With its new QuietComfort Earbuds 2, Bose is aiming for nothing less than the title of the best Bluetooth headphones with active noise reduction (RBA) on the market. Facing the Sony WF-1000XM4 which are a benchmark in terms of RBA, the QC Earbuds 2 feature a redesigned design that is much less bulky than the previous model and more comfortable, excellent sound and improved performance in terms of voice calls as well as an active noise reduction that can already be described as exemplary. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are available in black or white for €299.95.
Design: a welcome slimming treatment
The headphones are around 30% smaller than their predecessors, which represents a very significant reduction in bulk. The case is also 40% smaller than the previous one and fits much more easily in a pocket. This work on the design is really welcome because the first QuietComfort Earbuds, as excellent as they were on the audio side, were really imposing.
On the left, the first generation QuietComfort Earbuds were much bulkier and more prominent.
The other big change concerns the tips. Bose has ditched its one-piece StayEar system for Fit Kit, a two-piece device, with separate ear tips and "stability bands" in three different sizes. The idea is to allow more flexibility to help find the most secure and airtight fit. The headphones slip easily into the ear with a quick quarter turn. They hold well in place and do not cause any particular discomfort, even with prolonged use. The impeccable manufacturing quality contributes to this feeling of comfort.
Noise reduction: in my bubble
Bose says it has refined its active noise reduction technology to more finely target mid- and high-frequency frequencies that were previously difficult to attenuate, such as the voices of people nearby, shouting, or other forms of everyday noise. The result is truly impressive. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 manage to create a real bubble which stops most parasitic noise and through which the few sounds that still pass through are really faint.
At the start of our test, this powerful sound insulation even disturbed us when we walked in the street among the crowd, giving us the impression of moving outside of reality such was the difference between the ambient animation and what we perceived of it. was big. Listening to music or watching a video in these conditions is a real treat. You can also use the headphones with the RBA alone to isolate yourself and work in peace. The noise attenuation is very effective, but you can hear a slight hiss.
The transparency mode has also been improved with a more natural and realistic rendering. But here too a small breath effect is perceptible. Apple AirPods Pro still remain a cut above in this area.
Listening
Regarding audio quality, the progress compared to QuietComfort Earbuds is less marked than for noise reduction. The first generation offered a convincing sound that was versatile enough to satisfy the greatest number of people and provide pleasant listening with most musical genres. Advantages found on the Earbuds II.
Like other brands, Bose has developed a new CustomTune sound calibration system which aims to optimize noise cancellation and audio quality according to each user. Each time the headphones are placed, a specific sound is played and a microphone measures the acoustic response of the ear canal. This takes about half a second. A Jabra system that we find particularly effective.
Bose assures that its CustomTune system provides more “ nuances, clarity, depth ”. We actually perceive a little more precision in the bass (deep and accurate) and in terms of the separation of the instruments. But the qualitative leap is not obvious. The fact remains that the audio performance of these new Bose headphones ranks them among the benchmarks in their category alongside models from Sony, Sennheiser and Bang&Olufsen. Good news for fans of personalized settings, the Bose Music application now offers a three-band equalizer that allows you to adjust bass, midrange and treble.
On the other hand, if there is one area where the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are clearly superior to their predecessors, it is hands-free mode. Indeed, the performance of voice calls was a weak point of the QuietComfort Earbuds and Bose has really corrected the situation. Voice pickup is much better thanks to the four microphones in each earbud, including two beamforming and more effective noise reduction. A good point for anyone who plans to use these headphones for teleworking.
As for latency, it is slightly noticeable on video games but not in an annoying way. For video streaming, the automatic compensation present on most platforms erases any lag.
Autonomy and features
The battery life of the QC Earbuds 2 is the same as that of the Earbuds 1, namely six hours with noise reduction activated. This falls short of the most durable headphones in their class, like the WF-1000XM4 and Pixel Buds Pro .
The case, which recharges via USB-C, provides three additional charges. It takes one hour to recharge the headphones and three hours for the case. The wireless charging present on the first QC Earbuds has disappeared, which is not really prohibitive. Like their predecessors, the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are splash-proof (IPX4).
Touch controls, which lacked versatility, are now much more comprehensive. You can control the volume with a swipe on the right (+) and left (-) earbud, pause by tapping (left or right), skip to the next song by double tapping (left or right), go back to the previous title by tapping three times (left or right). A long press allows you to switch between RBA and transparency mode or activate a voice assistant.
The QC Earbuds 2 are Bluetooth 5.3 compatible and support AAC and SBC audio codecs. The lack of multipoint connection is quite regrettable both from a practical point of view and from the asking price. However, the presence of a Qualcomm Series 5 audio processor (which manages multipoint), leaves the possibility that this functionality (as well as aptX compatibility) will be added later. Note that it is possible to use only one earphone.
Against competition
With the QC Earbuds 2, Bose had its sights set on the Sony WF-1000XM4 and hit the mark. The Bose have excellent noise reduction, hands-free calling quality and comfort that exceed the Sony. The latter, however, are better placed for those looking for long battery life, just like the Pixel Buds Pro
Conclusion
The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are excellent headphones and manage to rise to the level of the best models on the market. Audio quality, noise reduction, comfort, hands-free calls, they perform almost flawlessly and amply justify their high price.
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