Discover our Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review, covering noise cancellation, sound quality, comfort, battery life, and whether they’re worth buying.
Table of Contents
I have tested the Bose QC HP Gen 2 wireless headphones that stand out for their comfort and noise cancellation.
I have tested for two weeks the Bose QC HP Gen2, the latest wireless headphones from the brand that seeks to establish its position in the headband/helmet sector. Specifically, this generation evolves with respect to the first in sound quality and coexists with the Bose QC Ultra HP Gen2, staying one step behind. So, what audience is it aimed at? On paper, someone who does not want to pay more than $359.00 that the superior model is worth but who is looking for the quality offered by the Bose brand. These headphones (like the others with the QuietComfort nomenclature) have noise cancellation as one of their main pillars. In addition, the main novelty is a system designed to prevent insulation leaks for users who wear glasses or have long hair.
In the end, this new generation offers a proposal designed to improve what was already well done, preserve the comfort that characterises the QuietComfort family and offer active noise cancellation capable of turning public transport, a busy office or an aeroplane into much more pleasant (and quiet) spaces.
I tell you everything you need to know about the Bose QC HP Gen2 in this in-depth review.
Design: Bose-style design with a detail to improve
The 2nd generation Bose QuietComfort headphones maintain an aesthetic almost identical to the family they belong to, although they incorporate changes at the manufacturing level. This time, the headphones have a more oval shape, so they do not end up 100% accommodating the ear of someone with a large head – which the Ultra version does. Of course, the headband is still just as smooth when sliding it despite being more robust.
On the sides you can find physical buttons for Bluetooth and volume, as well as other functionalities.
The model you see in the images is beige, but you can also find it in black, pink, purple, turquoise, green and brown. They are mainly made of plastic, but this has an important advantage: the weight is 230 grams, a figure that helps reduce fatigue during prolonged listening sessions.
They are not certified for dust or water resistance, so I would not recommend using them for sports or walking in the rain.
As for its case, although it is an adequate size and the material is resistant enough so that it does not suffer scratches in case of falling to the ground, its color should be in tune with that of the headphones. In my case, as you can see, they are whitish-beige, while it is black, something that caught my attention as soon as I opened it. I’m sure there are those who think that this is better because in dark tones they suffer fewer blemishes, but personally I think it’s a detail to improve.
Top sound quality, key to the Bose brand
These headphones offer top sound quality, with warm reproduction, with bass present and mids clear enough for the voices to maintain their prominence. It is a versatile combination for listening to music of different genres, from pop and electronic to rap, podcasts, soundtracks or movies and series.
Bass adds body without the need for high volumes, while mid-frequencies help keep vocals and instruments front and centre. The treble, on the other hand, is soft, which means that it doesn’t bother you on long listens.
All this can be customised to your liking with the company’s app, which includes an equaliser to adjust bass, midrange and bass. The great novelty of this generation is that it arrives with immersive audio in motion or fixed (so it can be in front or moving plane). Related to this, there are different listening modes that you can configure, such as Alert (which allows you to listen to the surroundings without taking off your headphones, for example, to walk down the street but listen to what is around you and that you do not have an accident in case a garbage truck passes by) or Cinema (for your sessions when watching movies in which more importance is given to the dialogues of the scene than to the other sounds on the front).
The usefulness of these modes will depend on the content and personal preferences of each person. They can bring a fuller feel if you want, although I understand that not everyone is going to prefer added audio processing over traditional stereo. In any case, the key here is that there is a possibility and you have a choice.
- MODERN, UPDATED DESIGN: A sleek, streamlined take on the original noise cancelling headphones. All-new pill-shaped earcu…
- COMFORTABLE FIT: The new headband is wider than the previous gen, and adds more of the supple, synthetic leather found o…
- IMPROVED AUDIO PERFORMANCE: The addition of Bose TrueSpatial Technology gives listeners a more natural, immersive experi…
Noise cancellation at the highest level is the great reason to choose them over the competition
If there is one section in which the 2nd generation Bose QuietComfort Headphones stand out, it is noise cancellation. The brand has built a good part of its reputation on this technology, and the second generation maintains that approach with the QuietControl system.
The goal is to reduce sounds in the environment so that music, podcasts, or calls are enjoyed with fewer distractions. Constant noises, such as the engine of a bus or the rattle of the subway, are precisely the type of sound against which this technology is most useful.
Personally, I’ve found quiet mode very useful in noisy environments where I needed to focus, such as at work, where there’s the classic office noise/murmur that sometimes doesn’t allow you to focus on the more mental work.
Lossless audio thanks to USB-C and 24-hour battery life
The autonomy of the 2nd generation Bose QuietComfort Headphones is one day with active noise cancellation, but if immersive audio is activated, that figure is reduced to 18 hours. I think these are enough figures to face two or three days of working days, as well as a long trip, without having to resort to the charger. Of course, a full charge takes 3 hours, while with a quick charge of 15 minutes you can solve about two and a half hours of continuous listening. In this sense, the Bose QC HP 2 gen delivers, but they do not stand out.
The headphones come with a Type-C to Type-C as well as a Jack to Type-C cable so you can charge them or use lossless audio. The wired connection supports lossless digital audio up to 24-bit and 48 kHz and allows the headphones to be used while charging. However, there is an important limitation: over Bluetooth they use the SBC and AAC codecs, without compatibility with higher-quality options such as aptX Adaptive. It’s a detail that may put off those looking to make the most of high-resolution audio files wirelessly.
Another interesting section is that they incorporate multipoint connection, so they can be connected via Bluetooth 5.4 to two devices at the same time. This has been quite practical for times when you have to alternate headphones between the computer and the mobile.
Are the 2nd-generation Bose QuietComfort headphones worth buying?
The answer, as always, depends. I recommend the Bose QC HP (2 gen) if you priorities comfort, noise cancellation and sound quality. The addition of immersive audio, as well as touch controls, will make it an option to consider if you’re looking for a headband headset.
However, if, in addition to all that, you prioritise autonomy and even more top audio and materials, you may prefer to opt for the Ultra version if you raise your budget a little.
Q1. What are the main features of the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)?
A1. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) offer active noise cancellation, immersive audio, customizable sound through an equalizer, Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint connectivity, and wired lossless audio support.
Q2. How good is the noise cancellation on the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)?
A2. Their noise cancellation is a major strength, helping reduce constant background sounds such as bus engines, subway noise, and office chatter.
Q3. How long does the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) battery last?
A3. The battery lasts up to 24 hours with active noise cancellation or 18 hours with immersive audio enabled. A 15 minute quick charge provides approximately 2.5 hours of listening.
