Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sonos Ace Ultra: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Sonos Ace Ultra: 56% of 18 owners recommend it, vs 37% of 147 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)

37%of 147 owners recommend
37% recommend · 26% neutral · 37% don't
Owners praise
  • Comfort, the strength owners mention most often
  • Noise canceling that a good share of owners rate highly
  • Sound quality that plenty of owners enjoy
Owners complain about
  • A firmware update that removed switching between devices from the headphones themselves
  • Pairing failures, dropouts and multipoint trouble
  • Noise canceling that some owners find uneven, plus hiss, crackle, popping or creaking from the headphones
Full owner report →

Sonos Ace Ultra

56%of 18 owners recommend
56% recommend · 22% neutral · 22% don't
Owners praise
  • Clear sound upgrade over the original Ace, especially in the bass
  • Pulling TV audio from a Sonos soundbar to the headphones works well for some owners
  • Comfortable fit
Owners complain about
  • The TV audio link to a Sonos soundbar drops out, picks up static, or fails to connect for a few owners, and one returned a pair over it
  • A few owners still rate rivals higher, such as the AirPods Max 2 overall or Bowers & Wilkins headphones for music
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if
  • ✓Buyers who put comfort first for long listening sessions
  • ✓Buyers who want strong noise canceling alongside the comfort
  • ✓Anyone who tried Sony's XM6 and found the fit less comfortable
Skip it if
  • Anyone who switches between devices often and wants to do it from the headphones
  • Buyers who need a connection that never drops or needs pairing again
Get the Sonos Ace Ultra if
  • ✓Sonos soundbar owners who want to watch TV on headphones
  • ✓Original Ace owners who want more bass
Skip it if
  • Buyers counting on the soundbar link to work without dropouts from day one

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

“the Bose QC Ultra Generation 2 is on par with the Sony WH XM5's ANC.....which was the best I had ever experienced when I owned the Sony”
— smithy- on Reddit
“So much more comfy and roomier in the ear cups. My first pair of the Bose were defective / ANC balance was off. Second pair is working amazing, could immediately tell they weren’t broken. Give it a go I think you’ll love em”
— StopPopFox on Reddit
“Yes me too and I only got then for Christmas I sent them to Bose but still haven’t heard back. I am so frustrated I went and bought Sony Wh-1000XM6 that were on sale for $100 off.”
— Single-Detail168 on Reddit

What Sonos Ace Ultra owners say

“I think these sound leagues above the original Ace tho thanks to that custom dual-ring magnet motor. The bass is deep and tactile while the sound stage is far more wide and open in comparison to its predecessor.”
— @ventus77777-h on YouTube
“I have the Ace Ultra and i love them....especially with my Sonos Theatre system...i had the first ones and i like these ones more....no complaints whatsoever”
— @SpankyGolfaddict65 on YouTube
“do NOT buy these for TV audio swap. the feature sucks. source: i own these headphones.”
— @Beanz0911 on YouTube

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sonos Ace Ultra: frequently asked questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Sonos Ace Ultra better?

Real owners lean toward the Sonos Ace Ultra: 56% of 18 owners recommend it, vs 37% of 147 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 buyers who put comfort first for long listening sessions, and buyers who want strong noise canceling alongside the comfort.

Who should get the Sonos Ace Ultra?

Owners point the Sonos Ace Ultra at sonos soundbar owners who want to watch TV on headphones, and original Ace owners who want more bass.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is a firmware update that removed switching between devices from the headphones themselves. For the Sonos Ace Ultra, it's the TV audio link to a Sonos soundbar drops out, picks up static, or fails to connect for a few owners, and one returned a pair over it.