Bose QuietComfort Extremely (2nd Gen) assessment: These headphones give Sony a run for its cash

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How do you persuade your self to pay $400+ for a pair of headphones that look and function virtually identically to the earlier era? That is a query I hope to reply, and a query Bose hopes its newest flagship headphones will reply based mostly on their efficiency alone.

Additionally: I examined Sony and Bose’s greatest headphones for months – how my shopping for recommendation has modified in 2026

I spent months now working, touring, and lounging within the QuietComfort Extremely Headphones (Gen 2), which I am going to confer with because the QC Extremely 2, looking for how Bose spent two years making them extra “ultra” than their predecessor. With out main upgrades to design, speaker drivers, or noise cancellation efficiency, I am going to must dig deep.

It is simple to place the Sony WH-1000XM6 as QC Extremely 2’s direct competitor, however I’m wondering: are the QC Extremely 2 competing with their predecessors as a lot as they’re with different manufacturers? Let’s discover out.

Similar look, smarter particulars

The QC Extremely 2’s defining theme is that they do not try to rewrite Bose’s legacy; fairly, they refine it. They give the impression of being similar to the primary era, apart from the yokes, which swap a matte aluminum end for a shiny, polished metallic end. 

The QC Extremely 2’s earcups are barely shallower than these of their predecessor, which may trigger match points for individuals with bigger heads and ears. In any other case, the look, really feel, and match of the QC Extremely 2 do not deliver notable modifications, which is not essentially a nasty factor — if it ain’t broke, do not repair it.

Extra vital upgrades lie within the smaller particulars, together with USB-C audio assist, out there at as much as 16-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz. Thus, the QC Extremely 2 are higher fitted to gaming or extra devoted listening than the primary era. In contrast to the Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max, the QC Extremely 2 retain their 3.5mm headphone jack, which is nice information for frequent flyers. And in contrast to the Sony XM6, which don’t assist USB-C audio, you possibly can pay attention by the QC Extremely 2’s USB-C port, even whereas charging them.

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Though USB-C audio assist in 2025 feels extra like an expectation than a brand new function to have fun, it rounds out the QC Extremely 2’s audio capabilities.

Magnificence is within the ears of the beholder

The QC Extremely 2 have a terrific sound profile in case you like an exaggerated bass response, barely decreased mids, and louder treble. It lends itself nicely to reproducing basslines and front-and-center vocals in pop tracks, corresponding to One Route’s “Stockholm Syndrome,“ and ’90s rap, like Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear.” 

Additionally: I listened to Sony and Bose’s flagship earbuds in 2026 – and the winner got here all the way down to this

Conversely, the QC Extremely 2 aren’t as robust with layered, ambient post-rock like Ben Howard’s “Time Is Dancing.” Songs with extra delicate musical textures aren’t as simple to listen to, however reducing the bass helps. General, the QC Extremely 2’s tuning is hotter and extra spacious-sounding, delivering an prolonged, tighter bass response than the primary era. Their sound ought to be enjoyable for most individuals.

Bose continues on with its model of spatial audio, Immersive Audio, and introduces a brand new spatial tuning for podcasts, TV reveals, motion pictures, and different dialogue-heavy media. The function works — you possibly can hear your media increase round your head. Personally, I might fairly that Bose embrace Dolby Atmos assist as a substitute.

Nonetheless the ANC gold customary

Bose’s advertising conveys to me that noise cancellation is not considered a function of a pair of headphones — it is a way of life selection. Noise cancellation does not solely mute the world round you, however helps you create a personal listening house whenever you’re in public. 

Bose leans into this philosophy, as noise-canceling upgrades aren’t on the forefront of the headphones’ launch. Regardless of little fanfare round noise cancellation enhancements, the QC Extremely 2 are barely higher at canceling noise than their predecessor. Moreover, the QC Extremely 2’s ANC higher encompasses higher-pitched noises, corresponding to keyboard clicks, and lower-pitched noises, just like the rumble of an airplane engine, than the primary era.

When the headphones’ energetic noise cancellation (ANC) is engaged, even when no audio is enjoying, there’s nearly no noise flooring. That feat is extremely spectacular and on par with Sony’s WH-1000XM6. The distinction between Sony’s and Bose’s latest-gen ANC is negligible; you will have to seek out one other class that will help you choose one model over the opposite.

Additionally: I attempted Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds’ AI noise cancelling, and might’t return to common ANC

Bose additionally refined its AI-powered adaptive noise cancellation function, ActiveSense. This function maintains transparency mode and prompts noise cancellation when the setting turns into too loud. ActiveSense is my favourite function on the QC Extremely Earbuds 2, and it really works simply as nicely on the headphones. 

The perfect function is probably the most surprising

To me, the standout function of the QC Extremely 2 is their improved energy administration. Together with rising the battery life from 24 hours on the primary era to 30 hours on the second, Bose additionally rendered its product’s energy button out of date.

You should use the headphones’ energy button to show them on and off, but it surely’s not needed. As an alternative, you possibly can take the headphones off your head and lay them flat — earcups up or down — and so they’ll instantly disconnect out of your gadgets, disable Bluetooth, and start conserving energy. Merely put them again on and so they’re able to go.

Additionally: Bose simply did what Apple could not with the QuietComfort Extremely headphones – and I am bought

I really like this function as a result of energy buttons on headphones are the bane of my existence. Should you do not press the button lengthy sufficient, the headphones will not flip off, however in case you press it for too lengthy, they will enter pairing mode. It’s a must to time your lengthy press completely to get your headphones to cooperate.

Bose’s power-up was notably complicated and malfunctioning, inflicting the corporate to ship the first-gen QC Extremely’s solely firmware replace to handle the difficulty particularly. To me, not needing to make use of the facility button in any respect is a lifesaver.

A companion app completed proper

Many headphone manufacturers are notoriously identified for his or her lackluster companion apps. Glitchy options and boring person interfaces hold me away from them. Bose’s app is the perfect, providing a dependable, pleasurable, aesthetically pleasing, and easy-to-use expertise. 

The app highlights the QC Extremely 2’s improved customization options, providing customers the flexibility to show off the headphones’ contact management strip, considered one of my least favourite options from the first-gen QC Extremely. I’ve all the time believed that the contact strip’s bottom-right earcup placement is awkward, and its minimal actual property is ripe for unintentional management triggers. Now you can additionally utterly disable ANC, which was beforehand inconceivable with Bose’s headphones.

The one subject I’ve with Bose’s app is its restricted equalizer. As an alternative of permitting customers to regulate the headphones’ EQ by frequency bands, Bose solely gives will increase and reduces to normal bass, mids, and treble with out particular, granular, quantifiable measures.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The Bose QC Extremely 2 ship delicate upgrades to the headphones’ noise cancellation, design, sound profile, energy administration, and person customization. They are not a very thrilling second-generation launch that pulls headlines. As an alternative, Bose doubles down on what it does greatest, providing minor but significant refinements to handle its few blind spots.

If you have already got the first-gen QC Extremely, hold them till the wheels fall off, or watch for what Bose does subsequent, which could possibly be a bigger product overhaul. When you have the Bose NC700, QuietComfort 35, or 45, and so they’re on the finish of their street, the QC Extremely 2 could be a big improve for you.

Additionally: Are the Sonos Ace nonetheless value it in 2026? I’ve examined dozens of headphones, and it is a resounding sure

Briefly, between Sony and Bose, Bose delivers a extra trendy design, much less cheap-feeling plastic construct supplies, a extra relaxed match, and USB-C audio. Nonetheless, Bose’s sound profile closely leans towards heat and softened treble to account for robust ANC processing and long-term listening periods, notably when touring or working.

Sony’s sound profile can also be heat, however its equalizer permits extra personalization. The WH-1000XM6 have a tighter bass response, clearer mids, sharper treble, and a extra spacious soundstage. Its sound is extra analytical, however it might probably grow to be fatiguing after a number of hours of listening.