Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd gen) review: Upgraded in all the right places

Ultra-level features and a few design tweaks highlight the updates.

When I think about Bose headphones, the iconic QuietComfort line immediately comes to mind. No, not the more recent Ultra version with all of today's bells and whistles. I'm talking about the business-traveler-chic models that popularized active noise cancellation (ANC). They were never going to win any design contests, but you could rely on them to give you some relief on a flight while also offering decent audio quality.

The company rebranded these to the QuietComfort Headphones a few years back , and now Bose returns with the second-generation version. This time, there are some modest design changes, although the understated look is still intact. What's more, the second-gen QC Headphones borrow features from the pricier QuietComfort Ultra Headphones which enhance both audio and ANC overall.

While this new version undoubtedly fits the aesthetic of the regular QuietComfort line, Bose made two notable design changes. First, there's an updated headband that slides smoothly to adjust. Next, the company refined the shape of the earcups while installing improved ear pads for better cushioning. In a third change, a decidedly less exciting one, Bose relocated the power/Bluetooth pairing switch from the outside of the right ear cup to the bottom edge of the left ear cup. This doesn't really impact the experience, but it does give the headphones a cleaner look on both sides.

In terms of features, Bose brought Immersive Audio to the regular QuietComfort Headphones for the first time. This is the company's take on spatial audio that doesn't rely on specially created content. Instead, the tool upscales any movies, shows or music as needed for enhanced listening. Before now, Immersive Audio was exclusive to the Ultra line of QuietComfort Headphones. Plus, Bose's Cinema Mode, which enhances dialogue without constraining the wide soundstage of Immersive Audio, is on the second-gen QC Headphones too.

The company's CustomTune feature is also a new addition, a tool that calibrates audio and noise cancellation to the acoustic properties of your ears. It's like room calibration for a soundbar, but for your headphones. And if you're into lossless audio, you can listen with a cable over USB-C at up to 24-bit/48kHz. What's more, the headphones can be charged while you're using them with a cable. If you'll recall, the previous QuietComfort Headphones still had a 3.5mm port for wired use. Bose ditched that on this new version as the only wired connectivity is over USB-C — for both charging and listening. For in-flight entertainment systems, there's a USB-C to 3.5mm cable in the box, or you could opt for a $30 accessory like the AirFly for wireless use.

The company also improved ANC performance on this new model with the addition of ActiveSense. This feature automatically applies noise cancellation when the headphones detect sudden spikes of noise if you're using Aware (transparency) mode. Bose says ActiveSense now responds more naturally to those brief periods of disruption before returning to ambient sound mode. The company also explains that the ANC system on the second-gen QC Headphones can better compensate for changes in the ear cup seal due to glasses. And last but not least, you can disable ANC entirely in the Bose app this time around.

I'll get to audio and ANC performance in a minute, but I must first applaud Bose for refining the QC Headphones without raising the price. This second-gen version costs $359, same as the previous installment did when it debuted. At a time where almost everything is more expensive, I'd expect any headphone company to raise prices on new models by at least $50, but that didn't happen here. Plus, this price tag gives Bose fans a compelling alternative to the $449 second-gen QuietComfort Ultra headphones that costs significantly less.