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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for an audiophile-grade listening experience and are willing to invest in higher-priced headphones, the Audeze LCD 2 Classic may be your choice, as they offer superior sound quality with a planar magnetic design that is favored for clarity and detail. However, they are open-back, significantly larger, and not portable, better suited for quiet home environments. In contrast, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer active noise canceling, are much more portable, and are suitable for commuting and office use, but they won’t match the sound quality pinnacle of the Audeze. Additionally, the Bose earbuds provide the convenience of wireless use and integrate well with mobile devices. If budget is a concern and versatility in use case is key, the Bose earbuds may be the more appropriate choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audeze LCD 2 Classic
- Excellent for music
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.2
8.6
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is excellent for music, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good.
Gaming
7.3
8.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
6.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.9
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze LCD 2 Classic is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic does not have a battery. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$799
$249
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has a price of $799 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds costs $249.
Build Quality
10.0
9.0
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic has best in class build quality, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has excellent build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.8
5.1
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Audeze LCD 2 Classic are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
8.6
8.1
The Audeze LCD 2 Classic and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Audeze LCD 2 Classic and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze LCD 2 Classic | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $249 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2017 | September 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.9/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 21 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.2/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 635 Grams | 7.7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audeze LCD 2 Classic
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Dig into reviews and images
The Greatest Song
Greatest Song Team | August 2023
"These headphones outdo rival planar magnetic headphones, especially in terms of dynamics. Compared to the Hifiman Ananda or the Hifiman Edition XS there is noticeably more slam in the sound, particularly in the bass. The LCD-2C gives you a fantastic sense of quiet dynamics with crystalline precision. This is evident also in our clinical tests, where it’s just easier to understand spoken text at very low volumes."
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
Get a great deal on the Audeze LCD 2 Classic or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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