Bose QuietComfort Earbuds New Firmware 2.0.7 Affects ANC! 🤦🏻‍♂️

TL;DR

The Bose QC earbuds firmware update improves features and call quality but maintains similar sound characteristics.

Transcript

hey guys it's been a few weeks since this update rolled out for the bose qc earbuds this is update number 2.0.7 now many of you asked me to test this update to see if it does anything to the bose's performance other than adding some pretty neat features according to the update list a feature called modes have been added now mode is like anc and tra... Read More

Key Insights

• 💝 The Bose QC earbuds’ latest update added useful features like modes for active noise cancellation and a basic equalizer, enhancing user experience.
• 😘 Call quality showed some changes, but the overall effectiveness of noise cancellation remained among the best available, particularly for low frequencies.
• 👂 In terms of sound quality, users reported no significant changes between firmware versions, indicating existing strengths and weaknesses persist.
• 😫 Latency improvements were minimal based on tests across several devices, contradicting the expectations set by the update.
• 👤 The earbuds' comfort and design continue to provide advantages over competitors, though some users might find the case size inconvenient.
• 🛬 The firmware update could help Bose regain appeal against rivals like Sony, especially in noise cancellation performance, despite its limitations in other areas.
• ❓ Continued software updates could be critical for Bose to compete effectively in the increasingly competitive noise-canceling market.

Questions & Answers

Q: What new features were added in the Bose QC earbuds update?

The update introduced a new "modes" feature that allows users to toggle between different active noise cancellation and transparency presets easily. Additionally, it added a simple three-band graphic equalizer, making sound customization accessible to users, although not as advanced as competitors like Sony.

Q: How does the update affect call quality when using the earbuds in noisy environments?

The update resulted in a noticeable change in call quality, with the user's voice sounding thinner and a slight rolling off of mids. However, the active noise reduction capabilities for background noise remained unchanged. This raised mixed feelings about the impact of the firmware update on call clarity.

Q: Were there any improvements in noise cancellation with the new firmware?

Noise cancellation performance remained largely unchanged, with the firm belief that the Bose QC earbuds still rank among the best in low-frequency noise cancellation. The latest update did allow a slight increase in mid-range noise sensitivity, but the difference is subtle and requires careful listening to detect.

Q: How did the firmware update impact Bluetooth latency on various devices?

The update claimed to improve audio synchronization; however, the testing indicated little to no improvement in Bluetooth latency for gaming scenarios on both iPhone and Android devices. The encoding delay remains consistent, particularly for real-time content, although video apps generally handle synchronization well.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The latest firmware update (2.0.7) for the Bose QC earbuds introduces new features like modes for active noise cancellation and enhanced transparency, along with a basic graphic equalizer.

• Improvements in Bluetooth audio lag and call quality were tested; call quality showed mixed results, while noise cancellation remained exceptional but slightly let in more mid-range noise.

• Despite the updates, the sound quality remained unchanged compared to the previous firmware, and the Bose QC earbuds still face stiff competition in terms of battery life and portability.