Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sennheiser HD 650: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Sennheiser HD 650: 75% of 316 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 →

Sennheiser HD 650

75%of 316 owners recommend
75% recommend · 11% neutral · 14% don't
Owners praise
  • Natural, balanced tonality that just "sounds right"
  • Lush, lifelike midrange and vocals
  • Non-fatiguing for hours of relaxed listening
Owners complain about
  • Rolled-off, light sub-bass that often needs EQ
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 Sennheiser HD 650 if
  • ✓Listeners wanting warm, non-fatiguing sound for long sessions
  • ✓Vocal, acoustic, jazz, and classical lovers
  • ✓Home producers wanting a mixing reference
  • ✓Buyers wanting durable cans that last decades with an amp
Skip it if
  • Bassheads wanting deep sub-bass extension
  • Those needing a wide soundstage and precise imaging

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 Sennheiser HD 650 owners say

“What an incredible difference they make to everything I had before! You can listen to a track and hear subtle details that you did not even know they existed. Wow!”
— @marco83 on YouTube
“HD650 with a bum driver, but I was able to solider the voice coil back on, so they work normally again. I had a pair 15 years ago and always regreted selling them.”
— kindofbluetrains on Reddit
“I find the HiFiMan Sundara & the Fiio FT1 Pro both more useful for mixing - the Sennheisers have a much more condensed/flat sound with less bass extension than either of those”
— @reallyoldcob on YouTube

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sennheiser HD 650: frequently asked questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Sennheiser HD 650 better?

Real owners lean toward the Sennheiser HD 650: 75% of 316 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 Sennheiser HD 650?

Owners point the Sennheiser HD 650 at listeners wanting warm, non-fatiguing sound for long sessions, and vocal, acoustic, jazz, and classical lovers.

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 Sennheiser HD 650, it's rolled-off, light sub-bass that often needs EQ.