angelom
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2015
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I am starting this thread because --after my very long experience with bluetooth headphones and earphones-- my expectation of the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra (QCU) isn't very big, BUT I still have very much curiosity because I still think the QC35 is one very, very good product even after so many years of its release.
My present favourite headphone (for almost one year) is the very excellent T+A Solitaire T, a ANC headphone (releasing in November 2022) that is unique because the design by the T+A engineers is first for creating a very good closed-back wired headphone for audiophiles and then, after achieving this, they adding very special BT and ANC features that are unique in the world of BT and ANC earphones and headphones. This is a headphone that in BT ("High Quality") mode giving true audiophile sound that is surprisingly very, very close to the completely passive mode (meaning: wired and headphone switched off).
BUT the Solitaire T costing 1300 euros in Europe and $1600 USD in the USA and usually the customers with interest in this headphone paying a lot of attention too to wired performance, and sometimes possibly using an amp and maybe a DAC too. The QCU costing $430 in the USA and 500 euros in Europe ($532 USD!) and is a very different headphone for different type of customers, a headphone that, in my opinion, can easily comparing with very more expensive ANC headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins PX8, Apple's AirPods Max and maybe, in some aspects, to the even more expensive Focal Bathys.
I don't have a full review yet, but after 3 hours of listening and testing, I have some important comments and conclusions. I will posting more impressions in next few days. So....
1. For me, very personally, the first thing I want mentioning is that this is only the second headphone (the other is the Solitaire T) that having artificial leather earpads and NOT making my ears hot and sweating quickly. I deciding turning on the heating and reaching 27-29 celsius for my testing of this aspect. This is critical for me because all other Bose headphones (QC35, QC35 II, NC700) and Sony headphones (XM1, XM3 and XM4), ALWAYS making my ears hot quickly and getting sweat often too, so I never keeping this headphones, except the Sony XM3 for using when hoovering my house, but even this is problematic! The AirPods Max is terrible for me, not only for this same aspect, but is also irritating my skin! Other similar headphones, if not having real leather earpads, are always problematic.
2. Sound quality. Excellent! Not only for a consumer product, but a very balanced sound with bass that don't disappointing at all, and treble --always the very more problematic frequency in my experience-- of very good quality. Mids with Bose headphones are always good and this isn't exception. The DSP tuning of this headphone is excellent. I remember the NC700 having a peak in upper mids that I don't liking at all, and always thinking that the QC35, in general, having better balance in all the spectrum. For me the QCU having very clearly better sound than the PX8 and AirPods Max AND many others headphones and earphones.
3. I don't have interest in "Immersive" audio (spatial audio) because with the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro 2nd Gen and AirPods 3 this feature for music isn't really convincing me 70-80% of time. With podcasts and films is great but generally not for music. BUT I have a BIG surprise (maybe shock!) when I hearing "immersive" audio in the QCU. In several of the tests I'm doing (I need doing more) the results are very more positive that I expecting. One thing is that isn't so drastic or artificial like some comments and reviews I seeing, but is VERY clearly audible and making difference in sound in, generally, very good ways. My surprise is that Bose isn't doing really a gimmick here but doing proper research. BIG surprise.
4. The design is excellent, very similar to QC35 and having combination too with the NC700 design, so we getting a new headphone with very nice appearance AND excellent comfort...and isn't a heavy headphone at all. For me the QC35 is incredibly comfortable, probably still the best in my complete experience. The NC700, after 30 mins, more or less, I always needing adjusting because something isn't right. The QCU, after 3 hours, is just great. Even the Bose logo in the earcups, for my surprise, is subtle, one aspect I love. The B&W PX8 is exactly the opposite and I really NOT liking this.
5. The travel case is very small, compact, and of excellent construction quality and design. Is more small than my Sony XM3 even!
I need testing more, with wired mode for example, BUT I already know that wired mode isn't giving very good sound because this is a headphone with DSP tuning like the majority of BT/ANC headphones today.
I think, from my readings, that USB-C audio isn't possible. I will testing in next few days.
The slider for volume in the right ear cup is responding very well, but I prefer still the old physical button of the QC35 that giving me more precise control of small volume steps.
24 hours battery life (18 with immersive audio) for a headphone today isn't exactly great but isn't terrible either (this is with ANC or awareness modes on). 30 hours in 2023 is the minimum I expecting.
Like with the NC700, and even the very expensive Focal Bathys, you can't switching ANC off in the QCU. You having only ANC or awareness modes. BUT, at least Bose is giving very different levels between full ANC and complete awareness mode.
I don't testing the 3-bands equaliser simply because the factory sound is really very good. 3 bands is better than the 2 bands of the very more expensive PX8 or the limited only presets of the even very more expensive Solitaire T, so this is excellent from Bose.
I will testing ANC tomorrow and comparing with the excellent Sony XM3 and AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. By the way, awareness mode is giving very realistic outside sound. You also having a 'blocking wind' mode in ANC that, from my readings, is very effective.
I will testing telephone quality calls too if possible.
My present favourite headphone (for almost one year) is the very excellent T+A Solitaire T, a ANC headphone (releasing in November 2022) that is unique because the design by the T+A engineers is first for creating a very good closed-back wired headphone for audiophiles and then, after achieving this, they adding very special BT and ANC features that are unique in the world of BT and ANC earphones and headphones. This is a headphone that in BT ("High Quality") mode giving true audiophile sound that is surprisingly very, very close to the completely passive mode (meaning: wired and headphone switched off).
BUT the Solitaire T costing 1300 euros in Europe and $1600 USD in the USA and usually the customers with interest in this headphone paying a lot of attention too to wired performance, and sometimes possibly using an amp and maybe a DAC too. The QCU costing $430 in the USA and 500 euros in Europe ($532 USD!) and is a very different headphone for different type of customers, a headphone that, in my opinion, can easily comparing with very more expensive ANC headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins PX8, Apple's AirPods Max and maybe, in some aspects, to the even more expensive Focal Bathys.
I don't have a full review yet, but after 3 hours of listening and testing, I have some important comments and conclusions. I will posting more impressions in next few days. So....
1. For me, very personally, the first thing I want mentioning is that this is only the second headphone (the other is the Solitaire T) that having artificial leather earpads and NOT making my ears hot and sweating quickly. I deciding turning on the heating and reaching 27-29 celsius for my testing of this aspect. This is critical for me because all other Bose headphones (QC35, QC35 II, NC700) and Sony headphones (XM1, XM3 and XM4), ALWAYS making my ears hot quickly and getting sweat often too, so I never keeping this headphones, except the Sony XM3 for using when hoovering my house, but even this is problematic! The AirPods Max is terrible for me, not only for this same aspect, but is also irritating my skin! Other similar headphones, if not having real leather earpads, are always problematic.
2. Sound quality. Excellent! Not only for a consumer product, but a very balanced sound with bass that don't disappointing at all, and treble --always the very more problematic frequency in my experience-- of very good quality. Mids with Bose headphones are always good and this isn't exception. The DSP tuning of this headphone is excellent. I remember the NC700 having a peak in upper mids that I don't liking at all, and always thinking that the QC35, in general, having better balance in all the spectrum. For me the QCU having very clearly better sound than the PX8 and AirPods Max AND many others headphones and earphones.
3. I don't have interest in "Immersive" audio (spatial audio) because with the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro 2nd Gen and AirPods 3 this feature for music isn't really convincing me 70-80% of time. With podcasts and films is great but generally not for music. BUT I have a BIG surprise (maybe shock!) when I hearing "immersive" audio in the QCU. In several of the tests I'm doing (I need doing more) the results are very more positive that I expecting. One thing is that isn't so drastic or artificial like some comments and reviews I seeing, but is VERY clearly audible and making difference in sound in, generally, very good ways. My surprise is that Bose isn't doing really a gimmick here but doing proper research. BIG surprise.
4. The design is excellent, very similar to QC35 and having combination too with the NC700 design, so we getting a new headphone with very nice appearance AND excellent comfort...and isn't a heavy headphone at all. For me the QC35 is incredibly comfortable, probably still the best in my complete experience. The NC700, after 30 mins, more or less, I always needing adjusting because something isn't right. The QCU, after 3 hours, is just great. Even the Bose logo in the earcups, for my surprise, is subtle, one aspect I love. The B&W PX8 is exactly the opposite and I really NOT liking this.
5. The travel case is very small, compact, and of excellent construction quality and design. Is more small than my Sony XM3 even!
I need testing more, with wired mode for example, BUT I already know that wired mode isn't giving very good sound because this is a headphone with DSP tuning like the majority of BT/ANC headphones today.
I think, from my readings, that USB-C audio isn't possible. I will testing in next few days.
The slider for volume in the right ear cup is responding very well, but I prefer still the old physical button of the QC35 that giving me more precise control of small volume steps.
24 hours battery life (18 with immersive audio) for a headphone today isn't exactly great but isn't terrible either (this is with ANC or awareness modes on). 30 hours in 2023 is the minimum I expecting.
Like with the NC700, and even the very expensive Focal Bathys, you can't switching ANC off in the QCU. You having only ANC or awareness modes. BUT, at least Bose is giving very different levels between full ANC and complete awareness mode.
I don't testing the 3-bands equaliser simply because the factory sound is really very good. 3 bands is better than the 2 bands of the very more expensive PX8 or the limited only presets of the even very more expensive Solitaire T, so this is excellent from Bose.
I will testing ANC tomorrow and comparing with the excellent Sony XM3 and AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. By the way, awareness mode is giving very realistic outside sound. You also having a 'blocking wind' mode in ANC that, from my readings, is very effective.
I will testing telephone quality calls too if possible.
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