The Tool Desk
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Before changing a setting, identify your model
Check the product name shown in the Bose app or on the headphones and packaging. In particular, distinguish the original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones from QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen); their mode controls are not identical. The steps below cover only these three documented models, not every Bose headphone.
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- Pair the headphones with your phone over Bluetooth if they are not already paired. Bose says the app is not required for Bluetooth pairing.
- Open the Bose app and connect to the correct headphones. Turn them on; the 2nd Gen Modes page requires the headphones to be on and connected.
- Open the product landing page for those headphones, then follow only the matching model section below.
Adjust equalizer settings
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (original)
From the app home screen, tap EQ, or open Settings > Equalization. Choose Flat EQ, Bass Boost, Bass Reducer, Treble Boost, Treble Reducer, or Custom EQ. Bose’s instructions list these choices but do not specify numeric bands or slider ranges, so the available adjustment scale should be read from the app rather than assumed.
Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
First make sure the headphones have firmware 1.4.12 or later; Bose specifies that minimum for EQ. In the app, open Settings > Sound > Equalizer. Adjust bass, mids, or treble in increments of 1, from -10 to 10.
#1 Best Overall
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush over-ear cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your studio headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge via USB-C gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The cited 2nd Gen instructions describe mode settings, but do not establish an EQ menu path or EQ options for this model. Do not use the original Ultra or Headphones 700 path as a substitute; check the 2nd Gen product page in the app for the controls currently available.
Choose a mode on QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
The original model’s app offers Quiet, Aware, Immersion, and Custom modes. Quiet uses full noise cancellation with Bose-optimized stereo; Aware provides transparency; Immersion combines full noise cancellation with immersive audio. Bose says you can create up to seven custom modes. Its instructions place Wind Block in Custom modes for this generation.
Rank #2
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush over-ear cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your studio headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge via USB-C gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
To switch modes from the headphones, first mark the modes you want as favorites in the app. Then press and hold the multifunction button to cycle through the favorites.
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With the headphones powered on and connected, select Modes on the product landing page and choose a preset: Quiet, Aware, Immersion, or Cinema. You can also create a Custom mode that combines a noise-cancellation level, Wind Block, and immersive audio settings.
Rank #3
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush over-ear cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your studio headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge via USB-C gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
For immersive audio, Bose lists Off, Still, and Motion. Its guidance is to use Still while stationary and Motion while moving around. Aware mode’s ActiveSense adjusts noise cancellation dynamically around loud sounds; adjust it in the app’s Aware mode settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Understand the physical controls and shortcuts
App settings are only part of the controls. Bose describes three controls on the original QuietComfort Ultra’s right earcup: a Bluetooth/power button, a multifunction button, and a capacitive volume strip. The multifunction button handles playback, calls, and mode switching. Swipe the volume strip to change volume; press and hold it to activate the user-configurable shortcut. The app also lets you customize auto-off.
Rank #4
- LEGENDARY NOISE CANCELLATION: Effortlessly combines noise cancelling headphones technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- PREMIUM COMFORT: Plush earcup cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your over ear headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
These details describe the original QuietComfort Ultra, not a universal Bose control layout. Check the guide for your exact model before relying on a button gesture. For the original Ultra’s mode cycling, the modes must be favorited in the app first.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush earcup cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your over ear headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
- HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO/EQ CONTROL: Supercharge your favorite tracks with high-fidelity audio and Adjustable EQ that puts you in control of the bass, mid-range, and treble for unmatched bold sound
- ALL DAY BATTERY LIFE: Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones provide up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge, plus a 15-minute charge gives you up to 2.5 hours of additional play time
Model-by-model comparison
| Model | EQ path and options | Modes and requirements |
|---|---|---|
| QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (original) | Home-screen EQ shortcut or Settings > Equalization; Flat EQ, Bass Boost, Bass Reducer, Treble Boost, Treble Reducer, Custom EQ. Numeric ranges are not stated in Bose’s instructions. | Quiet, Aware, Immersion, and Custom; up to seven custom modes. Favorite modes in the app before cycling with a press-and-hold of the multifunction button. Wind Block is described for Custom modes. |
| QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Not stated in the cited Bose instructions. | Choose Quiet, Aware, Immersion, or Cinema from Modes on the product page while the headphones are on and connected. Custom modes combine noise-cancellation level, Wind Block, and immersive audio. |
| Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 | Settings > Sound > Equalizer; bass, mids, and treble from -10 to 10 in increments of 1. Requires firmware 1.4.12 or later. | Not stated in the cited Bose EQ instructions. |
If a setting or menu is missing
- The wrong product is selected: reconnect the exact headphones in the Bose app and open their product page; feature names and paths vary by model and generation.
- Headphones 700 EQ is absent: check the firmware version against Bose’s 1.4.12 minimum for EQ.
- 2nd Gen modes are unavailable: power on and connect the headphones before opening the Modes page.
- A hardware gesture does not work as expected: verify the model-specific controls. The original Ultra’s mode cycling also depends on favoriting modes first.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
