It's FIXED! 🔥 Gen 2 Bose QC Ultra vs Gen 1, QC Earbuds 2024, Sony, Technics, AirPods Pro 2
The Gen 2 QC Ultra Earbuds has got some actual upgrades like wireless charging without needing a special accessory, you can view the case battery level in the app, and the option to disable touch controls. They also claim to be upgraded in terms of call quality, specifically in terms of noise suppression, and improved ActiveSense, so when you’re in Aware mode, noise canceling kicks in whenever it gets too noisy. Comparing their ActiveSense, yes it does reject more ambient noise now compared to Gen 1.
But has their mic quality really improved? What about its active noise canceling, sound quality and transparency, and how does it compare to popular earbuds like the Technics AZ100, Sony WF-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 2? That will all be covered so buckle up!
Microphone Quality
The Gen 2 QC Ultra’s mic quality is a huge upgrade over Gen 1, and if we compare them to the rest, it’s one of the best in terms of background noise reduction and voice filtering. It may even be better than the Technics AZ100 and the QC earbuds 2024 because my voice sounds less robotic. On the other hand the AirPods have the best mic in quiet conditions, but its noise gating is overly aggressive in noisy conditions.
👉 Have a listen to the mic quality samples
Active Noise Cancelling
Bose QC Ultra 2 vs Bose QC Ultra Gen 1
As for the Ultra 2’s active noise canceling, it’s not an upgrade, not a downgrade, but a sidegrade over Gen 1. We can see that Gen 1 is quieter in the low frequencies, so it could be more effective against loud droning noises, but Gen 2 is quieter in the mids and highs.
Bose QC Ultra 2 vs Bose QCE 2024
So it’s going to deal with everyday noises better such as human chatter and traffic noise. Compared to the 2024 QC Earbuds, it’s also quieter in the lows and the highs so these are still the best noise cancelers from Bose, but what about the others?
The Sony is still quieter in the upper mids due to the foam tips it uses, the Technics is less quiet in general but still quite capable at canceling noise, and the AirPods Pro 2 is stronger in the bass and mids, but not as effective in the high frequencies. In short, the Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 still is one of the best noise cancelers, if not the best.
👉 Have a listen to the ANC quality samples
Transparency Mode
For transparency mode, it seems to not be as great as Gen 1. It still has that airy, clear feeling, but compared to the rest, it doesn’t amplify ambient sounds as much in the lower bass and midrange frequencies. So there will still be some muffling when you’re having verbal exchanges, and some occlusion of everyday sounds around you.
The AirPods Pro 2 still has the clearest transparency, the Sonys have great transparency too that feels natural despite the occlusive properties of the foam tips, whereas the Technics AZ100 is the least transparency. It’s usable, and you can have verbal exchanges thanks to this 1.5khz spike, but you do get more muffling of everyday noises and voices.
Sound Quality
The QC Ultra Gen 2 has the most V-shaped tuning. Even compared to the Gen 1, its bass, upper mids and highs are more emphasized. It’s also a more focused sound, and at the same time, retaining much of its laid back and smooth signature. So I wouldn’t classify it as sounding exhilarating or impactful, words that I use to describe the Sony and Technics. It’s just a chill, laid back, non-fatiguing sound.
But how does it compare to the rest in terms of sound quality, and which one should you buy? Read on.
👉 Have a listen to the sound quality samples
Buy Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 or Gen 1?
So should you buy the QC Ultra Gen 2 or Gen 1? Definitely the Gen 2. The improvements are small but meaningful, such as the vastly improved call quality, ActiveSense, the wireless charging, and the ability to disable touch controls.
Also the little buzzing sound in the left bud that some people are complaining about in Gen 1 is a lot softer in Gen 2, barely noticeable in silence, and barely noticeable when there’s something playing or you’re not in a quiet place. Otherwise, they’re largely identical in terms of sound quality, features and settings, even the graphic EQ still has 3 bands only.
Buy Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 or Bose QCE 2024?
Comparing the Gen 2 QC Ultra to the Bose QCE 2024, the QCE has a flatter sound signature with more midrange emphasis, not as pronounced in the bass and highs so you don’t get the Ultra’s visceral bass or airy soundstage, but it still sounds great, and is a lot more customizable.
Its EQ settings are more granular, it’s got more custom options and features, active noise canceling can be turned off entirely if you want to save battery, and you can also activate pairing mode without needing to use the case, unlike the QC Ultra Gen 2. It’s also much cheaper than the Ultra which makes them very compelling. That being said, I prefer the QC Ultra Gen 2 for several reasons.
It’s got tap and swipe controls so it’s possible to control both playback and volume even if you’re just using one earbud, it has spatial audio with head tracking, they support aptX Adaptive so if you’re using a compatible device, the bluetooth stream can be lower latency or better quality, and it’s possible to finetune exactly how much noise canceling or transparency you want.
They feel better in my hands because of the better build quality, and in my ears because the shape of the buds feel more ergonomic. So although they’re more expensive, depending on requirements, the QC Ultra can feel more compelling than the QCE.
Buy Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 or Technics AZ100?
Comparing the Gen 2 QC Ultra to the Technics AZ100, the Technics is more suitable for really critical listening, and it’s not only because it’s equipped with LDAC which is a common Hi-Res codec, to my ears, they sound better than the Bose even without using LDAC.
Bass is more visceral, textured and tighter, there’s more mids separation and crispness, and there’s even a degree of depth and layering. It’s a more sculpted sound and these factors all adds up to more realism, whereas what the Bose delivers is a less non-fatiguing and relaxed sound signature. The Technics is also more customizable. You can optimize your call quality, the bluetooth connection, and the EQ settings are more granular. All that in a smaller, more portable form factor, which is why I’ve been daily driving the Technics.
The main reason to get the Bose is definitely its noise canceling performance. If you crave silence, the Bose does it far better than the AZ100. You also get better user experience when using just one earbud because all the controls are there, from volume to playback to ambient controls. And if you’re working out, the stability fins will keep them in place better.
Buy Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 or Sony WF-1000XM5?
Comparing the Gen 2 QC Ultra to the Sony WF-1000XM5 on their default settings, the Sony’s bass is more impactful, vocals and instruments sound closer and more visceral, but it doesn’t have as much spaciousness or air in the soundstage as the Bose. By comparison, the Bose has a more laid back and relaxed sound which can be enjoyed for hours and hours. If you like that, great, because there are more reasons to pick the Bose over the Sony.
Its noise canceling is more powerful, mic quality is better, it also fits more gently using silicone tips instead of foam tips that need to be stuffed into the ear canals, and the Bose’s controls are also better, allowing you to access all the controls like volume, playback and ambient controls even if you’re just using one earbud. On the Sonys, you don’t get all the controls unless you use both earbuds.
And finally, the Bose’s Immersive Mode spatial audio and head tracking works on any device and content, not the Sony’s which is restricted to certain Android devices, apps and content. Those are reasons to pick the Bose, but you should choose the XM5 if you’re an audiophile because it’s got settings that are more audiophile-oriented like LDAC Hi-Res support, DSEE upscaling, as well as tons of EQ presets and a 6 band graphic EQ. The XM5 is also much more feature rich, for example, it’s got automatic ambient switching based on your location and actions, and things like Speak to Chat and LE Audio support for lower latency.
This is while being a much smaller, more portable package. I like both but it depends on my mood. If I want better noise canceling I’ll go Bose, but for more enjoyable sound, audiophile features and better portability, go for the Sony.
Buy Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 or Airpods Pro Gen 2?
Comparing the Gen 2 QC Ultra to the AirPods Pro 2, I prefer the Bose’s sound. The AirPods sound crisper, but it also sounds much thinner than the Bose which makes it sound less exciting or impactful. If you’re looking for deeper, richer bass and vocals, I’ll recommend the Bose over the AirPods anytime.
But if it’s a more clinical, crisp and airy sound you want, go for the AirPods. Now, the AirPods Pro 2 is also the better option if you have everything Apple because of all the Apple exclusive features, like conversation awareness and seamless switching.
And if you are prone to losing things, it’s integrated into Apple’s Find My, which not only lets you ring the earbuds, it lets you ring the case too! Its spatial audio is also better, because when I’m watching Dolby Atmos content, the discrete channels are more localizable. And finally, the AirPods still are the tiniest earbud package available, like Princess Peach compared to the Bowser that is the Bose. 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 any firmware updates. The QC Ultras also fits more securely, so it’s less likely to slip out and lose noise canceling power or bass which happens a lot on the AirPods Pro 2.
Check latest price:
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 - Link TBA
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds - https://amzn.to/49TSg9K
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) - https://amzn.to/3zuKirs
Technics EAH-AZ100 - https://amzn.to/4hcKrQD
Sony WF-1000XM5 - https://amzn.to/3JGI1uN
AirPods Pro 2 USB-C - https://amzn.to/3UoeJG8
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