Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sennheiser HD 660S2: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Sennheiser HD 660S2: 61% of 231 owners recommend it, vs 36% of 434 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)

36%of 434 owners recommend

36% recommend · 24% neutral · 40% don't

Owners praise

Comfort over long flights and full work days, including for glasses wearers
Ear cups deep enough that ears sit inside them rather than being pressed
Noise canceling that buries steady noise like engines, fans and road hum

Owners complain about

A background hiss or white noise floor with nothing playing, audible to many owners though not all
Popping and thumping when walking, running, or when a door slams nearby
A firmware update that removed switching devices from the headphones themselves

Full owner report →

Sennheiser HD 660S2

61%of 231 owners recommend

61% recommend · 20% neutral · 19% don't

Owners praise

Lush, natural mids and vocals with classic Sennheiser timbre
Deeper, richer bass with much better sub-bass extension than the older 6x0
Excellent imaging and soundstage for gaming and movies

Owners complain about

Dark, veiled or muffled-sounding presentation
Loses the forward midrange magic of the cheaper 600/650

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

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

✓Frequent flyers who want quiet on a plane and a case that fits a carry-on
✓Glasses wearers and anyone whose head hurts in tighter-clamping headphones
✓All-day desk wear where the headphones go on in the morning and stay on
✓Listeners who like a full bass-forward sound and will spend a minute in the app

Skip it if

Anyone sensitive to background noise during podcasts, quiet passages or silence
Walkers, runners and commuters on rough roads, where the noise canceling pops

Get the Sennheiser HD 660S2 if

✓HD6x0 owners wanting more bass extension and treble sparkle
✓All-day listeners who want a warm, fatigue-free sound
✓Gaming, movie, and music all-rounder seekers
✓Metal, rock, and EDM fans wanting fuller low end

Skip it if

Those wanting a wide, expansive soundstage over intimate presentation
Purists chasing the classic 600/650 midrange, which feels recessed

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

“I’m loving both Bose models though.”
— Zealousideal_Bid2690 on Reddit

“Its very good. quality is top notch”
— Adorable_Toe79 on Reddit

“I had the Ultra headphones which caused severe skin irritation. I got rid of them as the only solution was buying third party ear pads which would have changed the sound.”
— TheLawPlace on Reddit

What Sennheiser HD 660S2 owners say

“I've had it for 5 years now and I still consider it the best of the 600 series”
— @o.f.ftrack3444 on YouTube

“They are my go-to primary headphones.”
— @scottlowell493 on YouTube

“At $250-$350 I would consider giving these a go at $600 they are a pass.”
— @mindhead1 on YouTube

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sennheiser HD 660S2: frequently asked questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Sennheiser HD 660S2 better?

Real owners lean toward the Sennheiser HD 660S2: 61% of 231 owners recommend it, vs 36% of 434 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 flyers who want quiet on a plane and a case that fits a carry-on, and glasses wearers and anyone whose head hurts in tighter-clamping headphones.

Who should get the Sennheiser HD 660S2?

Owners point the Sennheiser HD 660S2 at hD6x0 owners wanting more bass extension and treble sparkle, and all-day listeners who want a warm, fatigue-free sound.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is a background hiss or white noise floor with nothing playing, audible to many owners though not all. For the Sennheiser HD 660S2, it's dark, veiled or muffled-sounding presentation.