The Bose Open Ultra Earbuds are presented as an impressive take on wearable audio, offering good sound quality and comfort. Their aesthetic design is noted for leaning towards a fashion accessory rather than traditional wireless earbuds. The brushed metallic finish is distinctive, and the available color palette is extensive, including Violet, Plum, Gold, Lilac, Grey, Blue, Driftwood Sand, and Moonstone Blue, alongside the original black and white options.
These earbuds feature a unique design, consisting of a driver section and a battery barrel connected by a silicon-coated flex arm. Crucially, they do not block the ear canal, allowing sounds to pass through the ear.
Design features include light weight, allowing users to adjust the positioning for optimal comfort and audio play. The device is rated IPX4, providing protection against water and moisture. The charging case is described as compact, and the earbuds fasten magnetically. The case supports a Bluetooth pairing button and a USB-C port for charging on its underside.
Connectivity is robust, supporting Bluetooth 5.3 with support for SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive (for Android). Furthermore, Snapdragon Sound support is available for compatible Android devices, aimed at providing higher quality sound and lower latency performance. The system also includes Google Fast Pair for Android devices and Bluetooth multipoint, an update added in 2024. Wireless connectivity has been reported as solid, with weak connections being uncommon.
Functionality is enhanced by two modes: Still and Motion. The Still mode maintains fixed 3D audio, preventing the music from moving with the head. Conversely, the Motion mode provides an immersive experience where the music travels as the head moves, which is beneficial while walking.
In terms of battery life, Bose expects 7.5 hours of use from the Ultra Open Earbuds. This duration is stated to be more than the Sony LinkBuds 5.5 hours, but less than the Shokz OpenFit Pro’s 10 hours. When utilizing Immersive Audio, the reported runtime decreases to 4.5 hours.
The review notes that the open-ear design presents specific audio limitations, most notably in the bass frequencies, where a flatness was observed compared to competitors. Additionally, the lack of significant noise isolation was highlighted, making them sound faint against external noise, such as those experienced on a train, unless the volume is increased.
Despite these limitations regarding bass and external noise struggles, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are characterized as a very accomplished attempt at the open-headphone concept, even two years post-launch. The reviewer confirms that the earbuds are very comfortable and satisfy consumers looking for a headphone that doubles as a fashion item. While the feature set is described as solid, call quality, especially in loud areas, was reported as lacking.
Source: Trusted Reviews