A Rip off?! 🤔 Bose QC Ultra vs QC Earbuds II vs the Best! | Review
- Reviewed 25 October 2023 by Aaron
Today I’m finally going to look at the Bose QC Ultra earbuds. Compared to the previous model the Bose QC II which this is supposed to replace, they look almost identical, even in terms of specs and features, except that the QC Ultra supports spatial audio, what they call Immersive mode, and head tracking which is something I’ll get more into in a bit.
The QC Ultra is also Snapdragon Sound certified. So on the latest devices equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs it ensures a high quality, low latency Bluetooth signal chain.
Active Noise Canceling
The QC Ultra is an extremely powerful active noise canceler like the QC II, and more powerful than the even best noise canceling buds from Jabra, Sony, Samsung, and to a certain extent, Apple. Here are sound samples recorded under simulated cafe background noise.
So that was how the QC Ultra compared to the most popular buds in the market in terms of noise canceling, but in this review, we’re also going to compare their sound, call quality, and transparency. Read on.
Microphone Quality
It appears that the Ultra’s microphone is similar to the previous model in quiet conditions, but in noisy scenarios it doesn’t cut as much background noise. At certain points, it was also unable to distinguish my voice from the noise, so my voice gets faded out. But, if you’re using an iOS device, you can also toggle your phone into Voice Isolation mode. That will help cut out much of that background noise. Listen to the samples.
(Tested under simulated noisy cafe conditions and wind from a fan. It is important to note that with iPhones running iOS17 and later, there is a ‘Voice Isolation mode’ when making calls, which cuts background noise regardless of whether the earbuds’ noise gating is effective or not.)
Join to compare all sound quality, noise canceling, and microphone samples.
Transparency Mode
In terms of transparency, the QC Ultra’s very usable in different situations whether you need to have a short verbal exchange with people, or for just general awareness. It’s not as transparent as the AirPods Pro 2, being as transparent as not wearing earbuds, but transparency sounds clean and well amplified in the mids on the QC Ultra.
Like the QC II it also has Activesense with auto detects and cancels sudden loud noises when in transparency, so it’s like a blend of ANC and transparency together. I like it, but it can get a bit annoying in cafes because of the intermittent loud noises from equipment, and kids. I love kids, but sometimes they are so annoying.
Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality, these have a very similar tuning pattern to the QC II. There’s that same dip in the lower and middle mids, and a bit more rolling off in the sub bass below 35hz so if you like listening to deep house, you feel maybe a little less heaviness in the bass. But it’s so subtle that overall it sounds similar to the QC II. Listen to the samples.
By comparison other earbuds will sound fuller in the mids, maybe a bit more presence and detail in the vocals, and a bit more crispness in the highs. Maybe a bit more shimmer in the soundstage too, which is what the Samsung is good at, with its emphasis on brightness in the mids and highs compared to the darker, more laid back signature of the QC Ultra. Listen to the samples.
App and Features
As with previous models you can customize the QC Ultra’s sound closer to the way you want in the Bose Music app using EQ presets or a very simple graphic EQ. Although you can’t really target certain frequencies since it only has 3 bands, it is very responsive to the dials resulting in tangible changes to the way it sounds. And if you toggle Immersive mode, stereo sound will be converted into Spatial audio, to be more enveloping like sitting in a cinema.
But, this is not Dolby Atmos. For earbuds like the Jabra Elite 10 and AirPods Pro 2 that do support Dolby Atmos, if you’re watching content encoded in Atmos on Netflix and Apple TV, you will get better object placement in a 3-Dimensional space. This isn’t that.
Instead what the Bose will do is to translate stereo into surround sound. And it does that very well, with little impact on sound quality. With head tracking you can even pin the sound in place so it sounds like you’re listening to actual speakers that stay put when you turn your head. And I like that its head tracking is implemented in the same way as the Jabra Elite 10. This means head tracking will work with any device and with any audio content. And it automatically recenters the audio’s positioning without needing to recalibrate.
Spatial audio with head tracking is an Interesting feature, but given what we know about the QC Ultra’s performance and features, should you buy it, or should you buy the other premium buds featured in this video?
Bose QC Ultra vs QuietComfort 2 Earbuds
Comparing the QC Ultra to the QC II, I see the Ultra as a very small step forward since it’s got Immersive mode and the QC II doesn’t. Apart from that, there really is little to distinguish between the two, since there’s no difference in terms of noise canceling, battery life, sound, or even mic pickup. And even now they both lack wireless charging. So if you currently have the QCII, there’s very little incentive to go for the QC Ultra. But if you’ve been eyeing the QC II, unless it’s going for much, much cheaper than regular retail, I’d suggest just going for the Ultra because you are getting a fresher unit and some extra features.
Bose QC Ultra vs Sony WF-1000XM5
Compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5, the XM5 is much more feature rich than the Bose. it’s not even a competition. It has wireless charging, better battery, it also supports Hi-Res audio streaming, and multipoint pairing which lets you connect up to two devices at the same time. All of that while being a much smaller package. And I’m just scratching the surface.
The XM5’s sound, features and controls are also much more customizable than the Bose. All very compelling reasons to go for the Sonys instead. That being said, the QC Ultra’s Active Noise Canceling is simply more powerful, it fits better for me, more snug, using silicone tips specially designed to fit more gently.
Another reason to buy the Bose instead is the controls. It’s set up in a way that mirrors each other, so even if you’re just using one earbud, you can access all the controls like volume up down, pause play, skip tracks, ANC toggles. On the Sonys, you don’t get all the controls unless you use both earbuds. And finally, the Bose’s spatial audio and head tracking works anywhere, not the Sony’s which are restricted to certain Android devices and apps.
Bose QC Ultra vs AirPods Pro 2
The AirPods Pro 2 is similar to the Bose in terms of controls, because it also lets you access all the controls using just one earbud. It’s the better option if you have everything Apple because of all the Apple exclusive features, like conversation awareness and seamless switching. And after iOS 17 it’s even better for iPhones as I described in this video, link in the description. Its spatial audio is also better.
What the Bose does better is the fact that you can access all of its features on both iOS and Android including firmware updates. Whereas if you’re using AirPods on Android, you’re basically locked out of most features including spatial sound and headtracking, nor do you get firmware updates. The QC Ultras also fits more securely, so it’s less likely to slip out and lose noise canceling power or bass. Although it is possible to counter that problem by getting third party foam tips for the AirPods Pro 2.
Bose QC Ultra vs Galaxy Buds2 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro is great if you use Samsung devices. Think of it as similar to Apple. Just like how AirPods are best on iOS, the Buds2 Pro is better on Android because only on Android can you get app support and firmware updates, and some other features you can get only if you use a Samsung device, like the lower latency Gaming mode, and higher quality audio with the new Seamless codec.
I like that it’s much smaller than the Bose, and has wireless charging. What the Bose does better is ANC, full controls on each earbud, it fits better which is why I can use the Bose for the gym and not really the Buds2 Pro, and I do prefer the way the Bose sounds, it’s fuller and less sibilant. Of course that is down to personal preference. I am aware of some people who think that the Samsungs are the best sounding TWS.
Bose QC Ultra vs Jabra Elite 10
Comparing it to the Jabra Elite 10, the Bose’s noise canceling is better, and it’s also easier to get a snug fit. Apart from that, it’s a very close fight because the Elite 10 is also one that has spatial audio and head tracking that works on any device and app. It also has physical button controls which is better for fall and winter since you can operate the Elite 10 with gloves. In terms of sound, it is currently one of the better sounding earbuds. A little too bright in the upper mids and highs, but no issue, that can be fixed in the Jabra Sound+ app.
And it has multipoint pairing, which is a major benefit for people who don’t want to constantly have to unpair one device in order to connect to another. This can be very troublesome with the Bose, since you cannot initiate pairing mode unless you put the Bose buds in the case. And for me at least, since it’s too big for my pocket, it’s usually in my bag. No problem like that exists with the Jabras. They can connect to both devices at the same time, and you can initiate pairing mode without putting them in the case. Much easier to manage, and it’s cheaper than the Bose.
Cons?
That being said, I did run into some issues with the QC Ultra’s Bluetooth connectivity. At times, it inexplicably disconnects from my phone. There was once when it even erased pairing data, so I cannot reconnect it in settings unless I pair them to my phone again. This does require having the case with you all the time because it is not possible to put it into pairing mode without the case.
Main reasons to buy the QC Ultra?
So overall, the main reason to still get the Bose QC Ultra over the others is its snug, comfortable fit, spatial audio that works on any device, full controls on each earbud, and the best active noise canceling of any earbuds till date.
If you’d like to check the latest prices of these earbuds, click on the Amazon links below.
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds - https://amzn.to/49TSg9K
Jabra Elite 10 - https://amzn.to/3EHIp9J
Sony WF-1000XM5 - https://amzn.to/3JGI1uN
Bose QuietComfort II - https://amzn.to/3gHBWmq
AirPods Pro 2 - https://amzn.to/3UoeJG8
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro here - https://amzn.to/3JFdoFV
Singapore Prices -
Sony WF-1000XM5 - https://s.lazada.sg/s.bsAyl?cc
Bose QuietComfort II - https://s.lazada.sg/s.bMAPm?cc
Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro here - https://s.lazada.sg/s.bMAIi?cc
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