ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Bose has announced a new pair of wireless USB-C headphones.
- They support ANC and 24-bit/48kHz audio streaming.
- They will be available starting October 15 for $99
Shortly after announcing new wireless, clip-on-style open-ear headphones, Bose aims to appease a different kind of fan by introducing a new product category: wired USB-C headphones. The Bose Noise Canceling Headphones are such a hybrid digital/analog pair, equipped with Bose’s famous sound quality and noise cancellation without the power of wireless connectivity and regular charging.
Wired audio with ANC
The Bose Noise Canceling headphones feature Bose’s Quiet, Aware, and ANC-Off modes, which allow users to access noise cancellation, transparency, and off audio modes. In a press release, Bose says that the new headphones are equipped with four microphones for environmentally friendly noise capture and cancellation, while a dedicated microphone on the back of the headphones connected remote control handles voice pickup.
As well: Your Bose headphones are getting a major Bluetooth upgrade
In addition, Bose says the noise canceling earbuds use the USB Audio Class 2 protocol, which allows the earbuds to accept audio from a source device at any sample and bitrate, but the output remains fixed at 24-bit/48kHz for high-quality listening. A wireless USB-C connection allows for high-quality, low-latency streaming, making it ideal for audio/video content and gaming on a personal device.
Modern and old-school…at the same time?
With a USB-C connection compatible with USB Audio Class 2 and a proprietary Bose Sound Design DSP, the new headphones draw power from the connected source device, even with noise cancellation. Instead of controls on the headphones, Bose fitted the noise canceling earbuds with an in-line remote with buttons to adjust volume and track playback.
The earbuds also have removable ear tips if the standard ones don’t fit your ears, and silicone ear towers are included with purchase in small, medium, and large sizes. In traditional Bose fashion, the Noise Canceling Earbuds have a pop of color, with Black’s in-line remote sporting blue accents, White Smoke’s in-line remote sporting lime green accents, and a limited edition Dewdrop Mint color available at launch.
Also: Bose returns with new open-back headphones (and a refreshed favorite)
Finally, the Noise Canceling Earbuds have an IPX4 water resistance rating, the same durability rating as the Bose Ultra Open and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen).
My Bose members can pre-order the Noise Canceling Earbuds today, and the earbuds will hit shelves on October 15th for $99.