And when I took the time to listen to them and let them explain some of the new tech (it wasn’t that long to be fair) these #Bose’s competed and were the best will compete fiercely with alternatives to. Unlike the original QuietComfort Earbuds (which are bigger and heavier than anyone else), the new QC Earbuds II are an overall more convenient size. They have a small handle like the Apple AirPods, but they’re comfortable thanks to ample eartip and stabilizing fin options. It weighs 6g per earbud, conveniently lighter than before.
For an all-around package, we highly recommend the QuietComfort Earbuds II. It’s a bold brand to choose to launch a product at the same time that Apple is dazzling the world’s tech journalists with its latest tiny smartphone upgrade, but Bose isn’t shy. So the company used the New York Fashion Show as a stepping stone today to launch its latest line of true wireless in-ear headphones. Apple seems to be able to do it.
The price has been confirmed at £279 / $299 / AUD $429. This means the QuietComfort Earbuds II are priced at the heart of premium true wireless action.
Highlights
-
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Black
The earbuds tailor both their audio output and noise-cancelling properties to the wearer’s specific ear canals by emitting a tone that plays every time they are taken out of the charging case and placed in the ear. Bose calls it CustomTune. Battery life is 6 hours for the earbuds and 3 full charges in the (very compact) charging case. Charging is via USB-C, and 20 minutes of plugging in should be enough for a few more hours of playback. -
The build quality is everything you’d expect from Bose. The QuietComfort Earbuds II were yours at launch with a triple black finish, followed at some point by a soapstone alternative. Bose uses Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity and is compatible with SBC and AAC codecs. Bose’s involvement with his Qualcomm may have ignited hopes for Snapdragon Sound compatibility, but that wasn’t the case at launch. Sound is provided by a pair of 9.3mm dynamic drivers. Bose never likes to state frequency response, but I would be very surprised if the actual frequency response is less than full range.
Of course, our full review follows after spending quite a bit of time on the QuietComfort Earbuds II and listening long and intently against their most obvious competitors but these Bose have everything they need to compete It didn’t take me long to notice.