The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the most thoughtfully personalised pair of ANC headphones on the market. CustomTune uses the built-in microphones to measure your specific ear canal shape on first wear and calibrates both the ANC filter and the sound tuning to your anatomy — a feature that Bose calls “personalised” in their marketing and that genuinely delivers different (and measurably better) results for different listeners. In A/B testing against the XM6, the Bose sounds more spatially accurate while the Sony reaches a quieter floor.
Bose Immersive Audio delivers a convincing stereo widening effect that works especially well for binaural recordings and spatial audio tracks. It’s not a substitute for real spatial audio rendering, but it transforms compressed pop mixes into something that feels more expansive. The 24-hour battery with ANC enabled is shorter than Sony’s, but the build quality — padded headband, protein leather memory foam ear cushions, and a metal hinge — justifies the premium feel at this price.
The app gives access to eleven levels of ANC and Transparency mode independently adjustable, a shortcut button fully customisable, and Aware mode that adds wind noise reduction. Multipoint pairing works with two devices simultaneously, and the handoff between laptop and phone as you move between them is the most reliable of any pairing we’ve tested.
| Driver | Full-range driver with Bose custom acoustics (undisclosed size) |
|---|---|
| ANC | CustomTune personalised ANC + EQ, 11 adjustable levels |
| Codec | AAC, SBC; aptX not supported; multipoint (2 devices) |
| Battery | 24 hrs (ANC on); 15 min → 2.5 hrs quick charge |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 LE, 2.5mm to 3.5mm analogue cable included |
| Weight | 8.85 oz (250 g) |
| Spatial Audio | Bose Immersive Audio — head-tracking personalised stereo widening |
| Controls | Buttons (volume, play/pause, ANC, shortcut), no touch sensor |
| In the box | QC Ultra Headphones, carrying case, 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable, USB-C cable |
Tom Bradley –
Excellent headphones. I prefer the Bose sound signature to Sony — more neutral, more spatially accurate. Immersive Audio mode adds an obvious sense of space that works especially well on acoustic and jazz recordings. The 24-hour battery is the only comparative weakness versus Sony’s 30 hours.
Sophie Laurent –
The CustomTune personalised ANC is noticeably different in practice from what I expected. When I first put them on, there was an audible “click” as the profile calibrated, and immediately the background noise floor dropped lower than I’d heard from any headphone. Comfortable for 6+ hour sessions during overseas flights with no ear fatigue.