With the QuietComfort Earbuds II, Bose introduced new ANC in-ear headphones – at the same time as Apple introduced the new AirPods Pro (2nd gen.). Bose promises nothing less than the best active noise cancellation, thanks to a new design and an adjustment of the ANC to the shape of the ear.
Sound is optimized each time it is used
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II offer new Bose CustomTune sound calibration technology, which the QC Earbuds II use to intelligently adjust the audio and noise-cancelling performance to the shape of the ear. To do this, each time they are placed in the ear, a special tone is played and captured by the inward-facing microphone to measure the acoustic response of the ear canal. With this information, both audio and noise canceling performance are then tailored to the user through a sound frequency profile. The process should take less than half a second. Instead of personalizing the sound once via an app, Bose carries out the measurement each time the earphones are inserted.
According to Bose, active noise suppression should also benefit significantly from this technology by reducing frequencies that were previously hardly switched off. Bose explicitly mentions the talking colleague in the office and the crying baby on the bus. Whether the QC Earbuds II can actually switch off these noises remains to be seen. CustomTune also continuously adapts to the changing ambient noise, so that the noise cancellation also reacts to changing ambient noise.
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (Image: Bose)
In the QC Earbuds II, Bose uses four microphones in each earbud – one on the inside and three on the outside – to detect and measure sound. The system is said to be able to adapt the noise cancellation to noise in less than a millisecond and react with a corresponding, opposite signal.
Adaptive transparency mode like AirPods Pro
As with the new AirPods Pro, Bose is also introducing a transparency mode with the QuietComfort Earbuds II, which adapts to the environment and is intended to specifically suppress loud noises. CustomTune is also intended to ensure that the environment “sounds as natural and lifelike as possible” in transparency mode.
Smaller earphones and separate earwings
Each earphone is about a third smaller than its predecessor and weighs six grams. In addition to a new shape for the earphones, Bose has also changed the ear wings for a secure hold on the successor to the QuietComfort Earbuds (test). They no longer form a unit with the silicone attachments and are now attached to the housing of the QuietComfort Earbuds II, which could provide additional stability. With the predecessor, attachments and ear wings are not separate, so that you cannot adjust their size individually with the successor, this is now possible. Bose includes three sizes with the QC Earbuds II.
To ensure an ideal fit, a fit test can be performed in the Bose Music app using the same tone as CustomTune sound calibration to verify that the earbud fits snugly in the ear.
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (Image: Bose)
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Bluetooth 5.3, AAC and IPX4
The QuietComfort Earbuds II are compatible with both Apple and Android devices. Bluetooth 5.3 is used for the wireless connection. Only SBC and AAC are available as audio codecs. There is no HD codec. And although Qualcomm announced at IFA 2022 that a new Bose product with Qualcomm technology would be presented on September 7th, aptX is not supported. LE Audio has not yet mentioned Bose either.
The earphones are protected against splash water and sweat according to IPX4, so they can be worn in the rain and during sports without any problems.
Playback is controlled via touch surfaces on both earphones. Settings can also be adjusted via the Bose Music app.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II (Image: Bose)Up to 6 hours of battery life
According to Bose, the battery life is up to six hours. The charging case fully charges the earphones three times for a total of up to 24 hours. A charging process takes one hour. A quick charge function provides enough energy for another two hours of music playback after 20 minutes. The charging case is charged via USB-C, the charging process takes around 3 hours. The charging case measures 66.3 × 59.4 × 26.7 mm
Pre-order from today, delivery at the end of September
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II will be available in Triple Black from September 29th at a recommended retail price of 299.95 euros. Pre-orders are possible from today on Bose.de. A soapstone colorway will be available later this year.