After testing the Bose long term, I began to unlock niche use cases that even the best noise-canceling buds can’t match. Dog walks are blissfully better, especially with any trace of wind, which can blast your ears when using transparency mode. I used to just roll with a single bud for those situations, with one ear open for awareness. Now, I recoil at the thought of settling for mono sound on our morning stroll, even if the traffic sometimes harshes the vibe.
I soon found other idiosyncratic ways in which these buds fill the gap, from working in the office or kitchen while chatting with my wife to strolling through a store or conversing with the neighbors over yard work. Why kill the tunes, when you can have it all?
Bose has been working on additional ways to give its pricey buds a higher value quotient. If you’ve got a new Bose soundbar like the Smart Soundbar (8/10, WIRED Recommends), the Open Earbuds can now double as personalized surround sound speakers, creating a sort of AR experience between the soundbar in the room and the surround effects in your head.
Maybe my favorite (and silliest) case for the Ultra Open came on a recent Thanksgiving trip to my wife’s parents’ house. American Football is a Thanksgiving staple in most households, but not theirs. There’s only a single basement TV, no cable or antenna, and no one else even casually interested. No matter! I had my Open Earbuds and my phone, allowing me to keep tabs on the games while still maintaining polite conversation. The pinnacle came while I casually imbibed a viewing of Tim Allen’s The Santa Clause, chatted with the family, and watched my alma mater win their first playoff game, all at the same time. Now that’s multi-tasking.
The Ultra Open Earbuds aren’t always the right choice, and many times they’re the wrong one. I think everyone needs a good pair of noise-canceling buds, and many may not be able to justify a second pair, especially one with a $300 list price. That’s higher than many flagship noise cancellers.
Even so, I can no longer deny the benefits of a good pair of open-ear buds, and these are the best I’ve found. To borrow a phrase, the Ultra Open spark joy, and I’ve come to rely on them on the daily. You win, Bose. I’m hooked.