On trial: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

While you might need effective noise cancellation to get you through a challenging commute, those all-important work calls or a long-haul flight, the real holy grail is a pair of headphones that bring your personal soundtrack to life. Think: an over-ear headset that lives up to the audio dream of capturing the feeling of a live experience – with clarity as well as comfort. Not asking for a lot, are we? 

The only other question we have is can Bose hit the acoustic sweet spot? We tested a pair of the brand's over-ear wireless headphones in a new limited-edition Plum shade to see if they really do provide comfort, sound and quiet without compromise.

Once you download the Bose app and set up your headphones (this took mere moments, as it’s very simple to use) you can adapt your QuietComfort Ultra headphones to suit your needs. There are three pre-set modes applied as standard – Quiet, Aware and Immersive – but you can also add a host of custom modes to your lineup, including ones to suit your commute, outdoor activities or workout.

Of the three core settings, the Quiet mode offers world-class noise-cancelling, which Bose describes as ‘quieter than ever before’ – it’s certainly superior to my current in-ear headphones, and would be amazing for flights and long journeys. Next, the Aware mode seamlessly allows you to hear both your audio and your environment with clarity, great for personal safety in busy places. Yet it’s the Immersive mode that’s really special; the breakthrough Bose Immersive Audio technology offers spatialised listening, which makes sound somehow…more real. More on that below.

As if that’s not enough sorcery, the design also features CustomTune technology, which auto-adjusts the sound performance to your ears’ liking. Yes, these headphones can analyse the shape of your ears, adapt to any distortion and then personalise your listening so you get the best sound quality for you. I’ll let you take that in.

The tech is front and centre, but the design is carefully considered too. On the adjustable frame (this pair in a unique plum tone), the ear pads are soft and incredibly comfortable – no pinching or pressing here.

There’s a touch-sensitive volume control on the right earpiece for seamlessly adjusting sound levels and, on the same side, a small button allows you to play, pause and skip forward and backwards simply. 

Also, a notable new addition: the Ultra headphones offer a Bluetooth multipoint feature, which means you can connect to two source devices at the same time. Handy.

Additionally, the hinged earpieces mean the Bose QuietComfort Ultra can be folded neatly away into their compact, hard-shelled carrying case – perfect to pop in a bag and protect your headphones when not in use. Which, with a battery life of up to 24 hours, might not be that frequently!

I tried the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones out with all manner of musical genres as well as with podcasts, videos and phone calls – while at home, out and about and travelling on early summer adventures – and, for me, they delivered.

There was a lot I loved about these, starting with the rich and warm Plum shade. It combines tasteful design with a dash of personality. But it was the Immersive mode that really got me. A friend of mine who’s a musician suggested I try out this setting with John Grant’s ‘Pale Green Ghosts’ to see how it handled the full spectrum of sound. It was a great shout. I don’t quite know how to describe it, but let’s just say they call it ‘immersive’ for good reason; it’s not the same feeling you have when you’re physically in a space filled with live music, but these headphones put a similarly big smile on my face. 

Interesting (plus well-designed, chic and comfortable) with their standout noise-cancelling capabilities, they’re definitely coming with me on any future flights or long journeys. No questions asked. 

★★★★★