Bose has released the Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds, a $99 USB-C model that brings active noise cancellation to a wired design. The earbuds mark Bose's return to the wired market after more than a decade and arrive as wired earbuds see a small sales resurgence. They are among the few wired earbuds with ANC.
The USB-C connection serves two purposes. It lets the earbuds work with current phones without an extra dongle, and it supplies the small amount of power ANC needs. Analog 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors cannot deliver that power, so most wired earbuds rely on passive isolation. Bose's previous ANC wired model, 2013's QuietComfort 20, used a 3.5mm jack and a rechargeable battery in the cable. Other USB-C ANC wired options are limited, including the $30 Belkin SoundForm ANC Wired Earbuds, which reportedly have weak noise canceling, and an Audio-Technica pair released in Asia earlier this year.
In testing, the noise canceling blocked low-frequency sounds such as air conditioners and truck rumbles but struggled to mute conversation, and a slight high-end hiss was audible when no sound was playing. Bose's Bluetooth earbuds, the QuietComfort Earbuds, use three mics per side versus two on the wired model. Sound quality drew praise for clear, bright vocals and punchy bass, with high-res audio supported at 24-bit/48kHz and low latency from the wired connection. There are no EQ options because the earbuds do not use an app.
The in-line remote has three rubberized buttons for volume, playback, and noise-canceling mode selection. The package includes three ear tip sizes and two sets of wings, and the earbuds are IPX4 rated. The 4.2-foot cable caught on drawer handles, keyboards, clothing zippers, bag straps, and pockets during testing. Cable noise was minimized by the insulation but not eliminated. Wind noise was distracting through the ANC microphones, and call quality suffered because the remote microphone picked up ambient sound.
Wired earbuds have posted sales growth this year after five years of decline, helped by younger generations adopting them alongside tape decks and vinyl, celebrity sightings, and an Instagram account tracking the trend. They need no battery and are harder to lose than a single wireless earbud. The reviewer concluded the Bose model is the best affordable wired option for ease of use, USB-C convenience, lack of lag, high-res capability, sound quality, and included ANC, while not being ready to abandon wireless earbuds.
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