Bose launches a second-generation QuietComfort headset blending flagship features like TrueSpatial audio and enhanced noise cancellation into a more affordable package, signalling a shift in mid-range high-quality wireless headphones.
Bose has refreshed its QuietComfort over-ear headphones with a second-generation model that aims to bring more of the company’s flagship features into a lower-priced package. The new version adds Bose TrueSpatial, the company’s spatial audio system, plus a revised noise-cancellation setup called QuietControl, while also introducing USB-C lossless playback at 24-bit/48kHz. According to Bose’s launch details reported by T3, the headphones are available in new finishes including Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint and Rosewood Mauve, alongside Black and White Smoke.
In use, the most important change appears to be the noise cancellation. Bose says the updated six-microphone system is designed to improve the seal for users with glasses, and What Hi-Fi noted that the redesign also brings a softer headband, smoother sliders and more oval earcups. The company has also revised its Aware mode to better handle sudden noise spikes. That combination matters because Bose’s QuietComfort line has long been defined by strong ANC rather than outright luxury construction.
The new model also brings spatial audio features that were previously reserved for Bose’s pricier Ultra line. TechRadar reported that Bose TrueSpatial includes Still, Motion and Cinema modes, with Cinema aimed at clearer dialogue and a wider presentation for video. But the same report said the underlying audio hardware is likely unchanged in broad terms, suggesting the gains are more about processing and feature depth than a major acoustic redesign.
That matters because the second-generation QuietComfort is pitched as a mid-range alternative to the Ultra model, not a replacement for it. What Hi-Fi said the standard version launches at £299 to £300, while the Ultra sits higher at £450, and Bose’s own battery claim remains 24 hours rather than the Ultra’s longer endurance. In other words, the new QuietComfort looks aimed at buyers who want Bose’s best-known strengths , especially ANC and ease of use , without paying flagship prices, even if the finish and sound refinement still appear to trail the top model.
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