Wireless Earbuds · owner-verdict comparison

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs EAH-AZ100: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the EAH-AZ100: 55% of 233 owners recommend it, vs 34% of 50 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

34%of 50 owners recommend
34% recommend · 14% neutral · 52% don't
Owners praise
  • Noise cancellation is best-in-class, making flights, gyms, vacuums, and noisy stores go nearly silent
  • Fit is extremely comfortable for all-day wear and the eartips/wings stay locked in during workouts
  • Sound quality is rich with punchy, deep bass that owners rate above AirPods Pro and similar Sony models
Owners complain about
  • Bluetooth connectivity is unreliable: slow pairing, random disconnects, and buds that won't reconnect on phones like the Galaxy S25 and Z Flip7
  • A faint static, hiss, or high-pitched "mosquito" sound shows up in the left earbud, especially with ANC on
  • Call and mic quality can be muffled or noisy, with people on the other end struggling to hear the caller clearly
Full owner report →

EAH-AZ100

55%of 233 owners recommend
55% recommend · 26% neutral · 19% don't
Owners praise
  • Rich, detailed sound quality with strong bass, wide soundstage, and clear separation that many owners rank above rivals like the Sony XM5/XM6 and AZ80
  • Frequently called the best or most well-rounded earbuds owners have used, excelling across sound, features, and daily usability
  • Firmware updates have meaningfully improved sound tuning and ANC over time, with owners noting clearer vocals, better bass focus, and improved call quality after updating
Owners complain about
  • ANC is inconsistent across owners, described by many as mediocre, weak, or nearly nonexistent for the price, especially compared to Bose and Sony
  • Fit and comfort problems are common, including buds falling out, painful hard-shell pressure, and slick stock tips that don't stay seated
  • Stock tuning is often described as muddy or overly bass-heavy, requiring EQ adjustment to sound its best
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if
  • ✓Frequent flyers wanting best-in-class noise cancellation
  • ✓Gym-goers needing a secure, comfortable all-day fit
  • ✓Bass fans who like an immersive, punchy sound
  • ✓Commuters silencing crowds, restaurants and offices
Skip it if
  • People needing rock-solid Bluetooth after firmware updates
  • Listeners bothered by faint hiss they can't fully disable
Get the EAH-AZ100 if
  • ✓Listeners willing to EQ for detailed, audiophile-leaning sound and wide soundstage
  • ✓All-rounders wanting one bud for music, calls, movies, and long battery life
  • ✓Buyers who prioritize sound quality and deep bass over class-leading ANC
  • ✓Owners who find a snug alt-tip fit (Comply/Spinfit) for stability and comfort
Skip it if
  • Metal/rock fans annoyed by the bloated, muddy stock bass tuning
  • Gamers or video watchers sensitive to noticeable audio latency

What Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) owners say

“I will be returning my AP3 and just sticking with the Bose gen 2.”
— @triniflyer8685 on YouTube
“They’re my instant new favorite.”
— @Thegonagle on YouTube
“I wish Bose would fix the microphone during calls most people tell me they hear excessive noise when I am on a call if I am in a noisy environment”
— @ait0317 on YouTube

What EAH-AZ100 owners say

“EAH-AZ100 is in another league”
— Master_Cartoonist_16 on Reddit
“I love them, got them $80 off.”
— Harkwit on Reddit
“I felt the same as well. These are so overrated”
— 1ElectricalZ1 on Reddit

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs EAH-AZ100: frequently asked questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the EAH-AZ100 better?

Real owners lean toward the EAH-AZ100: 55% of 233 owners recommend it, vs 34% of 50 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).

Who should get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?

Owners point the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) at frequent flyers wanting best-in-class noise cancellation, and gym-goers needing a secure, comfortable all-day fit.

Who should get the EAH-AZ100?

Owners point the EAH-AZ100 at listeners willing to EQ for detailed, audiophile-leaning sound and wide soundstage, and all-rounders wanting one bud for music, calls, movies, and long battery life.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is bluetooth connectivity is unreliable: slow pairing, random disconnects, and buds that won't reconnect on phones like the Galaxy S25 and Z Flip7. For the EAH-AZ100, it's aNC is inconsistent across owners, described by many as mediocre, weak, or nearly nonexistent for the price, especially compared to Bose and Sony.