Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White
Planar magnetic
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive
Bose QuietComfort Ultra takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White lands at 90 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra at 93. That puts Bose QuietComfort Ultra ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…
- ✓Best comfort in class
- ✓Excellent ANC
- ✓Immersive Audio spatial feature
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Bose QuietComfort UltraTuning, detail, and staging
Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on sound (92 vs 90).
Noise cancelling
Bose QuietComfort UltraANC strength for commute and travel
Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on anc (96 vs 0).
Comfort
Bose QuietComfort UltraLong-session wearability
Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on comfort (98 vs 88).
Value for money
Bose QuietComfort UltraSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Bose QuietComfort Ultra more score per dollar ($429 vs $799).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White | Bose QuietComfort Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Planar magnetic | — |
| Driver | — | 35 mm dynamic |
| Battery | — | 24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on) |
| Weight | — | 253 g |
| Codecs | — | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- +Best comfort in class
- +Excellent ANC
- +Immersive Audio spatial feature
- −Bose app fiddly
- −No USB-C audio (3.5 mm + Bluetooth only)
- −No LDAC support
FAQ: Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Which is better, Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White worth the price? +
At $799, Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in battery.
Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth the price? +
At $429, Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in comfort.
Does Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for sound quality, Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on sound (92 vs 90). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Audeze LCD-2 Classic · Arctic White or Bose QuietComfort Ultra? +
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on anc (96 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.