Bose QuietComfort Headphones Get Immersive Audio and USB-C Lossless for $359
Bose has replaced its mid-tier noise cancelling headphones with the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), the first refresh of the non-Ultra model in roughly three years. It costs $359 in the United States and £299.95 in the United Kingdom, and the headline change is that Bose's spatial audio and its wired lossless USB-C mode are no longer reserved for the pricier Ultra.
Preorders open on 8 August, with shipping from 13 August. Five finishes are listed: Black, White Smoke, Eucalyptus Green, Dewdrop Mint and Rosewood Mauve, the last two sold as limited colour drops.
Sorting out the spatial audio naming
Coverage of this launch has used two different names for the same thing, so it is worth untangling. Bose's own listing calls the feature Immersive Audio, describes TrueSpatial as the underlying technology that powers it, and labels the listening mode itself Immersion. Earlier leaks led with the TrueSpatial name, which is why both terms are circulating.
Whatever it is called, this is the feature that previously separated the QuietComfort range from the QuietComfort Ultra. It uses motion sensors so the sound stays anchored in place when you turn your head, rather than moving with the headphones.
A second mode arrives with it. Cinema Mode is tuned for video rather than music, pushing dialogue forward so speech is easier to follow. In total the headphones now offer Quiet, Aware, Immersion and Cinema modes, plus the option to switch noise cancellation off entirely.
Wired lossless, and a USB-C port that works both ways
The USB-C port is no longer just for charging. Wired over USB-C, the headphones accept lossless input up to 24-bit/48 kHz, and the connection carries audio in both directions, so the microphones stay available for video calls over the same cable. You can also listen while the headphones charge.
One practical note: Bose lists a 39-inch USB-C to USB-C cable and a carry case in the box, but no mains charger.
Noise cancellation aimed at glasses wearers
Noise cancellation now runs on six microphones and a revised algorithm that Bose says reacts more naturally to sudden bursts of noise instead of clamping down abruptly. The more specific claim is about fit: the system is designed to compensate for small gaps in the ear cup seal, the problem anyone who wears glasses under headphones will recognise.
The hardware changed to suit that. The ear cups are now oval rather than round, the headband has been reshaped with more padding, and the protein leather ear cushions are removable.
The specs, briefly
- Battery — up to 24 hours with noise cancelling on, dropping to 18 hours with Immersive Audio enabled
- Quick charge — 15 minutes for roughly 2.5 hours of playback
- Bluetooth — 5.4, with a 30-foot range and multipoint pairing to two devices
- Wired audio — USB-C, lossless up to 24-bit/48 kHz
- Microphones — six, used for both calls and noise cancellation
- Weight — listed at about 0.507 lb
Where this sits against the Ultra
This is the point most likely to confuse buyers, because Bose refreshed the Ultra headphones separately in October 2025 at $449, and both products now carry a "2nd Gen" label. The gap between them has narrowed considerably: spatial audio, Cinema Mode and USB-C lossless were the Ultra's differentiators and now appear on the cheaper model too, leaving materials, tuning and the Ultra's higher-end finish to justify the difference.
If you are shopping in this bracket, it is also worth watching the older first-generation QuietComfort headphones, which have been discounted heavily as stock clears.
Worth checking before you preorder
Prices above are the figures Bose lists for the US and UK; other markets have not all been published, so check your local Bose storefront rather than assuming a straight conversion. If you already own Bluetooth headphones you are replacing, it is worth tidying up the old pairing records too — Android now lets you remove stale Bluetooth headphones from Find Hub. And at the cheaper end of the market, the CMF Clip Pro brings LDAC to open-ear earbuds for $99.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) cost?
Bose lists them at $359 in the United States and £299.95 in the United Kingdom. Preorders open on 8 August and shipping begins on 13 August. Pricing for other markets has not been fully published, so check your local Bose storefront.
What is the difference between TrueSpatial and Immersive Audio?
They refer to the same capability. Bose uses Immersive Audio as the feature name and TrueSpatial as the underlying technology behind it, while the listening mode itself is labelled Immersion. Early leaks used the TrueSpatial name, which is why both terms appear in coverage.
How long does the battery last?
Bose quotes up to 24 hours with noise cancelling active, falling to 18 hours if you use Immersive Audio. A 15-minute quick charge is rated for roughly 2.5 hours of playback. A USB-C cable is included but a mains charger is not.
Do they support lossless audio?
Yes, but only over a wired USB-C connection, which accepts lossless input up to 24-bit/48 kHz. The port also carries audio in both directions, so the microphones remain usable for video calls, and you can listen while charging.
Should I buy these or the QuietComfort Ultra?
The gap has narrowed. Spatial audio, Cinema Mode and USB-C lossless used to be Ultra exclusives and now appear on the $359 model, so the Ultra's $449 price mainly buys higher-end materials and finish. The Ultra was itself refreshed separately in October 2025, and both now carry a 2nd Gen label.
