Bose’s new earbuds make a strong case for wires
Bose has returned to wired earbuds with a $99 USB-C model that combines active noise cancellation with the plug-in simplicity wired listeners value. The launch comes as wired earbuds regain popularity, and shows how USB-C can give them a feature traditionally associated with battery-powered wireless headphones.
The earbuds need no charging, pairing or app, and Bose says they support 24-bit/48kHz audio. Their noise cancellation handles steady low sounds well but is less effective against conversation, and the reviewer found the sound clear with punchy bass. They have a slight hiss when ANC is on, and their noise cancellation is less capable than Bose’s Bluetooth earbuds.
- Bose’s $99 wired earbuds offer ANC over USB-C.
- They need no battery, pairing or app.
- Noise cancellation handles low rumbles better than voices.