Over the years, over-ear headphones have become more than just a piece of commuter gear, and starting becoming part of the fit. What’s on your head now signals taste the same way a watch or a pair of boots does, and the fashion houses have clearly been paying attention. The latest proof comes courtesy of Thom Browne, who’s teamed up with the kings of noise cancellation to deliver the Bose × Thom Browne QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
A Gray Suit for Your Ears
Browne begins nearly every project with that iconic gray suit, and unsurprisingly, this one is no different. The standard model’s protein leather padding gets ditched in favor of heather grey cashmere across the headband and removable ear cushions. It’s a swap that the two brands compare to wearing a pair of winter earmuffs, and the timing is perfect as we head into the fall and winter seasons.
The menswear references continue to stack up across the board. Browne’s four-bar motif runs across the earcup exteriors, a tricolor grosgrain loop sits at the crown of the headband, and the red, white, and blue striping inside each earcup mirrors the Bemberg fabric hidden within the label’s suiting.
There’s even a beautiful interior flourishing as well, revealing itself whenever you drop the headphones down around your neck. A stunning cashmere-clad carry case rounds out the stylish package.
No Downgrades Under the Cashmere
Beneath all that fabric sits the same QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) Bose released last fall. Which means you still get the brand’s best-in-class active noise cancellation, spatialized Immersive Audio, the new Cinema Mode for movies, and lossless listening over USB-C.
Battery life carries over untouched as well, offering up to 30 hours of playback per charge, or 23 if you keep Immersive Audio running.
Spec Sheet
Model: Bose × Thom Browne QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Base Model: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Materials: Heather grey cashmere, plastic, aluminum
Noise Cancellation: Adjustable ANC with ActiveSense
Battery Life: Up to 30 hours (23 with Immersive Audio)
Charge Time: 3 hours
Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB-C lossless audio
Weight: 0.583 lbs
Included: Cashmere carry case, USB-C cable, 3.5mm-to-2.5mm audio cable
Pricing & Availability
Priced at $950, the Bose × Thom Browne QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are available for preorder now exclusively through Bose and Thom Browne’s websites, with full availability landing September 28th. Quantities are limited and all sales are final.
Recap
Bose × Thom Browne QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Thom Browne wraps Bose’s flagship noise cancelers in heather grey cashmere and his signature tricolor stripes, creating a $950 statement piece that sounds exactly like the $449 original.
