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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11First, identify your exact Bose headphone model and generation. Bose uses different app menus and features for the original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), and Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, so a setting path for one may not apply to another. Then connect your headphones in the Bose app and open that product’s page.
You can adjust sound and noise-control settings in the app, while the headphones’ physical controls handle actions such as volume, playback, calls, mode switching, or shortcuts, depending on the model.
Connect the headphones and open their product page
Bluetooth pairing does not universally require the Bose app. Bose says its app provides additional settings, including EQ and CustomTune for supported products. To reach the controls described below, connect the correct headphones in the app and open the corresponding product page. For the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), the headphones must be powered on and connected to the app to access the Modes page.
If you are unsure which instructions apply, check the product name and generation shown for your headphones rather than relying on the general “QuietComfort” name.
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#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
Adjust EQ on the model-specific screen
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (original generation)
From the app home screen, tap EQ, or open Settings and choose Equalization. Bose lists these options:
- Flat EQ: no added equalization.
- Bass Boost or Bass Reducer.
- Treble Boost or Treble Reducer.
- Custom EQ: adjust the sound to your preference.
Bose’s instructions for this model do not state numeric bands or slider ranges, so do not assume a particular scale.
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
Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
For this model, EQ requires firmware version 1.4.12 or later. In the Bose app, go to Settings > Sound > Equalizer. Adjust bass, mids, and treble in increments of 1 across the range from -10 to 10.
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The cited second-generation support instructions describe modes and their sound-related options but do not give a separate EQ menu path or EQ controls. Use the product page’s documented options rather than following the original generation’s EQ instructions.
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
Set noise control and listening modes
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (original generation)
The original model’s support material describes four mode types:
- Quiet: full noise cancellation with Bose-optimized stereo.
- Aware: transparency mode.
- Immersion: full noise cancellation with immersive audio.
- Custom: a mode you configure in the app.
Bose says you can create up to seven custom modes on this generation. Its instructions describe Wind Block as available only in Custom modes; that qualification is specific to these instructions and should not be assumed for another generation. To cycle modes with the headphones, first mark the desired modes as favorites in the app, then press and hold the multifunction button.
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
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
On the product landing page, select Modes, then choose a preset or custom mode. Bose lists Quiet, Aware, Immersion, and Cinema presets. Custom modes can combine a noise-cancellation level, Wind Block, and immersive-audio settings.
The documented immersive-audio settings are Off, Still, and Motion. Bose recommends Still when stationary and Motion when moving around. In Aware mode, ActiveSense dynamically adjusts noise cancellation around loud sounds; its setting is controlled from the app’s Aware mode settings.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBest 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
Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
The material cited for the 700 documents its EQ path, not a corresponding modes menu or custom-mode list. Do not use the QuietComfort Ultra mode names or steps as instructions for the 700.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use the earcup controls for hardware actions
App settings and physical controls are different: changing EQ or setting up a shortcut is not the same as operating the headphones’ buttons or touch controls. On the original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, Bose describes three controls on the right earcup:
- A Bluetooth/power button at the bottom.
- A multifunction button at the back for playback, calls, and mode switching.
- A capacitive volume strip along the edge: swipe to change volume, or press and hold to activate a user-configurable shortcut.
The app can also customize auto-off for this model. Other Bose headphones may use different controls or actions; consult the instructions for the exact product and generation before applying a button sequence.
Quick model comparison
| Model | EQ path and options | Modes documented here | Prerequisites or limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (original generation) | Home-screen EQ shortcut or Settings > Equalization; Flat, bass and treble presets, and 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 as Custom-only in this generation’s instructions. |
| QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | No EQ path stated in the cited second-generation instructions. | Quiet, Aware, Immersion, and Cinema; custom modes combine noise cancellation, Wind Block, and immersive-audio settings. | For the Modes page, headphones must be on and connected to the app. |
| Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 | Settings > Sound > Equalizer; bass, mids, and treble from -10 to 10 in increments of 1. | Not stated in the cited 700 instructions. | EQ requires firmware 1.4.12 or later. |
If a setting or menu is missing
- Check the product page: confirm that the app is connected to the model and generation you are holding.
- Check power and connection: the second-generation Ultra Modes page requires the headphones to be on and connected.
- Check firmware for the 700: the documented EQ requires version 1.4.12 or later.
- Use model-specific instructions: an absent menu may reflect a different generation or feature set, not a setting you have overlooked.
For the official instructions, see Bose’s original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones guide, QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) mode instructions, Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 EQ instructions, and Bose’s QuietComfort headphone pairing guidance.
Quick Recap
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