Smart Ultra Soundbar + QuietComfort Ultra Headphones FAQs

Question 1

How is the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar different from the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900?

Accepted Answer

The main differences between Soundbar Ultra and Soundbar 600 are related to the acoustic performance of the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. They both support Dolby Atmos encoded content and optimizes content that is not Dolby Atmos encoded through proprietary TrueSpace spatial processing technology to sound just as spacious and immersive. The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar also includes ADAPTiQ audio calibration technology, which adjusts the sound of the soundbar to best fit your room, no matter the shape or furnishings. The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 offers great dialogue intelligibility, spacious sound, but it doesn’t come with ADAPTiQ. While it is still a great performing system, it does not play as loud, as deep, or as spacious as the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. Soundbar 900 offers the same features as Soundbar Ultra, but does not include A.I. Dialogue Mode.

Question 2

What is TrueSpace?

Accepted Answer

Proprietary Bose TrueSpace spatial processing intelligently analyzes signals other than Dolby Atmos, like stereo or 5.1, and upmixes them to create an immersive multi-channel sound experience with a sense of height in the soundscape. The result? Enveloping immersive sound no matter what you watch.Unlike Dolby Atmos — which requires compatible content, hardware, content source, and speaker system —TrueSpace will take any content — regardless of how it was encoded or your equipment — and deliver that Atmos-like experience.

Question 3

What is Works-with-Google certified?

Accepted Answer

Works with Google gives you voice control over content playback on Works with Google-enabled Bose devices. This is done via an additional proxy device such as a Google Mini. The command is given to the proxy device, while the content itself is played on the Bose device. You can set up a Bose device as the preferred speaker in the Google Assistant app — this defaults content playback to that device. If you don’t set the Bose device up as a preferred speaker, you will need to include the name of the Bose device in the command.

Question 4

Does the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar have 4K pass-through capability?

Accepted Answer

No. It only handles the audio output from the TV, no external video goes through the soundbar.

Question 5

Does the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar have ethernet built in?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 6

What placement guidelines should be considered to ensure optimal audio performance of the Bose Bass Module 700 and Bose Bass Module 500?

Accepted Answer

For best sound quality, the Bose Bass Module 700 and Bose Bass Module 500 should be placed on the floor against the same wall as the television and soundbar, with an electrical outlet nearby for the power cord. The bass module should not be placed on a shelf or table. For more bass, the bass module should be placed closer to walls and corners. For less bass, the bass module should be pulled away from walls and corners.

Question 7

Can source devices, such as a cable box, iPod, gaming system, etc., be connected directly to the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar?

Accepted Answer

No. All sources must be connected to the TV and then a single connection (via the HDMI or optical cable) must be made from the TV to the soundbar.

Question 8

Can I use a third-party universal remote control with the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It can be controlled by third-party remote controls that include the set of Bose IR commands.

Question 9

Can the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar be mounted to the wall?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The optional Bose Soundbar Wall Bracket lets you mount the soundbar to the wall.

Question 10

Can the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar be used with other Bose smart speakers and soundbars as part of a multi-room system?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can group any of our smart speakers and soundbars (Home Speaker 300, Smart Speaker 500, Portable Smart Speaker, Smart Soundbar 700, Soundbar 500, Smart Soundbar 600 and Smart Soundbar 300) together for multi-room listening using the Bose Music app. This way, you can fill your whole home with music – either synchronized, or different music in different rooms.

Question 11

Can I put the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar in standby mode with my voice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Simply say, “Alexa, turn off [speaker name].” or “Hey Google, turn off [speaker name],” (if a compatible Google device is on the same network). This action will stop any content playing, turn off any lights on the light bar, and disconnect Bluetooth devices. If enabled, Amazon Alexa will still listen for voice commands in standby mode.

Question 12

Can I control the bass?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bass can be controlled in the Bose Music app.

Question 13

Can you mix and match the wireless bass modules and soundbars?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar and the Bose Bass Modules all use the same wireless protocols and can be mixed and matched. However, the design language and materials of the Smart Ultra Soundbar and the Bass Module 700 are designed to complement each other.

Question 14

Can I connect two wireless bass modules to my soundbar?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you desire even more bass, you can wirelessly connect two bass modules to your Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. But you can only connect two of the same bass modules. In other words, you must connect two Bose Bass Module 700s or Bose Bass Module 500s to a single soundbar. You cannot connect one Bose Bass Module 700 and one Bose Bass Module 500 to a single soundbar.

Question 15

What streaming services are compatible with the Smart Ultra Soundbar?

Accepted Answer

Smart Ultra Soundbar can stream content through Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, or Chromecast.

Question 16

Can I use Chromecast to cast audio content to groups of Bose smart speakers and soundbars?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can cast audio content to your group of Bose smart speakers or soundbars through the Bose Music app or on the products themselves. Start by creating a group in the Bose Music app and casting to that group, or by pressing and holding the Action button on the connecting device to pair them into a group that’s playing a cast stream. Group your ground floor speakers, or all the speakers in the house and get the party started.

Question 17

What is the difference between QuietComfort 45 Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, and QuietComfort Headphones?

Accepted Answer

Bose QuietComfort Headphones are the successors to QuietComfort 45 Headphones. They deliver high-fidelity audio performance and world-class noise cancellation that allow you to hear more of your music and movies — while traveling, at the office, or at home.QuietComfort Ultra Headphones offer our most premium design and our most advanced technologies, for the best Bose listening experience in a headphone. With QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, you will enjoy our best headphone noise cancellation, audio quality personalized with CustomTune, and voice pickup, among other premium features.

Question 18

What is Bose Immersive Audio?

Accepted Answer

Immersive Audio allows you to hear audio as if it were coming from beyond your QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, thereby allowing for a more spacious, natural listening experience. Your music and other audio will have a wide sound stage in front and to the sides, just as if you were listening to a pair of stereo speakers and seated at the sweet spot between them.

Question 19

What is CustomTune technology and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Bose CustomTune technology is a proprietary Bose technology that optimizes the audio playback you hear based on the unique physical properties of your ear and ear canal. It works by playing a specially designed calibration tone as the welcome chime each time you power on the headphones while wearing them. It then measures how the shape of your ear uniquely modifies that sound. The headphones use that information to adjust their sound to your ears, creating a more balanced, authentic audio experience.

Question 20

What is TriPort acoustic headphone structure?

Accepted Answer

Proprietary TriPort acoustic headphone structure utilizes external ports to vent the earcups and effectively enlarge the acoustic volume, without increasing the size of the earcup. The result is better audio and active noise reduction from a smaller, lighter, more comfortable headphone.

Question 21

How is total noise cancellation in Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones achieved?

Accepted Answer

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones utilize both active and passive noise reduction technologies. They use a sophisticated proprietary electronics approach for active noise reduction, placing microphones both inside and outside the earcups. The electronics system senses the sound in almost any environment and then measures, compares, and reacts — instant by instant — to produce an opposing cancellation signal. Meanwhile, passive noise reduction is achieved by the combination of earcup fit, design, and clamping force of the headband.

Question 22

How do I control QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

Accepted Answer

QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have three controls on the right earcup: a Bluetooth/power button at the bottom, a multi-function button in the back, and a capacitive volume strip along the edge. Additionally, the headphones are equipped with on-head/off-head detection, which is another way to control the product.• The Bluetooth/power button is used to power the headphones on/off, put the headphones in pairing mode, cycle through paired devices, and more.• The multi-function button supports audio playback (e.g., play/pause/skip), telephony (e.g., answer/decline calls), mode switching (e.g., Quiet, Aware, Immersion), and more.• Swiping along the volume strip changes volume, and pressing and holding on it activates a user-configurable shortcut.• Putting the headphones on and taking them off controls wake/sleep/auto-off and resume/pause. Auto-off can be customized in the Bose app.

Question 23

What are modes, and how do I use them?

Accepted Answer

Listening modes are collections of headphones settings that you can name and access with a single action. You can combine the following settings in a mode:• Noise cancellation level• Wind Block on/off• ActiveSense on/off (applicable only in Aware mode)• Immersive Audio settingThree modes are provided by default:• Quiet: noise cancellation set to maximum; all other settings off• Aware: noise cancellation set to Aware; all other settings off• Immersion: noise cancellation set to maximum; Immersive Audio set to MotionWith the Bose app, you can create your own custom modes as well as switch between modes.

Question 24

What is ActiveSense technology and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

ActiveSense listens for very loud outside sounds and selectively applies noise cancellation briefly during those sounds. This way, you can remain aware of your surroundings without having your music drowned out by interruptions like passing vehicles and loud appliance motor noises such as a coffee grinder or blender. ActiveSense can be enabled and disabled in the Aware Mode setting.

Question 25

What is Wind Block?

Accepted Answer

Wind Block is a setting you can use when your environment is windy. Wind Block mutes the microphones on the outside of the earcups used for noise cancellation so that gusts of wind do not cause system responses that become noise disturbances in themselves. Note that the exterior microphones used for voice pickup are not muted, so if you’re on a call, the person on the other end will still hear the wind.

Question 26

Can I change equalizer settings on my Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

Accepted Answer

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones also give you two options when it comes to audio EQ. Do nothing and the bass, midrange, and treble of whatever you’re listening to will be adjusted automatically to make it sound great. Or choose Equalizer in the settings of the Bose app to change the audio levels yourself to however you like them best. Either way, you’ll enjoy immersive sound at any volume.

Question 27

Can QuietComfort Ultra Headphones take phone calls?

Accepted Answer

Yes. QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have an adaptive microphone system that allows you to use the headphones during calls when connected to any smartphone. In addition to traditional calls, the headphones will work with many apps that use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), such as Teams, Zoom or FaceTime. The microphone system adapts to your environment to isolate your voice from competing background noises and wind so that you can confidently take a call, knowing you will be heard clearly and naturally. In addition, self-voice allows you to hear yourself naturally, as if you weren’t wearing headphones at all, so you can monitor the volume of your voice and minimize the effects of speaking while wearing headphones.

Question 28

How do I pair Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones with my mobile device?

Accepted Answer

First, make sure your headphones are turned on with the slider switch in the middle “On” position. Next, slide and hold the switch to the Bluetooth icon until the Bluetooth LED flashes blue or when the voice prompt indicates the headphones have entered into pairing mode. Please note, if this is your first time connecting the headphones, they will automatically turn on into pairing mode. Voice prompts will provide you with additional guidance. We recommend using the Bose app to complete the pairing process, however, Bluetooth settings on your device can be used to complete pairing.

Question 29

What is the range of QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

Accepted Answer

Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones have a range of up to 30 ft (9 meters) from the source device. This range may be reduced by physical obstructions, such as walls and doors, or by interference from other electronic devices. Pops or a cracking noise may be heard if there’s interference with the Bluetooth connection. If that happens, move away from wireless routers or microwaves and bring your headphones closer to the Bluetooth device.

Question 30

How do I charge QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

Accepted Answer

The headphones can be charged using the USB-C cable supplied in the box and plugging into a USB port on a PC, laptop, or wall charger. Allow up to 2 hours for the headphones to fully charge. The battery light indicator will show an amber light while the headphones are charging and turn green when fully charged. When you don’t have time for a full charge, the fast-charge feature provides up to 3 hours of play time from a quick, 15-minute charge.

Question 31

Can I listen to music using the audio cable with the headphones turned off?

Accepted Answer

No. QuietComfort Ultra Headphones feature proprietary Bose active EQ to provide incredible, life-like sound, in conjunction with a personalized listening experience enabled by CustomTune technology. To enable this, the headphones must be powered on during use, including when using the auxiliary audio cable.

Question 32

Do QuietComfort Ultra Headphones support USB audio?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 33

Can the Ultra Headphones connect to more than one Bluetooth device at a time, or switch easily between Bluetooth devices?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Ultra Headphones have the Bluetooth multipoint feature allowing them to connect to two source devices at the same time. This is a recent update as of July 2024, so be sure to set up your earbuds with the Bose app to receive software updates.

Microphones	Built-in Microphone
Sound Options	Surround Sound Configuration, 5.1.2 Speakers, Multiroom
Controls	Remote Control, In App Control, In App Volume Control, Source Switching
Entire Product System	2.29" H x 41.14" W x 4.21" D (12.68 lb)
Product Material	Plastic, Metal
Wireless Connectivity	Bluetooth, Network (WiFi Enabled)
Bluetooth Version	5.0
Bluetooth Range	33'
Bose App	Bose App

Headphone Fit	Around Ear Circumaural
Headband	On Head Adjustable
Cushions	Removable Cushion
Microphones	Built-in Microphone
Noise Cancelling	Yes
Noise Control Type	Active Noise Cancelling, Echo Reduction, Adjustable Noise Cancelling
Audio cable included	Yes
Case	Carry
Headphone	7.7" H x 5.5" W x 2.0" D (0.56 lb)
Product Material	Plastic, Aluminum, Leather (Protein)
Product Case Material	Plastic (Hard)
Ear Cushion Material	Protein Leather
Rechargeable	Yes
Battery Life	24 hours
Battery Charge Time	3 hours
Charging Accessory included	Yes
Charging Interface(s)	USB C PORT
Wireless Connectivity	Bluetooth, A2DP Bluetooth Audio Streaming, HFP Bluetooth, AVRCP Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy
Bluetooth Version	5.3
Bluetooth Range	30'
Bose App	Bose App

Smart Ultra Soundbar + QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

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