Bose’s new wired earbuds add noise cancellation over USB-C

Bose has returned to wired earbuds with the Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds, a USB-C model with active noise cancellation (ANC). The earbuds cost $99 and draw the small amount of power ANC needs from the USB-C port, so they do not require a separate battery pack or dongle.

The reviewer says the noise cancellation handles low-frequency sounds such as air conditioners and truck rumble well, but is less effective against conversation. It falls short of Bose’s Bluetooth earbuds, though the review describes its performance as solid for the price. The earbuds have two microphones per side; the QuietComfort Earbuds have three.

The wired connection supports low-latency audio and high-resolution playback at 24-bit/48kHz. The reviewer found the high-resolution version of The Beatles’ Rubber Soul on Qobuz a little more open and spacious than the CD-quality stream at 16-bit/44.1kHz. The three-button inline remote controls volume, playback and noise-canceling mode. The earbuds include three ear tip sizes, two sets of wings and an IPX4 rating.

The review also notes drawbacks: the 4.2-foot cable can snag on nearby objects, cable movement can create noise, and wind can interfere with the microphones used for noise cancellation or transparency mode. The source text ends mid-sentence while describing the wind issue.