To begin, the initial setup is simple and straightforward using the app. I was listening to my music and podcasts in less that a minute from unboxing. The intuitive menu on the app makes it easy to customize the EQ, source, and other functions. I enjoy the bass kick it gives. I feel like the immersive option can be improved as there is not much of a difference between the stereo and the immersive function. The headphone also kept disconnecting from my laptop Bluetooth connection. Overall, this headphone is a much more improved product compared to my previous Bose NC700 headphones.
I have long been a Bose headphone fanatic. These were a big disappointment. Pro: Great noise cancellation. con: Immersion mode dramatically degraded the sound for podcasts/spoken word. Immersion mode for music made me queasy if I moved my head much. Headband rested on the top of my head in a way that gave me a headache. I have owned three other headphones from Bose, and never before have I had an issue with the headband.
Response from bose.comBy Eric V., Customer Support, November 3, 2023
Hello,
Thank you for your long-standing support of Bose headphones, and we appreciate your feedback on your most recent purchase.
We're pleased to hear that you found the noise cancellation to be great. However, we understand you expressed some issues, and we apologize for any disappointment.
The problems you mentioned with Immersion mode and the headband are not the experience we aim to provide. If you feel there is something wrong with the headphones, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can do that via the "Contact Us" page on our website.
Impressive! While I've always loved my wired QC35 headphones, the Immersive Audio Mode on the QC Ultra takes the experience to a whole new level. It offers a genuinely live-like experience where every instrument stands out with remarkable clarity, and nothing feels confined. The immersion and comfort are so profound that I often forget I'm wearing headphones; it's truly liberating.
The "Still" mode, though intriguing, can occasionally feel a bit disorienting. Personally, I tend to favor the "Motion" mode. My only wish is that the sound control bar was placed on the cup's face instead of the side. Having Bose earbuds also, I'm used to controlling the sound by tapping the surface up and down, so it's become a habit for me. It would be ideal if these controls were more universal across multiple Bose devices. Additionally, I'd appreciate a slightly higher placement of the control button for a more ergonomic design.
I tested the QC Ultra with various music genres, from rock to opera, and found it performed impressively across the board. The noise cancellation, a hallmark of Bose, is exceptional. In summary, the QC Ultra headphones offer an impressive and versatile audio experience. Whether you're indoors, outdoors, commuting, or engaging in various listening activities like music, movies, or conference calls, these headphones have you covered.
They are unbelievably comfortable! Other headphones have too much clamping force that I was used to for years, Never again. My first BOSE product and I’m never going back. The sound is out of this world and I love the app with the equalizer. The noise cancellation and immersive audio are superb. The look is sleek and cool with the two-toned colors.
As always, Bose remains on top with sound quality!
on October 30, 2023
Posted by: allyv
Gender:Female
Length of ownership:1 month
As always, Bose remains on top with the quality of sound! First of all, I am enjoying listening to the new Bad Bunny "Nadie sabe lo que va a pasa manana" album through these. The sound is rich, I love the noise cancellation because I can hear the lyrics better. I even used them for a 6-hour flight and they worked flawlessly. The sound quality is excellent with a very balanced sound that I appreciate. R&B Hip-Hop or classic rock sounded appropriate with no raspy highs or booming lows. I love how once I put them on, they automatically connect to my iPhone. I don't need to go through the Bose Connect/music app. I have been a fan of this brand for 10+ years. Bose is all I own for sound I'm happy they remain consistent with the quality, longevity of their products, and the best sound!
BACKGROUND / CONTEXT - Own multiple Bose products, including three NC 700s. - 1-5 hour daily use, across home, work, gym, travel, etc. - Multimedia sources: voice calls, music, podcasts, film, audiobooks & movies - Reviewed preview model in late October 2023. - My aim is to compare the QC Ultras and NC 700s directly.
THE PACKAGING (4/5) First thing’s first. packaging for the new QC Ultras is impactful and refreshingly lightweight (more on this later). The slip case — which announces that “Sound is Power” in bold Bose font — juggles Apple-style minimalism and playful Y2K-era motifs. While some customers who gravitate towards premium products may mourn the sturdiness of the old NC 700 packaging, it is not lost on many of us that waste disposal for premium product packaging can be truly depression-inducing. This problem seems to be registered by Bose; a message on the box itself encourages customers to recycle the simple, easy-to-disassemble box after extracting their new headphones.
THE CASE (4/5) My first impression when holding the new case — in all its bright, minimal glory — was just how light it was. “Dide Bose forget to pack the actual headphones?” I thought to myself. A quick unzipping of the case proved that first impression wrong. Headphones sat snuggly (if a bit contorted) in the appropriate slots and a helpful USB to USB-lightning cable was tucked into the side pocket. The helpful pocket flap on previous versions of the NC 700 is missed. Nevertheless, the case is extremely effective in its light sleekness.
THE HEADPHONES (5/5) …but forget the case and packaging. What are you actually buying? What did I think of the headphone hardware? The White Smoke model I received shone brightly in its case, asking me to retrieve it from its contorted position and to pair it to a device immediately. The headphones are easy to adjust and extremely lightweight (see above commentary on “premium feel” vs. sustainable use of materials); they sit lightly on one’s head and seem to avoid the migraine-friendly suction of the NC 700s.
While I initially confused the new multi-purpose button for the old NC 700 power button, I soon came to learn of its new functionality (play/pause, skip, shortcut). Some listeners may miss the ease of the light tap-and-swipe system of the old NC 700s; however, this change seems in-keeping and perfectly timed for the inclusion of a multi-function button on the new iPhone 15. The volume swipe is also adjusted and requires that listeners find a new, curved strip on the back-side of the right speaker. The physical motion of sliding one’s finger along this strip is satisfying but seems clumsy in comparison to swiping one’s finger on the front face of the NC 700 speaker. As I play with these new features in the coming weeks, I will likely post a follow up comment.
SOUND (4/5) On first listen, the listening experience of the QuietComfort Ultras does not seem to suffer from their light and looser fit. The headphones get the job done on a number of fronts. Sound is isolated. Strings soar. Bass booms. Beats pound and echo from one side of the headphones to the other. Listeners who enjoy layered production will revel in the quality of Bose’s new Immersive Audio setting. Furthermore, Podcasts and audiobooks take on a life of their own in “Still” mode. While this patented system may draw some customers, part of me wonders whether many more would be drawn to the more recognizable Dolby. Unfortunately, Bose continues to struggle in developing a feature that allows smooth and intuitive switching between devices. As I use these headphones for voice and zoom calls in the coming weeks, I will likely post a follow up comment.
OVERALL (4/5) The QC Ultras offer a very positive customer and listener experience. Bose can certainly improve on some packaging, hardware and programming elements, but their latest iteration of the QC line represents a unique take on contemporary NCs: they are lean and they are mean. Pound for pound, they appear to be a significant improvement on the NC 700s and a solid contender in the premium NC headphone market. For now, I say out with the old and in with the new.
Phenomenal! That’s my description of these headphones in one word. To begin with, the design is absolutely beautiful. I love how, when you adjust the length of the earpiece you don’t hear that clicking noise. The earpiece glides in and out very smoothly. The finish and quality of the headphones is top notch and it shows. When I wear them, it doesn’t even feel like I have headphones on, they are that comfortable. As for the use of the headphones, I really, really love how they added the volume bar which increases and decreases with the swipe of your finger. The sound quality is really good. As an owner of other Bose headphones (QC35 and QC45), I can confidently say that these are by far the best headphones Bose has put out. The immersive mode is a great feature. It sounds as if I’m in the music video. I absolutely love them!
OK, hoping for LE Audio update for it to be great.
on October 28, 2023
Posted by: cputoaster
Gender:Male
Length of ownership:1 month
Just bought it for calls in home office. It's ok but microphone is not better than my 5y old Plantronics 5200. Hope that a FW upgrade will add LE Audio LC3 call support for clear-as-wire voice calls.