Emo all grown up? Got yourself a bit of money? I've found your perfect designer Bose headphones, based on the 5-star QC Ultra (Gen 2)

Date:
Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:04:11 +0000

Description:
Bose Thom Browne QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) change the design
of the Boses, and add a fair markup on top

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Bose releases Thom Browne redesign of recent flagship headphones Adds a cashmere band, tag and cup stripes Very much designer label, costing twice as much as the original pair If you still wish you could rock the emo aesthetic as readily as an adult as you did when you were young, I've got a new pair of headphones which will
have you screaming "I'm not oooookaaaay" in no time.

Fashion house Thom Browne has teamed up with Bose, to release a special-edition run of the latter's QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) . The new model is due to release on September 28, although you can pre-order them already. Now, these cans aren't cheap; there is a designer fee to be paid. They cost $950 / 760 (about AU$1,500, although Bose's Australian website
makes no mention of them). And that depending on where you live is more
than double the price of the standard Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)'s $449 / 449 / AU$699 price, in any other finish. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

So what do you get for the designer surcharge? Well, it is purely the design flourishes that set them apart from the standard flagship pair. Not only do you get those distinctive white stripes on the left cup, but the ear cushions and headband are made from cashmere. You also get a new Browne-designed protective case, and the color option is called Smoked Pearl. Let's also not forget the bragging rights of throwing down that much money on some headphones. Similar cans, other than the design? (Image credit: Future) Other than the design flairs (which are "delightful, I must have them", according
to my audio editor), the Thom Browne cans are pretty similar to the aforementioned Ultra set. These are not to be confused with the newer
standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) , to which I awarded a very respectable four stars to in my recent review. You may like When I look at Bose's new headphones, there's only one iconic character I see... Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) review: great headphones that are really quite expensive in a crowded market 'Bose features at a non-Bose price, for the first time': Skullcandy launches its most premium headphones ever,
getting by with a little help from its friend

So, you're getting wonderful five-star Bose-tuned sound, fantastic spatial audio and solid noise cancellation. In fact, the comfort of the QC range is something I flagged in my review as being outstanding, and I'm sure some
added cashmere will only make them more snug.

I tested the delightfully Shrek-like finish of the non-Pro cans which you see above, although those obviously don't have the same fashionable bent (unless you live in a swamp) but they come in a range of other colors including pink, mauve and mint. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign
up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Ironically, one of my issues with the Bose QCs was that they felt a little pricey compared to the competition, and the more-than-double-cost versions definitely aren't going to solve that.

That is to say, these are a buy for 'money no object' music lovers who think nothing of splashing out on fancy designer headphones. Saying that, if you have a malleable budget, the regular Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) might still be the top buy if you don't care about the designer extras.

Not for my audio editor though. She is already saving up The best noise cancelling headphones for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best noise cancelling headphones 1. Best overall: Sony WH-1000XM6 2. Best mid-range: Bose QuietComfort Headphones 3. Best under $100/100: 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 4. Best under $60/50: Soundcore Q30 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/emo-all-grown-up-got-yourself-a-bit-of-money-i ve-found-your-perfect-designer-bose-headphones-based-on-the-5-star-qc-ultra-ge n-2


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