The previous couple of weeks have introduced us two enormous true wi-fi releases: the AirPods Professional 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. Sequels to among the finest noise-cancelling earbuds ever created, each fashions bundle enhanced lively noise cancellation (ANC) and refined audio into comparable designs. Nonetheless, every has their very own particular set of abilities that differentiate one from the opposite.
Apple brings Adaptive Transparency, Discover My (AirPods) integration with the MagSafe charging case, and Personalised Spatial Audio into the fold with the AirPods Professional 2, whereas additionally welcoming again quite a few efficiency hallmarks from the unique AirPods Professional.
The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 construct on Bose’s class-leading ANC, which employs proprietary applied sciences that calibrate sound and noise cancellation to at least one’s listening to, delivering premium wi-fi efficiency for interruption-free music listening and voice/video calls.
It’s protected to name these two of the finest wi-fi earbuds that cash should purchase. As for which is the higher possibility, our breakdown of the AirPods Professional 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 will set the report straight.
AirPods Professional 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Value
Apple sells the AirPods Professional 2 for a similar beginning value as the unique: $249. In the meantime, Bose has launched the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at $299 – a $20 markup from the first-gen entry.
Neither comes low cost, however when accounting for options and what’s extra attainable, then Apple’s buds convincingly win this spherical.
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Winner: AirPods Professional 2
AirPods Professional 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Specs in contrast
| AirPods Professional 2 | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | $249.99 | $299.99 |
| Wirelesw charging | Sure | No |
| Battery life | 5.5 hours (Spatial Audio and Head Monitoring on) 6 hours (ANC on); 7 hours (ANC off); 30 hours (charging case with ANC on); 34 hours (charging case with ANC off) | 6 hours; 24 hours (charging case) |
| Processor | H2 Apple Silicon | Not acknowledged |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| IPX score | IPX4 (buds and case) | IPX4 (buds solely) |
| Dimension and weight (buds) | 1.22 x 0.86 x 0.94 inches (per bud); 0.19 ounces (per bud) | 1.2 x 0.68 x 0.88 inches (per bud); 0.21 ounces (per bud) |
| Dimension and weight (charging case) | 1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85 inches (charging case); 1.79 ounces (charging case) | 2.61 x 2.34 x 1.05 inches (charging case); 2.1 ounces (charging case) |
| Particular options | ANC, adaptive transparency mode, adaptive EQ, customized spatial audio, automated switching, Ear Tip Match Take a look at, bodily quantity controls, audio sharing, introduced messages with Siri, Discover My (AirPods), “Hey Siri” voice-activated help, Reside Pay attention, MagSafe charging case with built-in speaker, Apple Watch charging, lanyard loop assist | Adaptive lively noise cancellation, ambient listening mode, ActiveSense, customizable EQ, CustomTune know-how, digital assistant assist, Eartip Match Take a look at, fast charging, Self Voice |
AirPods Professional 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Design
If it isn’t already evident upon first look, Bose redesigned their flagship buds to look extra just like the AirPods. We’re not the most important followers of long-stem wi-fi earbuds, however the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 is a sleeker and extra vital improve from the vast, protruding QC Earbuds. Plastic stays the first materials used to assemble these buds and its extra sturdy than what’s used on the AirPods Professional 2. The combined shiny and matte finishes are good touches. We additionally just like the smaller, extra travel-friendly charging case. You’ll obtain a good match, due to Bose’s new ear tip equipment and accurate-performing EarTip Match Take a look at. For a product that emphasizes consolation in its moniker, the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 doesn’t present a lot of it, urgent up in opposition to the concha after a brief period of time.
The one seen modifications between the AirPods Professional 2 and AirPods Professional (1st gen) are the skin-detect sensors, which have been carried over from the AirPods 3. Particulars just like the mic grille and aluminum accents are an identical, together with measurement and weight. The MagSafe charging case is completely different, now that includes a built-in speaker for particular notifications (extra on that later) and a lanyard loop. Consolation continues to be nice, with Apple’s new ideas and Ear Tip Match Take a look at permitting for optimum match.
Observe that each fashions are IPX4 sweat and water resistant, although the AirPods Professional 2’s case can be IPX4-certified.
Winner: AirPods Professional 2
AirPods Professional 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Controls
The AirPods Professional already had the class’s finest management scheme, courtesy of Apple’s flawless Power Sensor enter and “Hey Siri” voice activation. Now, the Power Sensor enables you to modify quantity by way of slide gestures, and the perform works extraordinarily nicely. Activating instructions like play/pause (single press), skip observe (double press), earlier observe (triple press), and biking by way of listening modes (lengthy press) are effortlessly executed. Siri continues to steal the present with distinctive speech recognition and swift responses. The digital assistant perform gained’t work on any non-Apple gadgets.
A full suite of media controls is on the market on the QuietComfort Earbuds 2 that may be enabled by way of single/multi-tap, long-press, and slide gestures (for quantity). The latter appears to be most responsive, with all different enter strategies struggling at instances to execute meant features. Put on detection works nicely, nevertheless it operates extra shortly on the AirPods Professional 2. One benefit Bose offers customers is multi-digital help, which is on level and picks up each voice command exactly, regardless of your telephone’s native assistant (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby, Alexa).
Winner: AirPods Professional 2
AirPods Professional 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Lively noise cancellation
Apple’s up to date noise cancellation is nice. The AirPods Professional 2 is engineered to dam out twice as a lot background interference because the earlier entry, and it exhibits. These buds utterly silence low and mid frequencies, placing a kibosh on every little thing from engine roar to loud TVs to talkative pedestrians. They even handle to reduce excessive frequencies higher than most rivals, although your ears will nonetheless choose up on blaring sounds. Wind resistance is surprisingly robust too. Adaptive Transparency is the extra spectacular a part of Apple’s enhanced ANC mode, preserving listeners conscious of their environment, whereas lowering harsh environmental noise.
Apple additionally offers you two additional options that function ambient listening alternate options. The primary is Dialog Increase, which emphasizes vocals higher throughout chats, and Pay attention Reside to rework your iPhone right into a dwell mic that picks up incidental sounds and sends them to your AirPods.
Is Apple’s ANC know-how higher than Bose’s? No. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 makes use of CustomTune know-how to tailor ANC to your listening to, mapping the contours of your ear canal for more practical noise neutralization. What you wind up with are buds able to cancelling out almost 95 % of distractions throughout the frequency spectrum. Quiet Mode is ideal for coping with low and mid-range frequencies. You’re given the choice to create your individual ANC profile and modify between the ten ANC ranges; that is the perfect answer for coping with excessive frequencies (set ANC to max). Conscious Mode routinely tweaks ambient listening, although efficiency is significantly better when toggling the ActiveSense function, which allowed us to listen to music and ambient noise equally nicely.
Neither Apple, nor Bose’s ANC modes compromise audio high quality when turned on.
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2
AirPods Professional 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Audio High quality
Extra audio customization instruments can be found on the AirPods Professional 2, giving it an edge in sound high quality. You may nonetheless change the EQ within the iOS settings or let the adaptive EQ fine-tune audio primarily based on how the buds slot in your ears. There’s additionally the brand new low-distortion audio driver and customized amplifier that pump out richer bass and cleaner mids. Options like Headphone Audio Customization can tailor audio to your listening to preferences, whereas Headphone Lodging tunes audio for stability, vary, or brightness, in addition to enhance or lower the presence of soppy sounds. Lastly, there’s Personalised Spatial Audio that creates your individual private 3D listening profile utilizing iOS 16 and the iPhone’s TrueDepth digital camera, delivering an optimized, immersive encompass sound expertise with dynamic head monitoring.
Sound has additionally been enhanced on the QuietComfort Earbuds 2. The lively EQ and CustomTune know-how calibrate ANC and the sound frequency profile to the distinctive properties of your ear for punchy, sharp audio. Frequency vary is strong for probably the most half, although the low finish tends to get overzealous on tremendous bass-heavy tracks. Bose’s three-band EQ could be manually adjusted, plus it comes with 4 presets which might be cut up between bass and treble adjustment. These buds don’t assist 3D audio.
Winner: AirPods Professional 2
AirPods Professional 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Particular options and app
On the subject of prolonged performance, the AirPods Professional 2 crushes most rivals, and that’s with out a companion app. A number of favorites return, together with automated switching, audio sharing, introduced messages with Siri, Ear Tip Match Take a look at, “Hey Siri,” Headphone Lodging, Headphone Ranges, and Reside Pay attention. Then there are newcomers like Adaptive Transparency, Personalised Spatial Audio, and Precision Discovering that works hand in hand with Discover My (AirPods) to pinpoint the placement of your misplaced charging case. Apple additionally added a devoted part for the buds within the Settings menu, providing fast entry to regulate machine preferences.
Bose isn’t identified for stocking their headphones and earbuds with tons of options. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 isn’t any completely different. Most of what’s supplied has already been accounted for: Quiet (ANC)/Conscious mode, ActiveSense, EQ, Eartip Match Take a look at, and Shortcut. Self Voice is the final main function, adjusting how loud your voice sounds on voice and video calls. A future replace that brings unbiased single bud use is deliberate for the tip of 12 months. Keep in mind that Bose Music app presently suffers from connectivity points.
Each units of buds run on Bluetooth 5.3 and supply regular connectivity with prolonged vary. Nonetheless, Apple has designed all AirPods to seamlessly join with all their gadgets, making the pairing course of instantaneous, however solely with Apple gadgets. The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 is extra platform impartial and connects simply to each iOS and Android gadgets, whereas the AirPods Professional 2 experiences connection points with MacBooks and Google-operated smartphones.
Winner: AirPods Professional 2
AirPods Professional 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Battery life
Apple lastly beats a rival in battery life. The AirPods Professional 2 has longer playtimes than the unique, stretching between 5.5 to 7 hours, relying how you employ the buds. You get between 30 to 34 hours additional from the charging case when totally powered. Lightning charging generates 1 hour of use in 5 minutes. Moreover, you will have extra methods to cost the product: Lightning cable, Apple Watch charger or wirelessly by way of MagSafe/Qi-enabled charging pad.
The QuietComfort Earbuds 2 stays capped at 6 hours per cost. It additionally doesn’t boast wi-fi charging, gained’t allow you to flip off ANC, and comes with among the weakest fast charging at its value level (20 minutes = 2 hours of playtime). A minimum of the charging case offers you a bit extra transportable energy this time round – 24 hours to be precise.
Winner: AirPods Professional 2
AirPods Professional 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2: Name high quality
Like their earlier variations, the AirPods Professional 2 and QuietComfort Earbuds 2 stay the 2 finest actually wi-fi calling headsets. If we should select, we want Bose’s buds for its barely higher noise neutralization throughout chats and the Self Voice function. It’s nice having Personalised Spatial Audio obtainable for convention FaceTime calls, and vocals do are available loud and clearly, however the mics can solely take a lot noise and wind.
Winner: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2
Winner: AirPods Professional 2
The AirPods Professional 2 has rather more to work with for the value. Upgrades to ANC, battery life, and sound high quality, particularly Personalised Spatial Audio, are important to the mannequin’s success. Even low-key additions just like the built-in contact quantity controls and Precision Discovering for locating the charging case shortly are significantly appreciated. There’s extra worth investing in Apple’s newest wi-fi earbuds.
| AirPods Professional 2 | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Worth (5) | 4 | 3 |
| Design (15) | 13 | 12 |
| Controls (10) | 10 | 8 |
| Lively noise cancellation (20) | ? | 20 |
| Audio high quality (15) | ? | 13 |
| App and particular options (15) | 15 | 11 |
| Battery Life (10) | 8 | 7 |
| Name high quality (10) | ? | 10 |
| Whole Rating (100) | 84 |
Bose continues to enhance on what’s undeniably the perfect noise cancellation within the class. Nothing tops the QuietComfort Earbuds 2’s ANC and name high quality. Audio is fine-tuned to provide music a dynamic presence. The redesign additionally improves operation and match. We solely wished that the buds offered higher consolation and had extra options to play with.
