Oh dear did Bose make a better earbud than APP? Bose “Ultra Open”

[JTK Awesome]

From Consumer Reports via Apple News. These went on sale today. If they work as advertised, this sounds like a better solution than plugging up your ears (APP never sealed for me) and electronically piping in the outside world…

Most earbuds sit in your ear canal, with a seal made by either silicone or foam eartips. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, on the other hand, are essentially tiny speakers that sit near your ear canal. Their lofty goal is to deliver music or podcasts, without isolating you from the things happening around you. Think package deliveries, screeching tires, a phone call from your boss.

It’s not a new ambition; audio companies have tried to accomplish this with everything from open-back headphones to noise-canceling earbuds with a transparency mode that uses a tiny outward-facing microphone to electronically blend in outside sound.

The $299 Bose Ultra Open earbuds attempt to offer a more organic solution to smooth the transition between Headphone Land and the Real World. Think of them as "anti-earbuds."

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds That Think They're Tiny Speakers — Consumer Reports

These high-end “anti-earbuds” are for listeners who don't like the feel of earbud tips

apple.news

 

[seggy]

Define better. Most earbud uses would be in situations that you wouldn't want to be in a situation where you're constantly trying to overpower ambient noise.

It would definitely be a better prospect than using the non-pro Airpods outside (especially given their slipperiness) but not better in comparison to the Pro. As for the Pro not sealing for you, well that's more of a you problem than a universal one.

For such a niche-case use I'd rather just get a pair of perfectly adequate Linkbuds for almost half the price and use that instead on the rare occasions I want an open wireless earphone.

 

[bousozoku]

For so long, I've gone with the notion that mobile sound (in the car or on foot) is just mobile sound and you can't recreate your home environment or a symphony hall.

These personal speakers sound like something every speaker or headphone company would want to achieve, rather than trying to plug someone's ears. If it had been another company, there would probably be praise now.

 

[scrane]

My (possibly more relevant) question is are the Ultra Opens better than the AirPods 3?

 

[raythompsontn]

I use my AirPods Pro in adaptive mode at basketball games. They cut down the noise substantially yet I can still hear people talk. I prefer the sealed ear canal.

 

[beach bum]

From Consumer Reports via Apple News. These went on sale today. If they work as advertised, this sounds like a better solution than plugging up your ears (APP never sealed for me) and electronically piping in the outside world…

Most earbuds sit in your ear canal, with a seal made by either silicone or foam eartips. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, on the other hand, are essentially tiny speakers that sit near your ear canal. Their lofty goal is to deliver music or podcasts, without isolating you from the things happening around you. Think package deliveries, screeching tires, a phone call from your boss.

It’s not a new ambition; audio companies have tried to accomplish this with everything from open-back headphones to noise-canceling earbuds with a transparency mode that uses a tiny outward-facing microphone to electronically blend in outside sound.

The $299 Bose Ultra Open earbuds attempt to offer a more organic solution to smooth the transition between Headphone Land and the Real World. Think of them as "anti-earbuds."

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds That Think They're Tiny Speakers — Consumer Reports

These high-end “anti-earbuds” are for listeners who don't like the feel of earbud tips

apple.news

I ordered and am in love and feel that the sound is on par with or just a little better than the AP3. These are definitely a keeper for me.

I cannot wear the AP 3rd gen and I seem to have developed an allergic reaction to the APP 2nd gen ear tips.

 

[jagolden]

These “open air” type earphones leak way too much sound.
I have a pair of sport open air buds. Even at moderate volume my wife can hear the leaked sound.Seems like a good idea but the reality is far from the hype.

 

[perezr10]

Usually the better the seal the deeper the bass. I’d think that this open design will suffer in the bass category.

 

[beach bum]

Usually the better the seal the deeper the bass. I’d think that this open design will suffer in the bass category.

Surprisingly, the bass is pretty decent once you set up in the app. I am really enjoying the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, and for me, money well spent.

 

[dennisjr631]

I loved them but ended up returning them. People said I sounded like I had a bag over my head during phone calls. Very disappointed.

 

[chrono1081]

I'd be surprised if Bose made a better anything. I have yet to hear a Bose product that sounds better than its competitors.

 

[scrane]

Yeah, but.... $300. !!!

 

[Miltz]

I can’t comment on these but I just the Bose QC earbuds ultra 2 weeks ago. They have better ANC than the APP 2 and better sound quality. I was quite surprised. I’m selling my APP 2 now.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Yeah, but.... $300. !!!

For about half that price (much of the time), I might as well get the Beats Fit Pro instead if you're using an iPhone, since the Fit Pro uses the H1 chip for faster connectivity with the iPhone.