Bose’s first wired earbuds in 11 years add noise canceling
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
Bose has announced its first wired earbuds since 2015, marking a return to the wired category after an 11-year absence. These earbuds eliminate battery anxiety and charging requirements whilst incorporating active noise cancellation developed over the past decade, available for preorder at $99 starting today.
The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds feature dual microphones on each bud working with QuietControl technology, offering Quiet Mode, Aware Mode, and a fully off setting controlled via an inline remote. They connect via a 4.2-foot USB-C cable supporting lossless audio, carry an IPX4 water-resistance rating, and come in three colours: black, white smoke, and limited-edition dewdrop mint, with shipping expected mid-October.
- Bose launches first wired earbuds in 11 years with active noise cancelling
- Available for preorder at $99 in three colour options
- Features USB-C connection, water resistance, and multiple ANC modes
Full account
Bose has made a striking move back in time by announcing its first wired earbuds in eleven years. The company discontinued its tethered earbud line in 2015, but has now reintroduced the category with the Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds. The decision represents a counterintuitive shift against the industry-wide embrace of wireless audio technology, though the manufacturer has equipped the new model with contemporary features absent from their earlier iteration.
The earbuds connect via a 4.2-foot cable terminating in USB-C, providing connectivity to smartphones and laptops whilst delivering lossless audio with minimal latency. This represents a departure from conventional headphone jack connectors, positioning the product for modern device compatibility. Each earbud houses two microphones that monitor the acoustic environment in real time. An additional microphone positioned on the inline remote facilitates telephone calls and has been engineered to capture the user's voice clearly without requiring close proximity to the mouth; the remote's microphone placement also minimises the capture of incidental noise from contact with clothing.
The earbuds incorporate Bose's QuietControl technology to provide active noise cancellation across multiple operating modes. Users can select Quiet Mode to reduce surrounding sound intensity, switch to Aware Mode which amplifies environmental audio, or disable noise cancellation entirely. These adjustments are managed through physical buttons on the inline remote, which also controls volume and playback. The waterproofing carries an IPX4rating, permitting exposure to perspiration and rain, though full immersion remains inadvisable. The package includes a zipped carrying case, three silicone eartip sizes, and two stability wing sizes to customise the fit during physical exertion.
The Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds are priced at $99 and are available for preorder through Bose's website, with initial shipments anticipated in mid-October, though one account cited conflicting dates of 13 October versus 15 October. Retailers including Best Buy are also accepting preorders. Three colour variants have been announced: black, white smoke, and a limited-edition shade designated dewdrop mint. The wired design eliminates the necessity for regular charging, addressing a persistent inconvenience of wireless models, though the product's practical functionality remains more restricted than conventional wireless alternatives.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 explicitly states the 11-year absence from wired earbuds; Source 2 implies this through retro framing but does not state it directly.
Source 1 cites a specific date discrepancy between the company press release (15 October) and Bose's online store (13 October); Source 2 simply references 'mid-October' without acknowledging this variance.
Source 1 emphasises freedom from battery anxiety as a key benefit; Source 2 instead highlights superior audio quality compared to wireless earbuds through lossless audio support.
Source 1 describes the remote microphone's design advantage regarding mouth proximity; Source 2 emphasises its ability to minimise clothing-related noise interference.
Source 1 explicitly characterises the earbuds' functionality as limited; Source 2 makes no such qualification.
Source 2 mentions Best Buy availability; Source 1 references only Bose's direct sales channel.
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