Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen)
Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.
Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.
Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.
Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.
Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.
ANC is praised for not changing the headphone’s sonic character in one review’s listening.
Pros: Award recognition, ANC sound impact on audio
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, LE Audio readiness
ANC has little to no negative effect on audio in several reviews, which praise the stable tuning and absence of sonic changes between modes.
Pros: ANC effect on sound signature, Multi-platform compatibility
Cons: LE Audio readiness, Auracast support
Tom's Guide describes ANC's impact on the audio itself as minimal, a positive contrast to algorithms that alter the sound.
Pros: Frequency response accuracy, Multipoint connectivity reliability
Cons: LDAC, Wear detection performance
Review evidence says ANC can be used without taking a noticeable hit to audio quality.
Pros: ANC effect on sound signature, Maximum volume clarity
Cons: Equalizer customization, Advanced software features
ANC is praised by one reviewer for reducing distractions without hurting clarity, dynamics, or balance.
Pros: Instrument separation, Charging
Cons: Xbox compatibility, Water/sweat resistance rating
ANC was described as preserving clarity better than older implementations rather than dirtying or masking the music.
Pros: Sound leakage, Noise isolation (passive)
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Hinge durability
ANC did not meaningfully harm audio in the reviews that evaluated it, with sound staying consistent across ANC modes.
Pros: Battery, ANC sound impact on audio
Cons: 3.5mm analog input availability, Treble clarity
Reviewers generally found ANC did not damage the listening experience, with no major fatigue or radical sound shift reported.
Pros: Weight comfort, Charging
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Wear detection performance
ANC was praised for not hurting the sound in the cited review.
Pros: Smart Pause performance, Wear detection performance
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Wind noise handling
Sound impact from ANC was mostly acceptable: one reviewer heard no sonic penalty, while another said turning ANC off made the sound thinner.
Pros: Immersive audio quality, ANC background noise level
Cons: Replaceable pads/headband, Replaceable earpads
ANC processing was described as natural and airy, avoiding the heavy pressure some rivals create.
Pros: Button control usability, Design and Aesthetics
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Included accessories
ANC sound impact on audio was mildly positive in one review, where reducing ANC strength cleared up the sound a bit.
Pros: Multipoint connectivity reliability, Software/setup simplicity
Cons: LE Audio readiness, Smart Pause performance
Reviewers noted ANC can slightly change the sound, either by relieving pressure cleanly or by softening punch and dynamics.
Pros: Hinge durability, Ecosystem integration
Cons: aptX, LDAC
ANC slightly affects audio performance, with one review noting higher sound-quality scores when ANC is disabled.
Pros: Volume output, Multipoint connectivity reliability
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Codec support
ANC's sound impact was mildly negative because one review heard a small soundstage/imaging loss when ANC was activated.
Pros: Award recognition, Battery
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, LDAC
ANC’s audio impact was mixed: some heard no tonal shift or a useful bass boost, while others heard crackle or distracting movement artifacts.
Pros: Award recognition, Battery
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Touch control responsiveness
ANC sound impact is similarly split, with TechRadar praising tonal consistency and RecordingNow hearing a more problematic change with ANC on.
Pros: Codec support, aptX
Cons: LDAC, Water/sweat resistance rating
ANC sound impact is split: one reviewer says ANC changes the music too much, while another finds minimal impact.
Pros: Battery, Volume output
Cons: Preset EQ profile quality, Weight comfort
ANC's effect on audio was inconsistent: one reviewer heard no distortion, while others reported blanking or lost detail with ANC on.
Pros: Sound leakage, Battery
Cons: Sustainability and repairability, Auto on/off reliability
ANC can affect audio clarity, with one reviewer finding moderate ANC tolerable but still slightly clarity-reducing.
Pros: Multipoint connectivity reliability, Battery
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Transparency mode quality
ANC’s impact on audio was mixed to negative overall: some heard veiling, nasal mids, or bass muddling, while one liked the fuller ANC-on sound.
Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Headband adjustability
Cons: Cable quality, Smart Pause performance
One review said audio sounded best with ANC off because switching ANC on narrowed and muted the presentation.
Pros: Smart Pause performance, App
Cons: Wear detection performance, Wear detection auto-pause
ANC sometimes added hiss or white-noise artifacts, creating a mild audio-side drawback.
Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Android compatibility
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, Auto-play/wear detection
Reviewer evidence was mostly critical of anc sound impact on audio, emphasizing limitations rather than a reliable strength.
Pros: Volume output, Active noise cancellation
Cons: Water/sweat resistance rating, USB-C
ANC's impact on audio was criticized in one review that said turning ANC off reduced compressed, congested delivery.
Pros: Weight comfort, Ear cup swivel/rotation range
Cons: Cable quality, ANC sound impact on audio
ANC-related sound impact was negative in the reviews that discussed it, especially scratchy spatial audio or overwhelming bass shifts.
Pros: Award recognition, Audio-video sync accuracy
Cons: ANC sound impact on audio, ANC effect on sound signature