Bose has announced a new version of its entry-level QuietComfort noise-canceling headphones, bringing features that used to be available only on its more expensive models down to the $359 price. Preorders open August 8 through Bose's online store and other retailers, with shipping expected to start August 13. The Verge

The previous QuietComfort headphones launched in late 2023 at $349. The new version costs $10 more, and that extra money buys real upgrades rather than just a fresh look.

The biggest new feature is something Bose calls TrueSpatial immersive audio. It was previously available only on Bose's pricier Ultra model. The idea is that the headphones track the angle of your head and adjust the sound to make it feel like it is coming from a fixed spot in the room — imagine sitting in front of a pair of speakers that stay in place even when you turn your head. You can also reduce the effect so the sound moves with you, which is better for walking or commuting. A second mode mimics a movie theater by keeping dialogue clear and centered when you are watching a video or listening to a podcast.

The noise cancellation has also been improved. The headphones use six microphones to better block outside noise, and they now handle a common problem: if you wear glasses, the arms of your glasses break the seal between the ear cushions and your head, letting more noise in. The new model compensates for those gaps, which the first generation did not do well. The noise cancellation also adjusts more smoothly to changing noise around you. The Aware mode — which lets outside sound in so you can hear what is happening around you — now reacts to sudden noises like a passing car instead of letting in a fixed amount of sound.

The headphones connect over Bluetooth 5.4, and they support multipoint pairing, which means you can connect to two devices at the same time and switch between them without going through a reconnection process. A USB-C port handles both charging and wired audio playback, and you can listen while the headphones charge. Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours, or 18 hours if you use the immersive audio features. A 15-minute charge gives you 2.5 hours of playback.

The design has been refreshed with a more comfortable headband, better button placement, and a wider range of colors: black, white smoke, eucalyptus green, dewdrop mint, and rosewood mauve.

The broader context here is how Bose organizes its product lineup. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) cost $449 and launched last fall with spatial audio as a key selling point. By bringing that same spatial audio feature down to the $359 model, Bose has narrowed the gap between its entry-level and premium headphones. The Ultra still likely has advantages in sound quality, build materials, and noise-canceling strength, though Bose has not confirmed the exact differences.

For anyone who did not buy the first generation, the value is clear: for $359, the new QuietComfort now includes spatial audio, improved adaptive noise cancellation, multipoint Bluetooth, and wired lossless playback. For people who already own the first generation, the decision comes down to how much the glasses-friendly noise cancellation and immersive audio matter in daily use. The design changes are modest rather than a major overhaul.

The expanded color options — five choices including two shades of green and a mauve — show Bose pushing past the black-and-silver look that has defined headphones for years. Whether that appeals to the practical buyer who usually picks the QuietComfort line is a different question from whether the technology inside justifies the price.