Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Ultra earbuds came out in June as a direct response to Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. They compete in the high-end true wireless market where brand names charge high prices. Bose doesn’t have the smartphone ecosystem that Apple and Samsung do, but this independence is a good thing because it lets them focus only on audio engineering.
These black earbuds now cost $216 during Black Friday on Amazon, down from $299 which is a record-low and a 28% discount that transforms premium audio from splurge purchase into reasonable investment. The combination of world-class noise cancellation, immersive spatial audio and Bose’s decades of acoustic expertise at $216 makes these earbuds competitive.
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Every Listen Is Unique
The automated calibration system takes acoustic measurements of your ear shape and fit during the initial setup. It then adjusts the audio output to fit the shape of your ear canal: Different ear shapes change the way sound waves travel and resonate which is why the same earbuds sound different for different people. CustomTune adjusts EQ, noise cancellation intensity, and audio processing to fit your unique anatomy and this makes sure that you get the best sound possible, even if you have small ear canals, weird shapes, or preferences for how the seal should feel.
The world-class active noise cancellation uses Bose’s decades of experience in aviation headsets to make silence that rivals over-ear headphones, even though the earbuds are small. Adaptive ANC analyzes ambient noise 16,000 times per second so the drone in the airplane cabin disappears completely, the subway rumble fades away, and the office chatter becomes silent. The cancellation works across a wide range of frequencies, not just blocking low-frequency rumble and letting higher-pitched sounds through like some other implementations do.
The Immersive Audio mode makes sound stages that are three-dimensional around your head so instruments and vocals aren’t just in the left and right channels. Music mixes that are made for stereo sound get deeper through processing that makes it sound like there are more than one speaker. Movies and shows, on the other hand, get more immersive with directional audio cues. The head tracking keeps the sound in the same place on your phone or tablet so when you turn your head, the sound doesn’t move; instead, it comes from different angles, as if the speakers were in fixed positions.
With ANC turned on, the battery lasts six hours which is enough for workdays, cross-country flights, or daily commutes without needing to be charged in the middle of use, which would interrupt work. The charging case gives you two extra full charges, which means you can use it for 18 hours before you need to plug it into a wall.
The IPX4 water resistance keeps sweat out during workouts and light rain out during outdoor runs, so you can use it while you’re active without worrying about what will happen to your electronics. The rating is good enough for working out at the gym and jogging, but not for swimming or being outside in heavy rain, which would be too much protection. As for the AirPods Pro 3, the secure fit with different tip sizes and stability bands gives you confidence when you move.
The record-low Black Friday pricing at $216 makes Bose’s flagship earbuds cost way less than launch pricing while delivering audio quality and noise cancellation that justify the Bose premium over budget alternatives.
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