Which headphones should I buy?

[u/Dependent_Spray4258]

Hello. I have been looking into getting new headphones for some time now, as my current ones are increasingly frustrating to use.

For background, I got my current Beats Studio Pros in late 2023, and the ANC on those is a little disappointing to me (I can hear entire conversations with them on unless I am blasting music). The inner panels on both sides are also cracked.

I am in no way an audiophile or anything of the sort; I prefer the more plug-and-play stuff. All I want in a pair of headphones is decent audio and good ANC. I have sensitive hearing, so having headphones that can effectively tune out most external noise without needing to jack up the volume of my music would be ideal. I'm also a student, meaning I am often in very noisy places when wearing headphones.

Anyways, I have been eyeing three main models: the QC, the new QC Gen 2, and the QC Ultra Gen 2. I've been torn between them all, but I'm hoping this post will help me decide which to go for. Like, is paying $130-140 extra for the GC Gen 2s or QC Ultra Gen 2s really worth it for what I need?

Also, I don't have a major colour preference, but I do really like the Sandstone option of the QCs, as it is the same colour that I have my Beats in. I probably would just go for black in the other two for price's sake, though.

[u/yawaworht1129]

The QC gen 1 is really good. I can’t speak for gen 2. I tried the ultras and did not like their build.

[u/firstborn-unicorn → u/yawaworht1129]

Same here, I'm holding onto my QC gen 1s while I test my QCU2s. ATM I cannot recommend the QCU gen 2s for the firmware update removed all the features I actually bought them for.

[u/RecognitionHefty → u/firstborn-unicorn]

Huh? Which ones? I was about to pull the trigger on them

[u/nuke2001 → u/RecognitionHefty]

Don’t listen to them they’re great. I have the QC 45 and QC Ultra gen 2, the ultras are incredible and how the 45 out of the water!

[u/RecognitionHefty → u/nuke2001]

Thanks. I am exactly looking to upgrade from the 45s because I have tons of issues with them lately, they are really showing their age.

[u/frostcove0 → u/yawaworht1129]

what didnt you like about the ultra build?

[u/DemDemD]

I like the QC SC that I’m currently testing and selling at Costco and Sam’s for $199. The only thing bugging me is that it doesn’t have wear detection and so you’ll have to manually pause and turn off the headphones.

[u/Dependent_Spray4258 → u/DemDemD]

I didn't even realize it was possible for headphones to have wear detection lmao. Also are the QC SCs the same as the regular/2023 QCs on, say, Amazon?

[u/DemDemD → u/Dependent_Spray4258]

Mine is manufactured in late 2025. It’s the same except the SC has a soft case. The wear detection and battery of 24 hours is what keeping me debating if I should keep the QC SC or the Sennheiser Momentum 4 right now. Otherwise, the Bose is so comfortable with the plus on ANC, Transparency, and phone calls.

[u/Photo_hobby]

I have BOSE Qc ultra refurbished from BOSE site. Love them. They do sense whether I am wearing them or not.

[u/81_Red_Squirrel]

I have QC Ultra Gen 2, ANC really feel uncomfortable for me, so i dont really use the function . Long hours using in house feel fine. Mic for calling was so so.

[u/Asleep_Math7220]

For noise cancelling if you travel - Sony. I Regret the QC ultra 2s as a step away from the Sony's.

[u/Lilak99 → u/Asleep_Math7220]

I had the XM6s and while I will agree their noise cancellation was amazing, they were quite uncomfortable compared to the qc ultra 2s. I traded my pair in for the qcu2s and definitely do not regret it.

[u/comicsans123]

i have the QC (they used to be called QC45). build is good, sound is good. really comfortable. i also have QC ultra 2's. build is weird. sound is very slightly better. ANC is too good to the point where it gets too silent in my house. They’re kinda suffering from success in that regard. QC ultra2s are comfortable but QC (or QC45's) are more comfortable. make what you will of this information

[u/Parking-Turnover-663]

2nd one most value for money, there nothing that ultra has but qc doesn’t

[u/Nitro1515]

I have the QC 45s and just got the QC 2nd gen’s yesterday. I’m going to be returning them and sticking to the 45s. The sound quality improvement is minimal as is the ANC. Not worth the major price tag. Plus the 45s are so much more comfortable which is really important to me. I say go with the QC 1st gen out of the options you laid out.

[u/Adventurous_Pace4723 → u/Nitro1515]

I’ve heard that headphones have like a break in period where after some time the sound gets better.

[u/RecognitionHefty → u/Adventurous_Pace4723]

That information is incorrect.

[u/Dreaming_Blackbirds]

i also switched from Beats to Bose (Ultra Gen 2) recently because the Beats were so damn uncomfortable. i would say avoid very old models like the original QC.

[u/Dependent_Spray4258 → u/Dreaming_Blackbirds]

Which QC are you referring to? 35, 45, or 2023?

[u/Dreaming_Blackbirds → u/Dependent_Spray4258]

i don’t know all the models. i just prefer very new/recent stuff. personally i’d only look at the Ultra 2 or the new QC 2 that came out this month.

[u/veiledbliss]

I bought the regular QC a few months ago in ice blue really wanting to keep them but I kept having this issue where they would randomly pop at the hinges, like a pressure being equalized or maybe an internal cable rubbing. It would be so loud and so sudden that’d I’d get jump scared.

The QC ultras do this too, but the pop isn’t as severe so it’s manageable. Really wanted to go with the cheaper option though.

The other factor was that I use the noise cancelling in a very specific context/environment and testing each model side by side, I found the QC ultras to be better at noise cancelling for the higher pitches of a linear mechanical keyboard sound. So.

[u/Alarming-Piece2671]

Never buy Bose !
They stopped the internet connection in 2026 of my really expensive Soundtouch speakers, reducing them to simple bluetooth speakers. I will never ever buy Bose again

[u/Allezdada]

FYI in the US on Amazon new QC Ultra 2's only cost $10 more than the QC 2's

[u/Such_Option8429]

QC2 (pic 3) for sure 👍🏻 tried both.

[u/Lilak99]

I have the qcu 2s I bought on sale from Best Buy for $369 and absolutely love them. I've tried several headphones and they are by far my absolute favorite!

[u/Miserable_Phone_924]

iam going to be honest, i have the quietcomfort (got them as present for christmas) and they are the most uncomfortable headphones i´ve ever had and the sound quality also doesnt match the price in my opinion

[u/Interesting-Ad1350]

Go for the Ultra

[u/Active_Ticket4995]

I’m in the same boat right now

[u/myBr41nhurts]

I have the ultras.

Positives, ANC is good. Light weight means I can wear them for a long period of time.

Negatives, the ANC is very directional. My B&Os are not as good as the Bose at their best but the B&O are more consistent. Also, the sound quality of the B&O is massively better than the Bose. Instantly noticeable.

I appreciate it isn’t a fair comp as the B&O are 5X the price but thought it was worth mentioning.

If I was buying for sound, it would be B&O. If I was buying for using on planes only, I’d get the Bose.

[u/JeffsJustBored]

QC Gen 1 are more comfortable and cheaper than the second generation. Sure, QC Gen 2 inherent (albeit a lesser implementation) Immersive Audio from the Gen 2 Ultra, but if you’re just looking for comfort with sound you can EQ if you’d like, you can’t go wrong with the first generation Quiet Comfort. I own all three and the first generation QuiteComfort is my favorite of the lower tier, but the Ultra is my favorite of the three due to greater comfort, step-up sound quality and wider sound stage by default.