By: Dipin Sehdev
Bose is refreshing its flagship over-ear lineup with the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)—a premium set of noise-canceling headphones that build on the strengths of the original while addressing one of the biggest criticisms from audiophiles: the lack of wired lossless playback.
For 2025, Bose has introduced USB-C lossless audio support, improved active noise cancellation (ANC), longer battery life, and new spatial audio features—all wrapped in a refined design with new colorways. At $449, the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra doesn’t come cheap, but it’s now better positioned against rivals from Sony, Sonos, and Apple.
Specs at a Glance
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Price: $449
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Availability: Preorders open now; ships October 2, 2025
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Colors: Black, White Smoke, Driftwood Sand (LE), Midnight Violet (LE)
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Battery Life:
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Up to 30 hours (ANC on)
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Up to 23 hours (Immersive Audio on)
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Up to 45 hours (ANC off)
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Charging: 15-minute quick charge = 3 hours playback
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Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint, SBC / AAC / aptX Adaptive
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Wired Options: USB-C lossless audio (16-bit/44.1–48kHz), 2.5mm analog input
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Features:
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Improved ANC with AI-powered ActiveSense
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Cinema Mode for spatialized audio & clearer dialogue
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On-head detection & auto-standby (months of standby battery)
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Google Fast Pair, Spotify Tap support
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Why USB-C Lossless Matters
Wireless headphones have made major strides in sound quality thanks to codecs like Qualcomm aptX Adaptive and Sony’s LDAC. But Bluetooth audio is still a compressed medium. Even at its best, it can’t fully deliver the full resolution of lossless formats like FLAC or ALAC.
That’s why USB-C audio is important. When plugged directly into a compatible source, the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) can play 16-bit, 44.1kHz or 48kHz audio without compression. This means:
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Greater detail: Subtle nuances like reverb tails and micro-dynamics remain intact.
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Lower latency: Ideal for gaming or video editing.
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No codec compromise: You get sound exactly as it was mastered.
Bluetooth is still convenient for on-the-go listening, and for casual use it’s more than good enough. But for critical listening, or if you subscribe to a high-resolution streaming platform, USB-C wired playback is a must-have.
Streaming Services That Support Lossless
Bose’s new feature comes at the right time: nearly every major streaming service now supports lossless or high-resolution audio.
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Apple Music – Lossless (up to 24-bit/192kHz) included in standard plan
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Amazon Music Unlimited – HD (16-bit/44.1kHz) and Ultra HD (24-bit/192kHz) included
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Qobuz – Hi-Res FLAC streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz
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Tidal – FLAC Hi-Res up to 24-bit/192kHz (moving away from MQA)
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Deezer – CD-quality FLAC (16-bit/44.1kHz)
Spotify remains the outlier, still lacking a true lossless tier despite years of promises. For Bose owners, that means Apple Music, Qobuz, or Amazon Music Unlimited will unlock the headphones’ full potential.
Design and Comfort
Visually, the second-gen QuietComfort Ultra stays true to Bose’s clean aesthetic but introduces polished metal accents and two new colors: Driftwood Sand and Midnight Violet. The earcups and headband padding have been subtly reworked for better comfort during long sessions—something critical given the extended 30–45 hour battery life.
Noise Cancellation and Audio Modes
Bose has always been known for ANC, but the competition—particularly Sony’s WH-1000XM6—has been closing in. For 2025, Bose introduces an updated AI-powered ActiveSense algorithm that dynamically adjusts ANC to block sudden spikes in noise, like a slamming car door or subway screech.
Two listening modes stand out:
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Aware Mode: Enhanced transparency that adapts to changing environments.
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Cinema Mode: A spatial audio profile that widens the soundstage and emphasizes dialogue, making podcasts, audiobooks, and movies easier to follow.
There’s also Immersive Audio, Bose’s version of spatial audio, which can externalize sound so it feels like it’s coming from in front of you, not inside your head.
Battery Life Improvements
Battery performance is another major upgrade:
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30 hours with ANC on (vs. 24 hours on the first-gen)
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23 hours with Immersive Audio enabled
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45 hours with ANC off
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Quick charge: 15 minutes = 3 hours of playback
On-head detection is smarter, too. The headphones automatically connect when worn, and when removed, they enter a low-power standby mode that Bose says can preserve charge for months.
Competitive Landscape
The premium ANC headphone market is more crowded than ever, with Bose now facing off against Sony’s WH-1000XM6, Apple’s AirPods Max, and the new Sonos Ace.
Here’s how they stack up:
| Model | Price | Battery Life | Lossless Support | Key Features | CE Critic Score |
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| Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) | $449 | 30h (ANC on) / 45h (ANC off) | USB-C (16/44.1–48) + analog | AI ANC, Cinema Mode, Immersive Audio | — (pending) |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | $399 | 40h (ANC on) | USB-C DAC (24-bit/96kHz with app) | Industry-best ANC, LDAC codec | 92% |
| Apple AirPods Max | $549 | 20h (ANC on) | Lightning (lossless with adapters) | Spatial Audio w/ head tracking, deep iOS integration | 86% |
| Sonos Ace | $449 | 30h (ANC on) | USB-C (24-bit/48kHz) | Sonos TV Audio Swap, Atmos music | 84% |
Early Impressions
On paper, the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is the most versatile Bose headphone yet. Between wireless convenience, wired lossless fidelity, extended battery, and industry-leading ANC, it looks like a strong challenger to Sony’s dominance and a more practical alternative to Apple’s AirPods Max.
The addition of USB-C lossless may seem minor, but it pushes Bose closer to the audiophile market—without abandoning the mainstream features like multipoint Bluetooth, quick pairing, and Spotify Tap.
At $449, it’s a premium but competitive option that lands squarely between Sony’s $399 XM6 and Apple’s $549 AirPods Max. With availability set for October 2, 2025, Bose is giving buyers just enough time to consider an upgrade before the holiday season.
Final Thoughts
Bose didn’t reinvent the wheel here, but it didn’t need to. By addressing battery life, ANC refinement, and especially wired lossless support, the company has strengthened its flagship line where it mattered most.
For audiophiles who want a travel-ready wireless headset with the option for true lossless wired listening, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) finally delivers what the first-gen didn’t.
The real question is whether these refinements are enough to pull listeners away from Sony’s WH-1000XM6, which currently holds the crown for ANC performance. Reviews in the coming weeks will tell, but for now, Bose is back in the fight at the top of the headphone market.
