Why We Care
Since we’re still working on the perfect battle station for VFX artists, let’s address a practical issue: our rigs are loud. Between GPUs at full throttle, office HVAC, and the occasional colleague that sounds like it’s digesting lunch a bit too aggressively, silence has value. Recently we were asked: What’s the best b noise-cancelling headphone when your are working on a show at (Redacted, but known to the editorial team, and that is a NOSIY studio!)
So we tested. Yes, dear readers, we do what you tell us to do. Don’t make it weird! Some units we borrowed, others we tried in stores, and we came to a conclusion: if you want decent sound plus world-class noise cancellation, the winner right now is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).
Daily Use & Features
Bose QuietComfort Ultra buds aren’t flashy, but they’re practical. The case now supports Qi wireless charging, handy if you already keep a pad on your desk. Battery life: 6 hours with ANC, 4 if you use Immersive Audio, plus three extra charges in the case. In practice, even long crunchtime days won’t kill them.
Fit is good, even in smaller ears. They seal securely, survive a run (Well, ifyou know the editorial team: an enthusiastic waddle), and weigh less than they look. Controls are capacitive: taps for playback, swipes for volume. We found them sometimes a bit fussy, it’s too easy to pause music when all you wanted was to reseat a bud. You can disable controls in the app, but then you’re stuck managing everything from your phone. In practice, after a week or so you know how to approach them, but it is a slight bump.
Audio quality is also impressive. For music consumption, they deliver full, engaging playback with plenty of bass and clarity. For studio use, editing, or mix work, we still reach for our big Beyerdynamic DT-990 over-ears, but that’s an entirely different category, and not a fair comparison. These are travel and everyday companions, not reference monitors, and in that role they excel.
Noise Cancelling: Kindergarten-Proof
Noise cancelling is where they earn their name. Bose’s eight-mic system cuts nearly everything: HVAC drones, public transport rattles, and in our newsroom case, the daily marathon of howling, screaming and tantrums from the kindergarten next door. Even at full scream, the kids didn’t get through. That’s a real-world test passed with flying colors. And the editorial cat switched to biting our legs, because loud meowing did not work anymore.
Transparency mode (“Aware”) is good, if sometimes slightly hiss-prone. Profiles in the Bose app are useful: we set up three: “Maximum Silence” (flat EQ, max ANC), “Normal Office” (moderate suppression), and “Commute. (Passthrough, listening to a podcast, and not missing your exit)” Switching between them makes sense. The “Immersive Audio” we did test, but for that, you have to ask Martin if it is any good – we were on the subaway!
Sound & Codecs
Sound quality is robust. Sub-bass hits without drowning detail, mids are recessed but clear enough, and highs have sparkle. It’s a slightly V-shaped tuning that works for long hours without fatigue. Codec support: AAC, SBC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless over Bluetooth 5.3.
Our Test Caveats
- Bluetooth multipoint confusion: With a Windows 11 workstation on an external Bluetooth dongle, a phone, and a laptop all active, the buds sometimes didn’t know which device to serve. Annoying in a multitasking pipeline.
- Microphones: Good enough for a phone call. For video meetings or webinars, use a proper external mic. These won’t flatter your voice, though in a pinch they’ll work.
- Case: Larger than Apple’s or Sony’s, and the buds sit deep, making extraction something to get used to. but they don’t fall out, so that is a plus.
Verdict
They’re not the cheapest at €274, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen feel built to last. For artists, editors, or anyone sharing space with screaming kids or over-excited GPUs, these are the noise-cancelling earplugs to get.
