Bose releases second-generation QuietComfort Headphones in Japan

Bose has released the second generation of its QuietComfort Headphones in Japan, priced at 46,200 yen. Positioned as a more affordable standard model compared to the flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, this update focuses on enhancing comfort and noise-canceling stability.

A key technical addition is the adaptive feedforward control, which uses six microphones to compensate for sound leakage caused by glasses, hats, or hair. This helps maintain active noise cancellation (ANC) performance even when a perfect seal is not achieved. While the ANC is highly effective at suppressing consistent low-frequency sounds like engines or air conditioning, it remains slightly less powerful than the Ultra model.

The headphones weigh approximately 230g, making them lighter and more comfortable for extended use than the Ultra version. They feature an Aware mode for ambient sound transparency, including an ActiveSense function that automatically adjusts ANC to protect ears from sudden loud noises. However, reviews note that call quality may suffer in windy or noisy environments as microphones tend to pick up ambient sounds and footsteps.