Test bose qc ultra earbuds (2nd generation): almost perfect headphones, but which barely jostle their elders

Ultra Earbuds QC (Gen 2) succeed Ultra Earbuds QCs, which are still among the best headset reduction on the market since their release in 2023.

Referring to an update rather than a new full -fledged product, this generation only displays slight optimizations. If the latter seem actually minor on paper, they are nonetheless attractive, especially since ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) are launched at a price of € 299, 50 € less than their predecessors when they released. Note that the first version is now available around € 230.

During this test, we will only dwell on the changes offered by ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2), namely an supposedly superior noise reduction, better AI algorithm dedicated to telephone calls, etc. Thus, we strongly recommend consulting our ultra earbuds QC test to take full measure of their performance.

Price & availability

Ultra Earbuds QC (Gen 2) released in June 2025 at a price of € 300 in black, white cloud and intense plum finishes.

Test conditions

The ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) were tested with version 4.914+G9A56BA7 of their firmware and the Bose App in 11.2.9 version.

Physically, ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) identify the design of their predecessors identically. We simply note the introduction of an unprecedented intense plum finish and new silicone tips incorporating protection to prevent the accumulation of ceromen on the grids at the entrance to the acoustic chamber.

These tips are always available in three different sizes, just like the removable silicone fins, for their part identical to those of the previous generation. Of course, this unchanged design involves feelings of comfort and a maintenance still as exceptional, provided you benefit from a morphology accepting their fairly imposing template.

The case is also a compliant copy of that of original ultra earbuds QC, except that it now has a slightly enlarged bose logo.

In terms of features, ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) bring practically nothing new, if not a housing accepting the wireless load by induction and a Spotify Tap compatibility for access to the streaming service of a simple support. In addition, in addition to the display of the housing autonomy, the Bose App now makes it possible to deactivate the touch controls placed on the external part of the shells. A rather practical function for users who tend to carry out clumsy commands by adjusting the earphones.

For the rest, the Bose App offers the same features as those offered with ultra earbuds QC, including a slightly light 3 -band equalizer, personalization of orders, management of port sensors, and much more.

In addition, connectivity has not changed. We find the same Bluetooth 5.3 receiver compatible with the SBC, AAC and Aptx adaptive codecs, as well as the Google Fast Pair fast pairing protocol. The new Fleurons de Bose headphones unfortunately still do not take care of the Audio standard and its LC3 codec, which would have made it possible to compensate for an overly high audiovisual latency of 250 ms.

In addition, like their elders, ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) opt for IPX4 certification protecting them from dust and splashes.

Like their predecessors, Ultra Earbuds QC (Gen 2) adopt the custom technology which adjusts all of the headphones according to the form of the auditory duct to each implementation, as well as the owner -owner of Bose, recognized to widen the sound scene without beyond the signal fidelity.

In terms of pure restitution, the brand evokes a “son premium”without specifying if a reshuffle of the sound setting has been operated. In fact, although transducers and the acoustic chamber are unchanged from the first version, we perceive subtle developments in the sound signature.

This change does not imply a total revision of the sound profile, far from it. Bose seems to have simply decided to enhance the bass and high medium/treble. Therefore, if the ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) generally retain the behavior of their elders in these ranges, there is an even more backward than before, but a slight improvement in balance around 1 kHz.

If this “extremist” equalization can suggest the opposite on paper, it gives the ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) a slightly more natural rendering by default. Indeed, with an acute enhanced so as to better balance in relation to the medium, as well as an additional overweight in the extreme serious, they offer both bodies and clarity than first generation ultra earbuds QC. We then benefit from better respect for the serious components of the voices, as well as a less artificial reproduction of the most intense sound elements such as light cases, guitar riffs, etc.

If the evolution is controlled to a certain extent, Bose still had a heavy hand on this adjustment. Without phagocyter the bass tight and punchy for which its elder is acclaimed, the accentuation of the sub exaggerates too much the impact of large cases and causes rumbles on the pieces already loaded in this region.

The slightly more dug profile of ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) also tends to highlight precision defects in the treble. Sibilant charleys and consonants often appear slightly more incisive than with the first generation. To top it off, ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) keep an assertive high-medium around 3 kHz. This accentuation strengthens the living nature of listening, but can lead to a certain hearing fatigue during prolonged listening at high volume.

In short, although the ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) are still not a model of neutrality, they embody the slightly homogenized bose sound, without deviating from its well -tempered original character.

Without explaining a real improvement for its ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2), Bose promises its “The quietest noise reduction”. In fact, if the ultra earbuds QC already ranked among the best headphones that we have tested in this area, their big brothers raise the level by offering better attenuation from 3 kHz. Although very subtle, the effect is felt on the return of the surrounding conversations inside, which become even less intelligible and more distant. In addition, metallic clicking and other door grips are even better hidden. In this region of the spectrum, the performance remains below those of the Sony WF-1000XM5, which reach an excellent level of passive insulation thanks to their memory foam tips.

If performance in the bass and the medium remain of the same ilk as those of ultra earbuds QC, the attenuation of the ATC is slightly reinforcing their capacity to obscure urban atmospheres. Finally, note that ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) react better to pressure changes. Their elders created an imposing deaf noise when the doors of a train are automatically closed, while the ultra earbuds QC (Gen 2) caused only a slight grip.

The attentive mode (transparency) has not really evolved. The voices of our interlocutors are slightly veiled and distant, but it remains possible to hold a conversation without removing the headphones.