No one wants to be tied down when they’re out and about – which is why the smart money is on true wireless in-ears for real freedom of movement
BOSE QUIETCOMFORT ULTRA EARBUDS
One day, Bose is going to release a pair of true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds that don’t absolutely blow everyone away with their sound quality and ability to deal with all external sonic distractions. Today is not that day, though –because the QC Ultra Earbuds sound superb and cancel noise like you wouldn’t believe.
At a glance, there’s not much to differentiate these buds from the QuietComfort II model they replaced. The finish is a little more upmarket, yes, with tiny adjustments to the way they fit. But broadly speaking, it’s business as usual. That’s true of the control options too: you still get some very reliable touch-surfaces along with one of the best control apps around, Bose Music.
Once you start listening, though, it becomes apparent what Bose has been up to. The most obvious change is Bose Immersive Audio, the company’s take on spatial listening. It’s safe to say there are some recordings that don’t benefit from the immersive treatment, but those that do (and there are plenty) sound more open, more spacious and far more, well, immersive than they ever did though a pair of QC IIs. And they’re just as punchy, just as detailed and just as revealing.
Call quality is right up there with the best too; and when it comes to ANC, Bose comfortably retains its position as the top brand around. Without affecting their sonic characteristics in the slightest, the QC Ultra Earbuds simply remove all external sounds from your listening experience. There’s something almost spooky about how comprehensively they can deal with even the loudest ambient noise –to the point that you can’t even hear a lorry pull away from the traffic lights. If it’s peace you crave, don’t look (or listen) any further.
Price £300 /go.stuff.tv/QCUltraBuds
Key specs
● Bluetooth 5.3 ● SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive ● ANC ● 6hrs + 18hrs case ● 2x 6.2g, 60g case
STUFF SAYS Classic Bose noise-cancelling buds, but now with spatial audio ★★★★★
ALTERNATIVELY…
DEVIALET GEMINI II
£349 / devialet.com
There’s not much space in a pair of true wireless earbuds for a company to express itself, design-wise, but Devialet has given it a go here. So in addition to thorough specs (and the excellent sound quality that results), the French brand has tried to bring just a little of its usual bonkersness too. If you want to cut a bit of dash while you’re listening, get these.
Stuff says ★★★★★
JABRA ELITE 10
£230 / jabra.co.uk
Not for the first tim
