Audio Discount: Bose QuietComfort Headphones Hit Record Lows

Bose has cut prices on its QuietComfort headphone line to their lowest recorded levels. The first-generation model, which has been on the market since its initial release, is currently listed for $169.99. This price point represents a $190 discount from its standard retail cost. The second-generation model, introduced in August, is available for $199. That figure is only $20 higher than the previous all-time low for that specific version.

These discounts are available across multiple retail channels. Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose’s direct online store are all selling the discounted hardware. The first-generation unit is sold in a single configuration, while the second-generation model is available in multiple color options. Both models are currently in stock at these locations.

The first-generation headphones continue to offer core features that appeal to budget-conscious buyers. The device provides 24 hours of battery life and effective noise cancellation. It supports multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to maintain simultaneous connections to two separate devices. The physical design is lightweight and foldable, which reduces the size of the package for travel.

The second-generation model costs $30 more but includes technical upgrades. It supports lossless audio transmission via a USB-C connection. John Higgins, a reviewer for The Verge, evaluated the audio performance of the newer unit. He stated that the default sound profile was the best he had heard from Bose. Higgins ranked this profile above the company's flagship QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, which sells for $449.

Higgins identified one issue with the second-generation model. He noted that vocals sounded muted when the headphones were first used. He found that adjusting the three-band equalizer in the Bose companion app corrected this problem. He also compared the physical comfort of the two models. Higgins considered the QuietComfort Headphones more comfortable than the pricier Ultra line. He attributed this difference to the absence of what he described as eardrum suck, a sensation of ear pressure often associated with strong active noise cancellation.

The current pricing places both generations near their historical minimums. The first-generation unit matches its lowest price ever recorded. The second-generation unit is within $20 of its historical low. Buyers can select between the two models based on their need for lossless audio support and specific comfort preferences.