Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs HiFiMan Sundara: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the HiFiMan Sundara: 53% of 352 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 474 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (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 Headphones (2nd Gen)

35%of 474 owners recommend

35% recommend · 23% neutral · 42% don't

Owners praise

Exceptional comfort for long sessions, owners repeatedly say they "disappear" on your head and can be worn for hours or all day, often rated more comfortable than the Sony XM6, Bose QC45, and even AirPods Max
Best-in-class active noise cancelling, especially for steady low-frequency noise like airplane engines, HVAC, and trains
Rich, detailed sound with punchy bass that many say sounds great right out of the box without needing EQ

Owners complain about

A persistent white-noise/hissing sound from the ANC circuit that owners describe as annoying during quiet moments, calls, and pauses in audio
A firmware update stripped out features many relied on, including cycling between paired Bluetooth devices via the headphone button, multipoint switching, and battery-percentage announcements on power-up
Creaking, popping, or clicking noises from the hinges and headband, plus a jarring "thump" when the adaptive ANC reacts to sudden noises like a door slamming

Full owner report →

HiFiMan Sundara

53%of 352 owners recommend

53% recommend · 30% neutral · 17% don't

Owners praise

Exceptional value for the price, repeatedly called the best bang-for-buck headphone in the hobby, punching well above its price bracket
Responds dramatically well to EQ, with many owners saying a modest EQ profile transforms them into a much more detailed, bass-capable headphone
Wide, spacious soundstage with strong instrument separation and detail retrieval that owners compare favorably to pricier flagships

Owners complain about

Inconsistent build quality and QC, owners report cracked headbands, dead or channel-imbalanced drivers, and units failing anywhere from days to a couple years in
Bright, sometimes sibilant treble that a meaningful minority finds fatiguing or 'too bright' out of the box
Thin sub-bass and lacking low-end impact without EQ, described as anemic by several owners

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if

✓Frequent travelers who want top-tier ANC and all-day comfort on long flights
✓Glasses wearers and long-session listeners who prioritize a soft, low-clamp fit
✓Upgraders from Bose QC35/QC45 who value premium build over Sony's plastic feel
✓Listeners who want strong out-of-the-box sound without needing an EQ

Skip it if

People who make lots of calls, since mic and call quality draw frequent complaints
Anyone needing to fully disable ANC, since wind noise and hiss bother some owners

Get the HiFiMan Sundara if

✓Budget-conscious audiophiles wanting near-flagship detail and soundstage for a fraction of the price
✓Listeners willing to EQ, since owners say a bass shelf and treble tweaks transform the sound
✓Music listeners who prize detail, instrument separation, and vocal staging over bass slam
✓Owners who treat them gently at a desk, since many report years of trouble-free use

Skip it if

Bassheads, since many owners find stock bass thin or anemic without EQ
People sensitive to treble brightness or sibilance, a recurring complaint

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

“My ultra used daily for over a year is still working great. Had some firmware issue at the start but currently it is Ok. Good anc, great sound and sturdy.”
— GrumpyBitFlipper on Reddit

“I come from the xm5 earbuds and just bought the QC Ultra 2nd gen’s because even though I loved the Sony’s, I don’t like wearing them knowing there’s too much toxic chemicals in them.”
— therealpurpledolpin on Reddit

“but not the Ultras (not worth the price increase imo)”
— xolavenderwitch on Reddit

What HiFiMan Sundara owners say

“They won't break. I've got a opair of the 2020 Sundara's and a recently purchased set of Arya Stealth. They're both perfect. Sound wise and build quality too.”
— Kevbassman on Reddit

“Absolutely the Sundara gives you way more than its price suggests clean planar bass, great detail and a neutral tuning that honestly captures most of what people love about higher end cans.”
— Ornery-Ad-9419 on Reddit

“I think the. Sundara is super overrated. It's fine, nothing special, has some quirks/problems that many better headphones in and above its class don't.”
— drwafflefingers on Reddit

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs HiFiMan Sundara: frequently asked questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the HiFiMan Sundara better?

Real owners lean toward the HiFiMan Sundara: 53% of 352 owners recommend it, vs 35% of 474 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).

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

Owners point the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) at frequent travelers who want top-tier ANC and all-day comfort on long flights, and glasses wearers and long-session listeners who prioritize a soft, low-clamp fit.

Who should get the HiFiMan Sundara?

Owners point the HiFiMan Sundara at budget-conscious audiophiles wanting near-flagship detail and soundstage for a fraction of the price, and listeners willing to EQ, since owners say a bass shelf and treble tweaks transform the sound.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is a persistent white-noise/hissing sound from the ANC circuit that owners describe as annoying during quiet moments, calls, and pauses in audio. For the HiFiMan Sundara, it's inconsistent build quality and QC, owners report cracked headbands, dead or channel-imbalanced drivers, and units failing anywhere from days to a couple years in.