Bose’s new Ultra Open and Sport Open Earbuds put open-ear audio in focus

By Tom MarshallSeptember 24, 202617 mins read

Bose’s new Ultra Open and Sport Open Earbuds combine open-ear audio with improved sound, battery life and secure designs for everyday listening and active use.

Bose is expanding its open-ear range with two new wireless earbuds: the flagship Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the new Sport Open Earbuds. Both combine open-ear listening with a secure, cuff-style design, while targeting different everyday and active listening needs.

Open-ear headphones have become an increasingly interesting option for anyone who wants to listen to music without completely blocking out their surroundings. Bose’s latest models take that idea in two directions, with the Ultra Open aimed at everyday listening and the Sport Open designed to stay secure during exercise.

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) build on the original design

The Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) keep the distinctive cuff-shaped design of the original model. Rather than sitting inside the ear canal, each earbud clips around the outer ear and directs sound towards the ear.

That makes them quite different from conventional in-ear wireless earbuds.The open design is intended to let you stay aware of traffic, conversations, announcements and other sounds around you while listening to your music.

More bass, higher volume and a new Cinema Mode

Bose has made several changes to the Ultra Open’s audio system for this second generation.

A newly engineered driver is designed to provide deeper bass and higher volume than the first-generation model. The earbuds also introduce Auto Volume, which adjusts playback as the surrounding noise level changes. That could be useful when moving between quieter environments and busier streets without constantly reaching for the volume controls.

Another major addition is Cinema Mode, powered by Bose TrueSpatial technology. It creates a wider soundstage for videos and podcasts while keeping dialogue centred and clear.

That makes the Ultra Open more than a music-first listening device. The feature is designed for content where the sense of space matters, whether that’s watching a film during a commute or listening to a podcast while getting on with other work.

The earbuds also support Snapdragon Sound with aptX Adaptive on compatible Android devices, offering higher-quality audio and lower latency when the connected device supports the technology.

Bose Sport Open Earbuds are built for movement

The Sport Open Earbuds take the same basic open-ear concept but put more emphasis on stability and durability.

Their C-arm cuff wraps around the ear and uses a soft matte silicone finish designed to provide additional grip. Bose says the design is intended to stay secure through running, head movements and other vigorous activities.

Physical buttons are another practical addition. The buttons have a textured surface that makes them easier to locate by touch, which should be more useful during a workout than trying to operate small touch controls with sweaty fingers.

The Sport Open also has an IP54 rating for resistance to sweat, splashes and dust. Its charging case supports wireless charging and adds up to 22 hours of additional battery life to the earbuds’ seven-hour rated playback time.

For listeners, the appeal here is about having music, podcasts or calls available while running, travelling or working outdoors without sealing off the ears.

Both models are designed to keep you connected

The open-ear approach is central to both products. Bose specifically contrasts the technology with bone conduction, explaining that its earbuds transmit sound through the air near the ear rather than relying on vibrations through the bones of the head.

This works through OpenAudio technology which combines a transducer with a controlled acoustic structure to direct sound towards the ear while minimising sound leakage. Bose also uses digital signal processing to balance clarity and bass within the open design.

Neither model therefore includes active noise cancellation. That’s intentional rather than an omission: the products are designed around maintaining awareness of the environment.

Both pairs also feature Bose SpeechClarity, which uses a microphone and voice pickup unit in each earbud to isolate the wearer’s voice from background noise during calls.

The Bose app gives users further control over the listening experience. Both models include a three-band EQ, allowing you to adjust the balance of bass, mids and treble to suit your preferences. The app also lets you manage Auto Volume, configure shortcuts, manage connected devices and install firmware updates.

Connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint pairing with two devices, SBC and AAC codec support and Google Fast Pair. Both models can also be configured with shortcuts, including Spotify Tap and access to a phone’s voice assistant. The Ultra Open adds shortcuts for its Immersive Audio settings.

Bose says a planned firmware update will add Google Find Hub, Alexa+ and an Apple Music shortcut after launch.

Colours and finishes

Both models are available in Black and White Smoke. The Sport Open also comes in limited-edition Eucalyptus Green, while the Ultra Open adds Cherry Chocolate, Olive Green and Sky Pink finishes.

*Bose Ultra Open (left) / Bose Sport Open (right*

Battery life gets a boost

Battery performance is another area where the Ultra Open has moved forward.

The second-generation model is rated for up to nine hours of playback from the earbuds, compared with seven hours for the original. Its redesigned charging case adds another 19.5 hours.

The Sport Open offers up to seven hours from the earbuds, with another 22 hours available from its charging case. Both cases support wireless charging.

For people using headphones throughout a working day, those figures make the Ultra Open particularly suited to extended listening without needing to return to the case regularly.