Muting stars

Some of the best noise-cancelling buds in the business are back for a second go, a little earlier than expected. Has this low-key update made a real difference?

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It wasn't all that long ago that Bose gave its flagship wireless in-ears an Ultra overhaul, so this new version feels a little premature. But rather than a full followup, the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are more like an album re-release, with a few bonus tracks adding appeal to what was already a five-star listen.

You can still expect impactful audio, a soundstage-expanding Immersive Audio mode, and an almost supernatural ability to silence the outside world. Only now the noise-cancelling copes better with sudden loud sounds, and its mics have been tuned for clearer calls.