Bose brings noise cancelling to wired earbuds with trendy new USB-C earphones

Bose is bringing noise cancellation to wired earbuds with a fashionable new USB-C model that needs no Bluetooth pairing or charging.

The launch comes as interest in wired listening booms.

The new buds combine a direct USB-C connection with proprietary QuietControl noise cancellation and a built-in microphone system designed for clearer calls. There’s no Bluetooth connection to establish and no internal battery to recharge. There’s no app requirement either.

The earbuds connect directly to compatible USB-C phones, tablets and computers. Power is drawn from the connected device, allowing active noise cancellation to operate without a separate battery.

Black and White Smoke versions will be available at launch, along with a limited-edition Dewdrop Mint edition. The Black buds boasts blue accents, while White Smoke is paired with vibrant lime green.

“Wired earbuds are experiencing a cultural renaissance, and when we decided to bring them back, we knew we had to make them even better than before,” said Raza Haider, president of Bose Premium Consumer Audio. “Technology has come a long way since our last wired earbuds, giving us the opportunity to bring our latest advances to the category and set a new standard for what wired earbuds can be.”

There’s no Bluetooth connection to establish and no internal battery to recharge…

Wired listening with Bose processing

The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds use the company’s SoundDesign digital signal processing technology.

The USB connection uses the USB Audio Class 2 protocol; the earbuds can accept sources at any sample rate and bit rate, with playback output fixed at 24-bit/48 kHz.

The direct connection also brings the benefit of low-latency performance, making them particularly suitable for video, gaming and content creation

An in-line remote provides physical controls for volume, playback and calls. It’s also used to switch between the different noise cancellation modes.

Bose has placed a dedicated microphone on the rear of the remote for voice pickup. The position apparently helps minimise unwanted noise caused by contact between the microphone and clothing, so you can speak without needing to hold the remote close to your mouth.

QuietControl comes to a cable

Bose QuietControl noise cancellation is derived from four microphones, with two positioned on each earbud continuously monitoring ambient sound.

There are three listening modes. Quiet Mode activates noise cancellation to reduce outside distractions. Aware Mode allows more of the surrounding environment through, and ANC Off Mode disables active noise cancellation for straightforward wired listening.

The earbuds ship with a 1.2m cable, soft silicone eartips in small, medium and large sizes, and medium and large stability wings. These can be mixed and matched for the most comfortable, secure fit.

They’re also IPX4 rated for water resistance, and come with a zipped carry case for storage and protection.

The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds are available from  October 15, priced at £99. Shop the wider Bose headphone range here.