Sunday night, users of Meta’s AI assistant Muse started getting a strange error message when they tried to buy goods on Amazon. As spotted by GeekWire, the error message read: “Continued access by an unauthorized AI agent violates Amazon’s Conditions of Use, to which our customers have agreed.”

In other words, Muse isn’t welcome as a shopper — and anyone trying to buy something on Amazon through the AI agent will have to find it somewhere else.

It’s easy to see the block as a tête-à-tête between tech giants. Amazon has its own cohort of foundation models, after all, along with one of the most popular inference platforms on the internet. As long as they’re under no legal obligation to open the doors to Muse, why would they?

But there are also substantive reasons Amazon might not want to be in the agentic commerce business just yet. If Muse makes a bad order, Amazon is going to be the one to clean it up — dealing with both the angry customer and the angry vendor. Muse has one of the lower hallucination rates, as AI models go, but it’s still pretty far from zero. Even if Amazon sees an opportunity in agent-driven commerce, they may want to wait a few more release cycles before rolling anything out.

OPPO has launched the K14 Lite in India, adding a new budget option to its K Series lineup. The smartphone focuses on long battery life, smooth everyday use, and a bright display. It packs a 7,000mAh battery and a 120Hz display, along with the Unisoc T7250 processor. The K14 Lite also brings IP64 protection, reverse charging, and several AI-powered camera features.

OPPO K14 Lite Specifications and Features

Battery life is one of the OPPO K14 Lite’s main highlights. It carries a 7,000mAh battery designed to last through long daily use. OPPO says the battery retains over 80% capacity after 1,800 charging cycles. It can reportedly deliver up to 26.84 hours of YouTube playback. PUBG Mobile gaming can run for 13.19 hours. The phone supports 15W charging and reverse wired charging for other compatible devices. It runs on the Unisoc T7250 octa-core processor with 4GB LPDDR4X RAM. The phone also gets 64GB UFS 2.2 storage and a 13,700 mm² graphite cooling area.

For viewing, the K14 Lite features a 17.15cm HD+ LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The display reaches up to 900 nits of peak brightness for clearer outdoor viewing. OPPO also adds Splash Touch, Oily-Hand Touch, and Glove Touch support. The device comes with a 13 MP autofocus rear camera and a 5 MP front camera. Users can choose Portrait mode, Night mode, and Time-lapse mode for different photo styles. The phone also has AI Eraser, AI Clear Face, and AI Smart Image Matting 2.0. This phone is splash-proof and dustproof, with an IP64 certification. It also has an attractive Feather Textured Finish.

Price and Availability in India

OPPO has released its new phone, K14 Lite, in India starting at Rs 16,999. This price holds for the 4GB + 64GB storage option. Customers will get an instant discount of Rs 1,000 through the selected banking offers. Thus, the effective price becomes Rs 15,999. The offer includes a 3-month No-Cost EMI. It is available on the OPPO e-store and Flipkart in Stone Brown and Feather Purple.and Flipkart in Stone Brown and Feather Purple.

I was not able to test the AI failure detection, as none of my 30-plus prints failed (aside from a couple of mismeasurements on my end), but I did have occasion to view through the 1080p camera—if you download the free Bambu Handy app, it will store a little time-lapse video of your object being printed, which is fascinating to watch.

In Living Color

The “Combo” in the name refers to the Automatic Material System (AMS) that sits on top of the printer. (You can also buy it separately at $299.) It holds four spools of filament that auto-feed to your project—a game changer if you’re printing something with multiple colors. Without it, a multicolor print would necessitate stopping the print, removing the spool of filament, and installing a new one on the side. For the P2S, the AMS also has the ability to dry the filament—this removes any absorbed ambient moisture that would create steam when heated and mess up your print.

The AMS add-on allows for seamless multicolor prints.

Photograph: Kat Merck

I tested the P2S on the West Coast in late summer, when the humidity was very low, so my filament stayed below 40 percent relative humidity, according to the built-in hygrometer—it didn’t need drying. However, if you live in a humid region, springing for the AMS will be a massive time-saver.

With the P1S, if you needed to swap out a different nozzle, it was something of an ordeal—you basically have to unplug everything and take apart the assembly with screws. On the P2S, the front of the nozzle head is magnetic and pops right off—simply unclip the old nozzle and clip in the new one. Another massive improvement if you find yourself swapping nozzles often.

The P1S’s automatic nozzle cleaning function that “poops” filament blobs out the back of the machine is still in effect on the P2S. I’d been warned, but I was still surprised to see the amount of detritus it left on the floor, especially during multi-color prints. I highly recommend that a “poop chute” or collection basket be one of your first prints. (And there are plenty of fun designs for using the waste filament blobs once they’ve accumulated, from creative games to a “poop Atlas” filament waste world map.)

Do You Really Need One?

Yes, unless you need a dual-nozzle printer or a commercial-grade unit that can also laser cut and engrave—features this printer doesn’t offer. The ability to print and customize useful household and garage objects, art projects, and toys easily and quickly—with minimal fuss—makes the P2S worth every penny. This is doubly so if you have some basic engineering skills, as importing files into Bambu Studio is a cinch.

Bambu Lab-brand filaments start at about $15 a roll with spool. Note that we flagged some app inconsistencies when using non-Bambu filaments with the P1S, but I did not have any non-Bambu filaments on hand to test in the P2S, so I can’t vouch for whether this issue has been fixed.

Adding an electric motor to a kayak, inflatable, canoe, or compact fishing boat can provide powered propulsion without requiring the owner to buy a purpose-built electric vessel. For some boaters, that may mean an easier journey across a lake or less paddling between fishing spots. For others, the added weight, limited runtime, and need to recharge may outweigh the convenience.

The decision depends less on whether electric propulsion is available and more on how the boat is normally used. Short, predictable outings

close to shore present different requirements from long journeys, heavy loads, or trips involving strong currents and changing weather.

That possibility is especially relevant in a boating market filled with existing vessels. Pre-owned boats accounted for 79.7% of U.S. unit sales in 2025, according to figures from the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Many owners considering electric propulsion are therefore deciding whether it can work with a boat they already have.

Small Boats Make Interesting Retrofit Candidates

Compact recreational craft generally require less propulsion than boats intended for high speeds or long-distance travel. An angler moving between nearby fishing spots, for example, has different power needs from someone expecting to travel under motor power for several hours.

Electric motors may be particularly useful when they supplement, rather than replace, the boat’s usual form of propulsion. A kayak owner might paddle for much of an outing and use the motor to cross open stretches of water. On a small inflatable, electric propulsion can provide another option without the need to carry gasoline.

Boats that spend much of their time in storage may also benefit from removable equipment. A detachable motor can be left at home when it is unnecessary and removed before the boat is transported or stored. However, owners still need to consider whether the mounting point, battery, cables, and controls are suitable for their particular craft.

Power Ratings Do Not Tell the Whole Story

Comparing electric and gasoline outboards is not always straightforward. Gas motors are commonly described in horsepower, while electric systems may list watts, kilowatts, voltage, thrust, and battery capacity. None of those figures alone reveals exactly how a motor will perform on a particular boat.

The same motor can behave differently depending on the boat’s total weight, hull design, load distribution, and operating conditions. Wind, waves, and current can increase the amount of power needed, while a

heavily loaded craft may move more slowly or use its available energy faster.

Manufacturers are increasingly designing removable electric systems for compact boats. For example, the Argoseeker electric outboard from LiTime comes in configurations for different sizes of recreational craft, with separate LiFePO₄ battery options and a clamp-on mounting design. Products of this kind illustrate the broader range of retrofit options now available, although buyers still need to match any motor and battery system to the boat’s dimensions, weight limits, mounting arrangement, and expected use.

For that reason, the boat and the planned journey are more useful starting points than an isolated power figure on a product page.

Runtime Requires Realistic Planning

Battery capacity helps estimate how long an electric motor may run, but maximum theoretical runtime rarely reflects a complete day on the water.

Energy consumption changes with motor speed, boat weight, weather, current, and the efficiency of the overall system.

A motor operating below maximum power may run considerably longer than it would at full output. Even so, owners should allow a margin for the return journey and for conditions that could require more power than expected. Manufacturer estimates can provide a starting point, but they should not be treated as a guarantee of range in every situation.

More capacity can extend runtime, but larger batteries also add weight and occupy space. Those compromises become especially noticeable on a kayak, canoe, or compact inflatable, where carrying capacity and available room are limited. A setup that promises a long runtime may be impractical if it makes the boat difficult to balance, launch, transport, or paddle.

Installation Affects Handling

Electrical compatibility is only one part of a successful retrofit. The boat also needs an appropriate mounting point, and the combined weight of the motor, battery, and related equipment must remain within its limits. Owners should follow the boat and motor manufacturers’ guidance rather than assuming a universal mount will suit every hull.

Weight distribution matters on small craft because even a relatively compact battery or motor can change how the boat sits in the water. Concentrating equipment at the bow or stern may affect stability and handling, so the battery’s position should be considered alongside that of the passenger, gear, and motor.

Control placement can influence the layout as well. Some systems use a conventional tiller, while others separate the controls from the motor. The appropriate arrangement depends on where the operator can sit comfortably while maintaining balance and controlling the boat safely.

Charging Becomes Part of Trip Planning

Gasoline-powered outboards can be refueled relatively quickly wherever fuel is available. Electric propulsion introduces a different routine based

on battery capacity, charging time, and access to a suitable power source.

That routine may be easy to accommodate for someone taking a kayak to a nearby lake. The battery can be charged at home, used for intermittent propulsion during the outing, and recharged after the boat returns.

Longer or more remote journeys require greater caution. The operator needs enough usable capacity for the planned route, the return trip, and any unexpected changes in weather or water conditions. Carrying a larger or spare battery may extend the available range, but it also increases weight and takes up space.

Boaters should also check local rules before installing or using a motor. Adding powered propulsion can affect how a craft is classified, registered, or permitted in some locations, even if it was originally designed as a paddle boat.

Usage Determines Whether the Tradeoff Works

Electric retrofits tend to make the most sense for compact boats used over moderate, predictable distances, particularly when the motor supplements paddling or provides occasional assistance. Quiet operation, removable equipment, and the absence of onboard gasoline may add to their appeal for some recreational users.

The tradeoffs become more significant when a boat carries heavy loads, routinely travels long distances, encounters demanding conditions, or spends extended periods away from charging. In those situations, a conventional outboard or another propulsion arrangement may remain more practical.

Retrofitting does not eliminate the need to assess the boat as a complete system. Motor output, battery capacity, weight, mounting, controls, water conditions, and charging access all affect whether electric propulsion will be useful. For the right type of outing, however, an electric motor can add powered assistance to a small boat without fundamentally changing how the owner uses it.

Digital Trends partners with external contributors. All contributor content is reviewed by the Digital Trends editorial staff.

While Silicon Valley is spending billions to make AI agents shop for us, the man who pioneered Apple’s retail stores thinks the industry is overestimating how much of shopping people will hand over to machines — and believes physical stores will continue to thrive.

Ron Johnson, 66, has heard predictions about the demise of physical retail before. He joined Apple in 2000 to build its retail business as online shopping was beginning to take off, and went on to help create a store network that became central to how Apple sells its products and connects with customers.

“AI is a new technology that will improve the online shopping experience,” Johnson said in an interview. “But I don’t know that it’s going to change which way we shop.”

Johnson’s view comes as some of the world’s biggest tech companies are trying to push AI deeper into shopping, betting that agents can automate more of how we find and buy items — a concept commonly called agentic commerce. Google is making that push with its Universal Commerce Protocol, a standard designed to help AI agents take consumers from product discovery to checkout. OpenAI, meanwhile, is turning ChatGPT into a shopping destination where users can research, compare, and, in some cases, even buy products without leaving the chatbot.

Asked whether he could imagine someone letting an agent choose and buy a $1,000 or $2,000 laptop without ever visiting a website or store, Johnson was unequivocal: “Honestly, nobody’s going to do that.”

Buying a laptop, he argued, is too personal a purchase to simply delegate to an AI agent. Buyers want to feel its weight, see the display and decide which size works for them. AI may narrow the choices, Johnson told TechCrunch. He added that many consumers would still want to experience the product themselves before spending that kind of money.

“AI will never be able to have you physically experience a product,” Johnson said. Instead, he expects agents to better inform consumers before they walk into a store. “They’ll just become more informed shoppers when they come to the store.”

Johnson’s conviction stems from a decision Apple made more than two decades ago. Apple’s physical stores, he said, were designed not only as places to buy Macs, but also as places where people could try products, learn how to use them, and return for help when something went wrong.

Some of those bets are revisited in Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple’s Genius, Johnson’s new book about building Apple’s retail operations alongside Steve Jobs. Competitors, he said, borrowed Apple’s glass-heavy design, open layouts, and even versions of the Genius Bar, but often missed the people.

“The secret sauce for Apple has always been its people, the people in the store, and how they treat the customer,” Johnson said.

Apple Store employees are not paid on commission, Johnson said, unlike the sales culture common across much of retail. The idea, he said, was to remove the pressure to sell and instead have employees figure out what a customer actually needed.

After leaving Apple, Johnson took over J.C. Penney in 2011 with an ambitious plan to reinvent the struggling department-store chain. He was ousted less than two years later after sales plunged.

Johnson now says he tried to change too much, too quickly, without bringing employees and customers along. Apple’s stores had effectively been a startup that evolved alongside the company’s products. J.C. Penney, on the other hand, was a turnaround that required a different approach.

“I applied a startup mentality to what needed to be a turnaround transformation,” he recalled.

Johnson later returned to the startup world, founding Enjoy Technology, an e-commerce company that brought technology products and setup services directly to customers’ homes. The startup filed for bankruptcy in 2022 and sold substantially all of its assets to Asurion.

For all his skepticism about how AI will reshape shopping, Johnson remains bullish on the technology itself. “I’m a real believer in AI. I’m an AI optimist,” he said.

He believes Jobs would have embraced AI, too, but not as a substitute for human judgment. “There’s no substitute for human intuition,” Johnson said, recalling Jobs’ belief in bringing smart people together to debate problems and find new ways of looking at them.

In late 2025, German pro audio brand Neumann expanded its Studio Monitor line with several DSP-powered subwoofers. For 2026, Neumann is following up with the KH 310 II and KH 350, two next-generation 3-way powered studio monitors that combine decades of acoustic expertise with a new DSP platform and improved integration. Both are designed to deliver higher performance, greater flexibility, and the accuracy that has made Neumann a reference in professional recording, mixing, and mastering studios worldwide.

The line separating professional studio monitors from high-end home audio has also become considerably less rigid in recent years. Powered loudspeakers, DSP, room correction, and increasingly sophisticated digital connectivity have made products originally aimed at engineers and producers far more practical for home studios and serious two-channel listening systems.

For listeners who value accuracy, controlled dispersion, and removing a stack of amplifiers and boxes from the equation, a monitor such as the KH 310 II or KH 350 is no longer something that automatically belongs behind a mixing console. That crossover makes Neumann’s latest models relevant to a much wider audience than their “studio monitor” label might suggest.

Building on Tradition, Designed for What Comes Next

The introduction of the KH 310 II and KH 350 marks the latest step in the evolution of Neumann’s monitor portfolio. All Neumann KH loudspeakers follow the same core design philosophy: high linearity, low distortion, and adaptability to the acoustic environment. That consistency also allows models across the KH line to be combined in surround and immersive audio systems.

Neumann’s KH series continues the legacy of German loudspeaker pioneer Klein + Hummel, whose monitoring solutions became a reference for broadcasters and recording studios across Europe. Klein + Hummel helped establish the modern concept of powered studio monitors with active crossovers as early as 1967 with the legendary OY 3-way monitor, the original predecessor to today’s KH 310 II.

The KH 310 II and KH 350 combine in-house-designed drivers, powerful amplification, and advanced 32-bit DSP processing to deliver consistent performance and reliable translation while addressing different monitoring requirements. The KH 310 II advances one of the industry’s established studio references, the KH 310 A, while the KH 350 is a new full-range monitor designed to deliver greater low-frequency extension and output for larger rooms.

Although both models share Neumann’s core acoustic and DSP technologies, they are aimed at different applications. The KH 310 II builds on a familiar nearfield and midfield platform, while the larger KH 350 is intended for environments that require higher output levels and deeper bass response without immediately relying on a separate subwoofer.

Both monitors support Neumann’s MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment room correction solution and include both analog and AES3 coaxial digital connectivity. They build on the midrange resolution of the original KH 310 A while offering lower distortion, nearly twice the amplifier power, and tighter production tolerances for greater consistency between speakers.

The result is more precise imaging, predictable performance, and easier integration across stereo, surround, and immersive audio systems. MA 1 support also gives users the ability to adapt each monitor to the acoustic characteristics of the room, an increasingly important feature in both professional studios and high-performance home listening environments.

“The KH 310 has earned an exceptional reputation among recording, mixing, and mastering engineers worldwide,” says Roman Kramer, Product Manager at Neumann. “With the KH 310 II, we worked long and hard to retain everything users love about the original while elevating performance in virtually every area. At the same time, the KH 350 opens new possibilities for engineers who need greater low-frequency authority and the flexibility to work confidently across both nearfield and midfield environments.”

The KH 310 II and KH 350 both incorporate Neumann’s 3-inch soft-dome midrange driver, precision 1-inch tweeter, and advanced 8.25-inch woofer, supported by DSP processing. This combination is designed to improve transparency, phase coherence, and overall accuracy for critical monitoring and production decisions.

“The KH 310 II and KH 350 share the same acoustic DNA and commitment to truthful sound reproduction,” says Stephan Mauer, Product Management Director at Neumann. “Today’s engineers work across a wide range of rooms, formats, and production styles. Our goal was to provide two solutions that deliver the same trusted reference standard while allowing users to choose the monitoring concept that best supports their workflow.”

KH 310 II and KH 350 Shared Features

• In-house-designed custom drivers
• Exceptional midrange resolution from a dedicated 3-inch soft-dome driver
• Advanced precision through 32-bit DSP processing
• Compatibility with Neumann’s MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment
• Analog and AES3 coaxial (AES3id) digital connectivity
• 585 watts of amplifier power with high energy efficiency
• Consistent voicing across stereo, surround, and immersive systems
• Tight production tolerances for precise imaging and multichannel installations

KH 310 II 

The KH 310 II is the successor to one of professional audio’s most trusted studio monitors, the original KH 310 A, which earned its reputation through accuracy, exceptional midrange clarity, and precise low-frequency reproduction.

The new KH 310 II retains the sealed-cabinet design prized for its fast transient response, low group delay, and tightly controlled bass reproduction. Neumann’s celebrated 3-inch soft-dome midrange driver also remains unchanged, preserving the natural tonal balance and vocal clarity that helped establish the KH 310 A as a studio reference.

Beyond those similarities, the KH 310 II has been extensively re-engineered. A newly developed woofer, increased amplifier power, advanced DSP processing, improved linearity, and lower distortion combine to deliver a substantial performance upgrade. Despite producing a maximum SPL that is 5 dB higher than its predecessor, the KH 310 II retains the same cabinet dimensions as the KH 310 A, simplifying integration into existing studios and installations.

By preserving the strengths of the original platform while updating its amplification, DSP, woofer, and overall performance, the KH 310 II carries Neumann’s established design philosophy forward without abandoning what made the original so successful.

KH 310 II Highlights

• Sealed-cabinet design for fast transient response, low group delay, and tightly controlled bass
• Optimized for critical nearfield monitoring
• Lower distortion and improved linearity
• 5 dB higher maximum SPL than the KH 310 A
• Identical cabinet dimensions for straightforward replacement in existing studios and installations

KH 350

 The KH 350 introduces a new monitoring option within Neumann’s studio monitor lineup.

Designed for both nearfield and midfield applications, the KH 350 combines Neumann’s established midrange and high-frequency platform with a bass-reflex enclosure engineered for deeper low-frequency extension, greater physical impact, and full-range performance.

With a cabinet nearly twice the size of the KH 310 II and a vertical driver arrangement, the KH 350 is intended for larger listening environments that require higher SPL capability and greater listening-distance flexibility.

A large MMD waveguide provides improved directivity control across the frequency range, helping to maintain stable imaging, reliable translation, and consistent in-room performance. That also makes the KH 350 well suited for use as an LCR or surround loudspeaker in immersive audio systems.

With low-frequency extension down to 27 Hz (±6 dB), increased output capability, and support for longer listening distances, the KH 350 is designed to deliver the scale and authority required for modern music production, film scoring, post-production, broadcast, and immersive audio workflows.

Positioned between the KH 310 II and the flagship KH 420, the KH 350 gives recording and mixing engineers a new option for deeper bass extension, higher output, and greater placement flexibility without sacrificing the accuracy expected from Neumann’s KH series.

KH 350 Highlights

• Bass-reflex design for extended low-frequency response
• Suitable for both nearfield and midfield monitoring
• Large MMD waveguide for more precise directivity control
• Greater low-frequency authority with full-range performance
• Optimized for larger control rooms and immersive audio applications

Specifications Comparison

The Bottom Line

The KH 310 II and KH 350 continue Neumann’s long-established approach to professional monitoring, but the combination of built-in amplification, 32-bit DSP, digital connectivity, controlled directivity, and integration with MA 1 makes these considerably more flexible than traditional powered studio monitors.

The differences between the two new models are equally important. The KH 310 II is the more compact sealed design, optimized for critical mixing, mastering, and nearfield monitoring where transient response and controlled bass behavior take priority. The larger KH 350 uses a bass-reflex enclosure, extends down to 27 Hz (±6 dB), and offers greater output and listening-distance flexibility for larger control rooms, film production, bass-heavy music, and immersive audio installations.

What makes these particularly interesting is the system approach. Rather than treating DSP and room correction as optional features bolted onto otherwise conventional powered speakers, Neumann has designed the KH range to work as an integrated monitoring ecosystem. Anyone spending this much on the KH 310 II or KH 350 should seriously consider budgeting for Neumann’s MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment system as well. Buying reference monitors at this level and ignoring what the room is doing to them rather defeats the purpose.

Competition is hardly nonexistent. The Focal Trio6 ST6, which we have covered extensively through Focal’s professional monitoring initiatives, is priced at roughly $3,499 per monitor and offers a very different three-way approach, including its unusual Dual Focus modes. Genelec’s 8341A is another obvious rival, combining a three-way coaxial design with DSP and Genelec’s GLM room-calibration platform, although its current $3,675-per-speaker price puts it slightly above the KH 350.

JBL’s 708P also belongs in the broader conversation, particularly for studios that want DSP, substantial output, and controlled directivity without spending Neumann money. At its current $1,899-per-speaker price, however, it is no longer a direct price competitor. Amphion’s One25A is another studio reference we have covered, but at $14,900 per pair it occupies a considerably more expensive neighborhood.

At $2,999 each for the KH 310 II and $3,599 each for the KH 350, neither model is remotely inexpensive, especially once you multiply that across an immersive system. But Neumann is offering the amplification, DSP, digital signal path, room-alignment capability, and loudspeaker engineering as one coordinated platform. For professional users—and increasingly for serious home listeners who would rather eliminate amplifiers, passive crossovers, and some of the usual system-matching nonsense—that is the real attraction.

Price & Availability

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The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) arrive in the middle of an ANC arms race that has been going on for more than a decade. Bose and Sony have spent years battling for noise-cancelling supremacy, and almost every new flagship has pushed ANC performance to new heights. Unfortunately, the same can be said for the price tags.

The original Bose QC1 sold for $299 when it was released. Today, the top-of-the-line QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are $449. That buys you a ton of features, excellent sound, and some of the best noise cancellation available, but what if you don’t need all of it? An infrequent traveler may have a hard time spending $449 for a single flight each year, while someone just starting out can buy a lot of ramen with the $150 difference.

So do those buyers settle for a previous-generation flagship at a reduced price, or step down to a current model that still offers the core features they actually need at a more reasonable tariff?

Buying used has always been a mixed bag with electronics. Batteries don’t last forever, warranties are usually short, and the realistic lifespan of many consumer electronics products isn’t substantially longer. The better spend may be a sub-flagship model like the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen).

Some readers will recognize the QuietComfort name as Bose’s flagship line, but that distinction now belongs to the model carrying the Ultra suffix. The QuietComfort without it sits in the middle of Bose’s lineup, retails for $359, and can sometimes be found for less. Watching the Black Friday sales is always a good play this time of year.

The Bose QuietComfort has long occupied that middle ground. It isn’t as flashy or as cutting-edge as its more expensive sibling, but it has traditionally focused on the features most buyers actually use. When Bose introduces new technology in its flagship models, some of it inevitably trickles down a generation or two later.

That brings us to the newest QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen), which I’ll refer to as the QCgen2 from this point forward. For listeners who want strong ANC, long-term comfort, and the features that matter without paying flagship money, the QCgen2 may represent the best compromise between cost and capability.

Related Reviews:

Build Quality and Fit: Familiar Bose Comfort With Useful Refinements

The aesthetic here remains understated, which is either refreshing or disappointing depending on your perspective. Bose has updated the design with treatment similar to what it gave the Ultra. The earcups are more pill-shaped and less rectangular than those of the previous iteration, although the step between the rear of the cup and the face, where the pads attach, is slightly less pronounced than on its sibling. The polymer yoke is wider than the metal version used on the Ultra, but the headband remains the same size as both the previous model and the Ultra.

Padding is also shared between the two models, with the headband and ear pads interchangeable between them. Reusing parts where possible helps keep costs down, so it’s no surprise that the line shares as much commonality as it does. One benefit of the greater use of polymer is weight: the QCgen2 comes in at just 230 grams. That puts it firmly in the lightweight class and helps reduce fatigue during longer listening sessions.

Clamping force is moderate for an ANC headphone, with enough pressure to keep the cups firmly in place without feeling like a vise. Overall, I found the QCgen2 comfortable with glasses and easy to wear through an entire movie on a flight or during extended listening sessions.

Color choices used to be limited to black or white, but Bose has expanded the lineup considerably with Eucalyptus Green, Rosewood Mauve, and Dewdrop Mint joining the two original options. I’m not one to use headphones as a vehicle for personal expression, but wearing them as a fashion statement is fairly common now, and Bose has clearly answered the call.

Build quality is solid rather than premium, which is about what one should expect at this level. The materials feel appropriate for the price and should provide reasonable longevity.

Internals and Connectivity: Lossless USB Audio Joins Bluetooth 5.4

Bose remains fairly tight-lipped about the driver details, revealing only that the QCgen2 uses 30mm dynamic drivers with a nominal impedance of 48 ohms. Frequency response and sensitivity are not listed.

Bluetooth is version 5.4 and supports AAC and SBC, but not aptX like its bigger sibling. Bluetooth multipoint is supported, allowing users to switch between a phone and laptop without additional hassle, which is a welcome addition.

The USB port can now be used for lossless audio playback at up to 24-bit/48kHz, which is another very welcome upgrade. That helps offset the removal of the 3.5mm jack found on the previous model, as the QCgen2 no longer includes an analog connection. USB audio still requires the headphones to be powered on, and a connected phone may take a battery hit if it is also supplying power while you listen.

Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours depending on the mode in use. ANC consumes less power than Immersive Audio, which drops the rated figure to 18 hours. A full charge takes roughly three hours, while a 15-minute quick charge provides about 2.5 hours of playback for those trying to squeeze in some listening during a short layover.

Features: Immersive Audio Arrives, but ANC Is the Bigger Upgrade

The previous section introduced two of the QCgen2’s major additions: USB audio and Immersive Audio with Bose TrueSpace technology. The other significant change is an improvement in ANC performance.

Immersive Audio offers three options: Still Mode, Motion Mode, and Cinema Mode. The technology has been available on previous generations of the Ultra series, but this is the first time it has trickled down to the QuietComfort line. Still Mode anchors the audio in place, while Motion Mode adjusts the presentation as you move. Cinema Mode is designed for movies, TV shows, and podcasts, creating a more spacious presentation while keeping dialogue intelligible.

Still Mode worked fairly well, while Motion Mode sounded more experimental and less refined to my ears. Cinema Mode does help dialogue cut through, which can be useful, but none of the three qualify as a “gotta have it” feature for me. I suspect a fairly large percentage of users will experiment with Immersive Audio for a while and then largely ignore it.

The changes to noise cancellation are more meaningful. Passive isolation hasn’t changed much, so that part is essentially a wash. Bose’s QuietControl ANC system has been improved with six microphones and updated adaptive feedback control, resulting in better noise reduction, particularly with continuous low-frequency sounds such as dishwasher noise and aircraft engines.

Sudden, unexpected sounds are reduced but not eliminated, which is something users should expect from feedback-based ANC systems. Bose has also added ActiveSense, which automatically increases noise cancellation when it detects a sudden rise in environmental noise while the headphones are in Aware Mode. It is a useful addition that helps prevent abrupt changes in the surrounding environment from becoming a distraction.

Overall, the QCgen2’s noise cancellation is on par with the previous-generation Ultra model, which should satisfy all but the most demanding ANC users.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) Specifications:

• Drivers: 30mm dynamic
• Impedance: 48 ohms
• Bluetooth: 5.4
• Codecs: AAC, SBC
• Multipoint: Yes
• USB Audio: Up to 24-bit/48kHz lossless
• ANC: Bose QuietControl with 6 microphones
• Immersive Audio: Still, Motion, Cinema
• Battery Life: Up to 24 hours; up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio
• Quick Charge: 15 minutes for up to 2.5 hours
• Full Charge: About 3 hours
• Weight: 230 grams
• 3.5mm Input: No

Listening

The QCgen2 is decidedly not a reference headphone, with a tuning that falls somewhere between an L-shaped and V-shaped signature, along with a healthy amount of mid-bass emphasis. The overall presentation is also highly dependent on which mode and settings are being used.

In its default configuration, the QCgen2 leans heavily toward an L-shaped signature, with a substantial mid-bass lift followed by a relatively flat response above that bump. To my ears, it is an odd tuning choice because vocals tend to sit in the middle or rear of the stage rather than being pushed forward as expected. The soundstage can also feel congested, if not outright cramped, depending on the track.

That might be enough for some listeners to dismiss the QCgen2 were it not for Immersive Audio’s Still Mode. Switching to Still Mode brings the vocals forward and shifts the tuning closer to a V-shaped presentation. The lower leg remains more pronounced than the upper, but the overall balance is considerably better and the presentation sounds more natural and relaxed.

There is also more air and a noticeably larger soundstage in this mode, and to my ears it should be the default. Motion Mode is similar in most respects, so listeners who want to add some head-tracking action get much of the same sonic improvement.

Even with those changes, the upper frequencies remain somewhat subdued, leaving the QCgen2 sounding slightly soft overall. Percussion lacks some of the snap it should have, while transients are slower than what I hear from competing Sony and Sennheiser models. That is clearly the tradeoff for a warmer, bassier presentation, and whether that is a positive will come down to individual preference.

The upside is that very few listeners are likely to find the QCgen2 fatiguing. That makes it a good option for gifting or sharing, as its tuning and various listening modes make it adaptable to a fairly broad range of preferences.

The soundstage is wider than it is deep, with limited overall dimensions and only a modest sense of height, which is hardly uncommon among ANC headphones. Imaging and layering are both acceptable, but the presentation remains somewhat compact because of the limited stage size and can become slightly claustrophobic when tracks get especially busy.

ANC performance is very good, with most continuous droning noises removed almost completely. The ability to adjust the amount of noise cancellation in the Bose app is also useful because increasing ANC has a noticeable effect on the sonic signature. Being able to tailor the level of cancellation to the environment therefore makes a lot of sense.

One weakness is the equalizer in the Bose app, which is fairly limited compared with many competitors. Three bands simply aren’t enough for meaningful tuning, so if neither the default nor Immersive Audio modes match your preferred sound signature, there is only so much you can do to correct it.

It has often been said that Bose makes lifestyle products rather than audiophile ones, and the QCgen2 certainly fits that description. That is not necessarily a criticism. Some competing headphones are more resolving and brighter, but they can also sound harsher and become more fatiguing over longer sessions.

The warmer, more organic presentation of the QCgen2 should appeal to a broad audience, while the expanded range of color options gives Bose another advantage for buyers who care as much about how their headphones look as how they sound.

The Bottom Line

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are a meaningful upgrade over the previous model, with better ANC, improved comfort, USB audio, and Immersive Audio features that have finally trickled down from the Ultra line. Bose has also expanded the color options, which will matter to buyers who increasingly treat headphones as part of the wardrobe rather than something to hide in a carry-on bag.

They are comfortable enough for long sessions, offer solid battery life, and deliver an easygoing, warmer presentation that should work well for a broad range of listeners. The catch is that the default tuning benefits from some adjustment, and Bose’s limited three-band EQ does not give users much room to reshape the sound if it misses the mark.

That makes the $359 asking price the real issue. The QCg en2 is not a cheaper Ultra, and it costs more than several very capable mid-tier competitors. For listeners who value comfort, strong ANC, and Bose’s warmer sonic balance, the premium may be justified. For everyone else, the competition is close enough that $59 can become a surprisingly persuasive reason to keep shopping.

Pros:

• Excellent long-term comfort and lightweight design
• Strong ANC performance approaching the previous Ultra
• Immersive Audio modes noticeably improve the presentation
• USB-C lossless audio up to 24-bit/48kHz
• Warm, non-fatiguing tuning works well for extended listening
• Bluetooth multipoint adds useful everyday flexibility

Cons:

• No 3.5mm analog input
• Three-band EQ is far too limited
• Default tuning is heavily L-shaped and can sound congested
• Soft treble and slower transients reduce perceived detail
• $359 price puts it uncomfortably close to stronger competition

Our Ratings

★★★★★★★★★★ Sound Quality

★★★★★★★★★★ Build Quality

★★★★★★★★★★ Comfort

★★★★★★★★★★ Features

★★★★★★★★★★ ANC

★★★★★★★★★★ Value

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