Bose has launched three new products, an ambitious move that points to a smarter future for the company as new devices are likely to reach the market faster.
Products announced today include the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for $429, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for $299, and the QuietComfort Earbuds for $349.
Each product will replace another in Bose's current lineup, and the company has made it clear that it's ready to make significant improvements and doesn't want to wait.
As the name suggests, Bose takes a brand name that consumers know and drops other product names that don't resonate. It's also about spatial audio, but the company calls its version immersive audio.
Bose's approach has nothing to do with Dolby Atmos, as the company uses its audio processing to customize the stereo track and there's optional head tracking.
QuietComfort Ultra headphones and earbuds feature an inertial measurement unit sensor that detects your head movements when Steady Mode is activated for immersive sound, while Sport Mode keeps the earbuds on the road. This feature is not available in QuietComfort headphones.
The QuietComfort Ultra headphones cost $429 and will be available in early October. It replaces the Headphones 700 noise-canceling headphones, and the design combines the sides of the Headphones 700 with the QuietComfort range and can be folded for easy storage.
It offers 24 hours of continuous battery life on a single charge, and if you're constantly using immersive audio, that number drops to 18 hours.
In addition to the usual multi-function power and Bluetooth buttons, Bose has added a volume control. There's still no support for USB-C wired audio, but the QuietComfort Ultra earbuds retain the company's standard 2.5mm jack.
The QuietComfort Ultra headphones, priced at $299 and available in early October, replace the QuietComfort II headphones and provide improved voice call quality, especially for the person you're talking to on the other side, and allow for a smoother call connection. They are under ideal conditions. .
Audio fidelity has also been improved with support for Bose's Snapdragon Sound technology, allowing Android listeners to stream audio at higher bitrates using the AptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec instead of other AAC or SBC codecs.
Bose also sells an optional wireless charging case compatible with the QC Earbuds II for $49. Speaking of battery, the immersive sound lasts for six hours when it's off and four hours when it's on.
The $349 QuietComfort earbuds, which will be available in late September and replace the QuietComfort 45 earbuds, feature adjustable noise cancellation levels and custom modes, support multipoint pairing, and offer up to 24 hours of battery life.