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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
Choose the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra if you prioritize wireless convenience, active noise cancelling for quiet environments, and a comfortable fit great for long flights or commutes. They're also suitable for varied use, including music, TV, and gaming. However, for the ultimate music listening experience with clearer, more expansive sound, opt for the HifiMan Arya Stealth. Note that the Aryas require additional investment in a dedicated amplifier for best performance, lack wireless capability, noise cancelling, and aren't ideal for exercise or travel given their open design and larger size. 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 Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
- Best in class for music
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.3
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is very good.
Gaming
9.3
7.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for gaming, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
8.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.
Battery
29.0 Hours
N/A
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery.
Cost
$429
$649
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has a price of $429 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $649.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.3
5.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
9.0
9.4
The HifiMan Arya Stealth and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones are both excellent for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and HifiMan Arya Stealth both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones | HifiMan Arya Stealth |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $649 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | November 1, 2018 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 10/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 29 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 255 Grams | 408.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy."
HifiMan Arya Stealth
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."
Get a great deal on the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones or the HifiMan Arya Stealth
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.
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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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