Bose unveils QuietComfort Headphones 2nd Gen at $359

Bose announced the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) on August 6. They cost $359, the same price as the first generation, and preorders open August 8 on Bose's website and other sellers ahead of a wide release on August 13.

The new model has oval-shaped earcups that Bose says improve passive noise cancellation without sacrificing comfortable wear. The headband is more plush, the sliders are easier to adjust, and the button placement is more intuitive than on the first generation. Bose added three limited-edition two-toned colorways: eucalyptus green, dewdrop mint, and rosewood mauve, alongside black and white smoke. The headphones weigh 0.5 pounds.

Bose brings its TrueSpatial technology to the standard QuietComfort line for the first time, with Immersive Audio modes called Still, Motion, and Cinema. The headphones also support lossless playback through a USB-C cable at up to 24-bit/48kHz while charging, and include a three-band custom equalizer, Bluetooth 5.4, and multipoint connectivity.

For noise cancellation, Bose calls the updated system QuietControl. A six-microphone array and adaptive controls are designed to close gaps that allowed all-day comfort. In Aware Mode, an ActiveSense response engages some noise cancellation to reduce the impact of sudden loud spikes. Mashable's Samantha Mangino previously noted that the original QuietComfort headphones could distort on sudden loud sounds like a train arriving at a platform; Bose says the new tech addresses that issue.

Battery life is 24 hours per charge, or 18 hours with Immersive Audio enabled. A 15-minute quick charge provides 2.5 hours of playback.

Rolling Stone included the QuietComfort (Gen 2) in its list of the best noise-canceling headphones. The publication's reviewer wrote that the headphones' "excellent noise canceling and comfort make up for" their lack of refinement compared with the flagship QuietComfort Ultra, but listed missing wear detection, a less premium feel, and mediocre battery life as drawbacks. The headphones ship with a hard carrying case and USB-C to 3.5mm and USB-C to USB-C cables that match the color, and they drop the older 2.5mm headphone jack. The guide also notes customizable noise-canceling modes in the app.

At $359, the QuietComfort (2nd Gen) undercuts Bose's QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) at $449. Mashable reports that the first-generation QuietComfort headphones are often found on sale for under $300.