Bose Reworks Open-Ear Audio With Two New Headphones
Two redesigned Bose models target immersive listening and high-impact workouts
Bose is releasing two open-ear wireless headphone models on Oct. 1: the second-generation Ultra Open Earbuds at $299 and the fitness-focused Bose Sport Open Earbuds at $199. The launch expands the company’s position in non-occlusive personal audio, where ambient environmental sounds reach the ear canal naturally while directional transducers project sound toward the listener.
The Sport Open Earbuds replace Bose’s earlier athletic model, which debuted in January 2021 under the same name with an over-ear hook and stationary charging dock before being retired in late 2022. The redesigned version uses a flexible, lightweight C-arm cuff wrapped in soft silicone. It clasps around the outer ear during high-impact movements, including rapid head movements and cartwheels.
For outdoor running and gym workouts, the $199 model includes physical control buttons for tactile adjustments, custom-designed acoustic drivers, Bose’s proprietary OpenAudio directional sound technology, Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, and an Auto Volume feature that dynamically adjusts audio levels based on surrounding noise. It offers up to seven hours of continuous playback per charge, while the included wireless charging case supplies an additional 22 hours.
Open-ear devices differ from active noise-canceling in-ear monitors, which seal the ear canal with silicone tips. They instead use air-conduction acoustic beamforming, placing Bose in competition with Sony’s LinkBuds, Huawei’s FreeClip, and Shokz’s OpenFit series. The Sport Open Earbuds have an IP54 rating for dust ingress protection and water splash resistance, helping shield their internal components from rain and sweat.
At the top of the range, the $299 second-generation Bose Ultra Open Earbuds follow the original model launched in February 2024, which Bose designates as its flagship open-ear device. The new version retains the earlier flexible ear-cuff silhouette but adds a revised beveled finish to its metallic end caps. Its redesigned charging case supports Qi wireless charging and can stand upright on flat surfaces.
An updated driver in the second-generation Ultra Open Earbuds is designed to increase low-frequency bass output and overall volume headroom. The Bose app provides a three-band equalizer, along with settings for the device’s Auto Volume system. The model also introduces Cinema Mode, which expands Bose’s spatial audio processing with directional sound profiles for movies, television shows, and video podcasts.
Bluetooth 5.4 and multipoint pairing let the flagship earbuds connect with up to two devices simultaneously. Bose said a launch-day firmware update will add integrated support for the Google Find Hub network and Amazon’s Alexa+ ecosystem, as well as a dedicated shortcut for quick access to Apple Music playlists.
The second-generation Ultra Open Earbuds provide up to nine hours of battery life on a single charge, compared with 7.5 hours for the first-generation version. Their wireless case stores nearly 20 additional hours of power, although spatial processing modes such as Immersive Audio or Cinema Mode increase power consumption and reduce overall playback time. The Sport Open Earbuds will come in Black and White Smoke, while the second-generation Ultra Open Earbuds will be sold in Nue Black and White Smoke.
