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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
Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White wins by 3
Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White — Open-back
Focal

Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White

Open-back

96
/ 100
From $4,999
Specdex verdict

Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Ultra lands at 93 and Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White at 96. That puts Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White ahead by 3 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 Utopia 2022 · Arctic White 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

Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White

Tuning, detail, and staging

Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White leads on sound (96 vs 92).

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 $4,999).

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 93
vs
96 Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White

Score breakdown

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93
anc 96
sound 92
comfort 98
battery 86
features 90
Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White
96
anc 0
sound 96
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Bose QuietComfort Ultra versus Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QuietComfort Ultra Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White
Driver
35 mm dynamic
—
Battery
24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on)
—
Weight
253 g
—
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
—
Type
—
Open-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 Utopia 2022 · Arctic White

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 Utopia 2022 · Arctic White

Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White? +

Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. 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 Utopia 2022 · Arctic White worth the price? +

At $4,999, Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in battery.

Does Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White 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 Utopia 2022 · Arctic White? +

Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White — leads on sound (96 vs 92). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Focal Utopia 2022 · Arctic White? +

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