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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 5
Focal Celestee · Midnight Black — Closed-back
Focal

Focal Celestee · Midnight Black

Closed-back

88
/ 100
From $999
Specdex verdict

Bose QuietComfort Ultra takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Ultra lands at 93 and Focal Celestee · Midnight Black at 88. That puts Bose QuietComfort Ultra ahead by 5 points — a decisive 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 Celestee · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal
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Winner by scenario

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

Sound quality

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on sound (92 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on anc (96 vs 0).

Comfort

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Long-session wearability

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on comfort (98 vs 88).

Value for money

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QuietComfort Ultra more score per dollar ($429 vs $999).

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 93
vs
88 Focal Celestee · Midnight Black

Score breakdown

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93
anc 96
sound 92
comfort 98
battery 86
features 90
Focal Celestee · Midnight Black
88
anc 0
sound 88
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

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

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 Celestee · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Focal Celestee · Midnight Black

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

Bose QuietComfort Ultra scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. 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 Celestee · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $999, Focal Celestee · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in battery.

Does Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Celestee · 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 sound quality, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Celestee · Midnight Black? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on sound (92 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Celestee · Midnight Black? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on anc (96 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.