Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive

93
/ 100
From $429
VS
Bose QuietComfort Ultra wins by 1
Focal Bathys · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2022
Focal

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2022

92
/ 100
From $799
Specdex verdict

Bose QuietComfort Ultra takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Ultra lands at 93 and Focal Bathys · Midnight Black at 92. That puts Bose QuietComfort Ultra ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…

  • ✓Best comfort in class
  • ✓Excellent ANC
  • ✓Immersive Audio spatial feature

Pick Focal Bathys · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Tie

Tuning, detail, and staging

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on anc (96 vs 90).

Comfort

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Long-session wearability

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on comfort (98 vs 91).

Value for money

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QuietComfort Ultra more score per dollar ($429 vs $799).

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 93
vs
92 Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Score breakdown

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93
anc 96
sound 92
comfort 98
battery 86
features 90
Focal Bathys · Midnight Black
92
anc 90
sound 92
comfort 91
battery 82
features 88

Specs side-by-side

Bose QuietComfort Ultra versus Focal Bathys · Midnight Black — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QuietComfort Ultra Focal Bathys · Midnight Black
Driver
35 mm dynamic
—
Battery
24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on)
—
Weight
253 g
—
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
—
Type
—
Over-ear
Release year
—
2022

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Pros
  • +Best comfort in class
  • +Excellent ANC
  • +Immersive Audio spatial feature
Cons
  • −Bose app fiddly
  • −No USB-C audio (3.5 mm + Bluetooth only)
  • −No LDAC support

Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Focal Bathys · Midnight Black

Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Bathys · Midnight Black? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth the price? +

At $429, Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in comfort.

Is Focal Bathys · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $799, Focal Bathys · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in sound.

Does Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Bathys · Midnight Black 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 noise cancelling, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Bathys · Midnight Black? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on anc (96 vs 90). ANC strength for commute and travel.

Which is better for comfort, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Bathys · Midnight Black? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on comfort (98 vs 91). Long-session wearability.