation Wars
Bose helped normalize the idea of active noise canceling over two decades ago with its flagship QuietComfort headphones. When it transposed the tech to the compact earbuds, it felt like a big leap. Apple first introduced noise cancellation with its AirPods Pro in 2019, but these debuted with a $250 price tag.
Fast forward five years and Apple has just unveiled a $179 AirPods 4, which features active noise cancellation without the hefty sticker price. But for those who want a little more proof in their audio pudding, premium outfit Bose has matched Apple with its own take, albeit without the open-ear design of the former.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Basics
While it won’t have the same spatial audio features as the Ultra edition, the brand-new, base-level QuietComfort Earbuds will still have hi-fidelity audio quality, IPX4 water-resistant rating, “best-in-class” active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and a solid battery life of 8.5 hours. A trio of mics aid with the noise cancellation, which we can already expect to be superb from Bose.
Design-wise, these are a bit less aggressive than the pointy Ultra model, looking more like the outgoing earbuds from before, with a rounder, flatter shape that will blend in more with your ear holes.
Launching in white, black, and purple colorways, the 2024 earbuds have new features as well, like a low-latency mode for gaming and a Remote Selfie button, allowing the buds to double as a shutter activator for the camera on your smartphone. Also, to keep in touch with your voice assistant, you can say, “Hey, headphones,” to activate Alexa or Siri, etc.
Spec Sheet
Noise-Cancellation: Adjustable Noise Cancelling
Battery: 8.5 hours
Charge Time: 1.5 hours
Water-Resistance: IPX4
Price: $179
Shipping Date: September 23
Pricing & Availability
Available with three silicone ear tip sizes, the QuietComfort Earbuds are priced, like the new AirPods 4, at $179. Shipments should arrive by September 23. Head over to Bose’s website to learn more.
Recap
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Bose debuts a new base-level QuietComfort Earbuds model with active noise cancellation at just $179.
