Premium audiophile gear maker Bose launched several new products in the Philippines on November 8. We were invited to the launch event at a hip rooftop bar in Makati City and tried out three of their products including the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Here are our first impressions.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the brand’s flagship cans for this year, and that becomes apparent when you see them in person. As expected of top-of-the-line Bluetooth headphones, the QuietComfort Ultra features good sound quality, impressive active noise cancellation, and a premium, sleek design. They are also the first headphones to use Bose’s Immersive Audio spatial technology, which uses head tracking to produce directional audio.
What is Bose’s Immersive Audio? Essentially, Immersive Audio allows listeners to simulate fixing the direction of where sound is coming from in their headphones. In Still mode, the direction of whatever it is you’re listening to will change depending on the movement of your head. The experience is akin to listening to a speaker or being in the middle of a concert, where a slight pan to the left or right changes the way you spatially perceive audio. Meanwhile, Motion mode locks the source to your front.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are now available at Bose outlets for Php 27,900. They come in either black or what Bose calls “White Smoke.” A version of the Ultras without Immersive Audio, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones, can be bought for Php 22,900 and come in an additional colorway: Cypress Green.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Earbuds
Think of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds as the compact version of their headphones counterpart. They still feature the great active noise cancellation Bose is known for as well as the company’s Immersive Audio tech. Of course, what sets the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Earbuds apart is their size, which can offer more mobility and comfort to some. The earbuds are also rated IPX4, making them sweat- and water-resistant.
Those planning to pick up the Ultras Earbuds will be glad to know that they’re cheaper than their bigger brothers at Php 19,500. Just like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the earbuds offer up to a day’s worth of battery life and are available at any of the company’s outlets in black and White Smoke.
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar with Immersive Audio and Dolby Atmos was also launched Wednesday, but no demo unit was available at the event. It goes for Php 65,000, according to Bose’s website.
A Shift in Strategy
Bose’s new headphones, earbuds, and soundbar are apparently part of a global re-strategizing of the company that’s been long in the making. Eleksis VP for Business Development and Operations Willie So told us that Bose is currently trying to go for a younger base with its new products. This shift explained the venue of the launch – the Fun Roof Bar with its playful aesthetic – as well as a change to what So described as a more creative marketing approach.
Despite its new goals, Bose has seemingly not forgotten its roots. Bose’s new products still carry the elegance and gravitas of a company that’s known for catering to a niche market of audio enthusiasts. This, combined with a supposedly more affordable price range, could be what draws in Bose’s new target market.
