Sony ULT Wear Vs Bose QC Ultra & Bose QC Headphones - Sony Is Putting Bose Back On Notice AGAIN

Summary

In this video, the Sony Ulta Wear headphones are compared to the Bose QC and Bose QC Ultra, both mid- and high-tier models, respectively. The video highlights the build quality, comfort, sound performance, battery life, and features such as noise cancellation and ambient modes. While the Sony Ulta Wear offers impressive performance for its price, the Bose headphones provide a more premium feel and slightly better noise cancellation. The video provides a detailed analysis, focusing on the specific advantages of the Sony Ulta Wear, including longer battery life, better ambient mode, and more fun sound, making it a strong competitor to the more expensive Bose models.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sony Ulta wear are Sony's new mid-tier headphones, retailing at $200 (often discounted to $180), offering solid ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) performance.
• 😀 The Bose QC headphones are priced at $350, while the Bose QC Ultra are priced at $430, offering premium features and performance.
• 😀 All three headphones (Sony Ulta wear, Bose QC, and Bose QC Ultra) come with durable, collapsible carrying cases that protect the headphones during travel.
• 😀 Build quality: The Sony Ulta wear use recycled plastic, while the Bose models use more durable plastic and exposed metal headbands, with the QC Ultra feeling the most premium.
• 😀 The fit of the headphones is generally comfortable for all head sizes, with the Sony Ulta wear offering the firmest clamp and the Bose QC having the loosest.
• 😀 The Sony Ulta wear are the lightest at 255g, with the Bose QC Ultra at 254g and the Bose QC at 235g, making the Bose QC the easiest to forget while wearing.
• 😀 Battery life: Sony Ulta wear offer a longer battery life, with up to 50 hours (without ANC) compared to 24 hours for both Bose models (with ANC on).
• 😀 The Sony Ulta wear charge faster, offering 5 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge, while the Bose QC Ultra battery life drops to 18 hours when using immersive audio.
• 😀 Sound quality: The Sony Ulta wear provide customizable EQ settings, with a focus on instrument separation and bass clarity. They offer the most fun and engaging listening experience.
• 😀 Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): While the Bose QC and QC Ultra block out more noise than the Sony Ulta wear, the latter still performs well for its price, with a more reactive ambient mode.
• 😀 The Sony Ulta wear also have the Quick Attention feature, allowing users to lower music volume and hear surrounding sounds without removing the headphones, a feature not found in the Bose models.

Q & A

What are the main differences between the Sony Ulta Wear and the Bose QC headphones?

The main differences lie in their build quality, comfort, battery life, and sound performance. The Sony Ulta Wear are made with recycled plastic, whereas Bose QC headphones use more premium-feeling materials. The Bose QC headphones have a looser fit compared to the firmer fit of the Sony Ulta Wear. In terms of battery life, Sony Ulta Wear outperforms both the Bose QC and Bose QC Ultra, offering up to 50 hours of playback when ANC is off, while Bose headphones last 24 hours. Soundwise, the Sony Ulta Wear offer more customizable EQ settings and better bass performance compared to Bose's more neutral sound signature.

How does the build quality of the Sony Ulta Wear compare to the Bose QC headphones?

The Sony Ulta Wear, made from recycled plastic, feel less dense and durable compared to the Bose QC headphones, which are constructed from new, higher-quality plastic. However, despite this, there have been no durability issues reported with Sony's headphones. The Bose QC Ultra headphones feel the most premium due to their metal headband arms and high-quality materials.

Which headphones are the lightest and most comfortable to wear?

The Bose QC headphones are the lightest at 235g, which makes them the most comfortable for extended wear. They are easier to forget you're wearing them compared to the Sony Ulta Wear and Bose QC Ultra, which are slightly heavier at 255g and 254g, respectively. The Bose QC headphones also have the loosest fit, contributing to their comfort.

What are the battery life differences between the Sony Ulta Wear and Bose QC headphones?

The Sony Ulta Wear offer a significant advantage in battery life, lasting 30 hours with ANC on and up to 50 hours with ANC off. In comparison, both the Bose QC and Bose QC Ultra provide 24 hours of battery life with ANC turned on, but the Bose QC Ultra's battery drops to 18 hours with immersive audio enabled.

Can the Sony Ulta Wear be used passively with a wired connection?

Yes, the Sony Ulta Wear can be used passively with a wired connection while powered off, which extends their usability. On the other hand, the Bose QC Ultra requires power to be turned on even when using them with a wired connection.

How do the Sony Ulta Wear and Bose QC Ultra perform in active noise cancellation (ANC)?

Both the Sony Ulta Wear and Bose QC Ultra perform very well in ANC, though Bose's headphones block out more noise, particularly in high-chatter environments. However, the Sony Ulta Wear still do a commendable job, especially considering their lower price. Both sets of headphones lack atmospheric pressure sensors, so their ANC performance is less effective at high altitudes like on a plane.

What unique feature does the Sony Ulta Wear have for managing ambient noise?

The Sony Ulta Wear have a feature called 'Quick Attention' that automatically lowers the volume and amplifies ambient sound when you cover the touchpad. This is ideal for brief conversations without removing the headphones. Bose's headphones lack a similar feature, though they do have an ambient mode that can be adjusted.

What is the performance of the microphones on these headphones?

The microphones on the Sony Ulta Wear perform decently in quiet environments but struggle a bit with noise interference, especially when there's road noise or chatter. The Bose QC Ultra has a better microphone that handles noise pollution more effectively, especially in noisy environments like roads or crowded places. The Bose QC headphones, however, have the least impressive microphone performance among the three.

How do the EQ settings and sound performance compare across the headphones?

The sound performance varies significantly between the headphones. The Bose QC headphones offer a more neutral sound with audible bass but not much punch. The Bose QC Ultra has a similar sound signature but adds an 'immersive audio' feature that enhances sound clarity but can muddy the bass if used with head tracking. The Sony Ulta Wear offers more customizable EQ settings with better bass control, making them more fun and dynamic for music listening, especially with their Clear Base slider.

Which headphones are best for frequent flyers or travelers?

For frequent flyers, the Bose QC Ultra may be the better choice due to their superior noise-canceling ability, especially when dealing with chatter and background noise. However, if you prioritize battery life and a comfortable, lightweight option, the Sony Ulta Wear would still be a great choice, as it offers longer battery life and good performance at a lower price.