used an acrylic paint marker.

not sure if i want to do more or whether its finished like this, i like it minimal...

i think it would like some red and perhaps some blue...

Hey everybody,

I've been losing my mind for the last couple of hours and I hope someone's run into this issue or knows a fix before I return them.

I just got the headphones 2 days ago, updated them to firmware v8.2.20 (confirmed in the Bose app), and I connected them via USB-C to my Windows 11 PC and then to my Macbook laptop.

The audio playback works fine, but the microphone input shows no signal whatsoever.
It's just the 2-way audio (mic input) that seems completely non-functional, on every device I've tested it on.

Has anyone else run across this issue as well?
Trying to figure out if this is a known defect before I go back to the retailer for an exchange.

My QC35 ii finally kicked the bucket after 7 years so I'm looking for a replacement. I'm torn between the 2023 QC or the QC Gen 2 (the Ultras don't interest me because I hate touch controls.)

The features on the Gen 2 look appealing, but it looks like its entirely plastic unlike the gen 1 which at least has a metal headband interior. My old pair broke by cracking the metal headband, so I'm a bit worried about how durable the new model would be with lesser material. Can anybody vouch for the gen 2 build quality?

I've done my best searching the internet and other Reddit threads for an answer to this problem, but nothing I've found matches the exact problem I'm having. I'm hoping someone here can at least point me in the right direction.

I've been trying to use my headphones for remote therapy sessions, and every time I do, they throw an absolute fit. If I turn my headphones on and pair them with my laptop before joining the video call, then the audio output will work just fine for about 15-20 minutes, and then out of nowhere it'll start crackling, and my therapist's voice will start distorting like crazy (though she can hear me just fine.) If I turn off my headphones and then turn them back on and reconnect them while the call is going, I can hear all the sounds coming from my laptop just fine except sound from the video call. AND my therapist can still hear ME just fine. This is getting really disruptive during my sessions, and I'm fed up with it.

Additional info:

- I'm running Windows 11 on my laptop.

- The program I'm using for my sessions is SimplePractice

- My headphones are paired with both my laptop and my iPhone 13 mini, but disconnecting the multipoint connection from my iPhone doesn't seem to help. I haven't had any issues with the multipoint connection before, either. It usually switches between devices seamlessly.

- I have a wireless logitech mouse plugged into my laptop, and my computer is connected to wifi, but those are the only other active devices in my space. Our wifi router is upstairs, and my gaming computer nearby is hardwired and usually shut down. I have a pair of Shockz headphones that I sometimes switch to if my Bose headphones act up, but they're always shut down when I start the call. (I can turn those on and connect to my laptop in the middle of the call just fine, if it matters.) If anything else is interfering with the signal, I don't know what it could be.

- These headphones have occasionally had issues with Discord calls. Specifically they won't play any audio from Discord voice calls (though I have no idea if the audio input is affected.) However, I never get the sudden crackling/distortion 15 minutes into the call, and this issue HAS been fixed by fiddling with the pairing and turning them off/on again. This issue also doesn't happen every time, and my most recent Discord calls I've done have gone smoothly.

- I don't usually use them for calls on my iPhone, so I can't remember if I've had this issue on my phone before. I don't think I've had any major issues, though, because I can't remember anything specific.

Any help you guys can give me would be super appreciated.

I’ve just bought these headphones as Gen 2 Ultras, but it has a short USB A to C and no cinema mode. Bose app doesn’t specify Gen 2. The silver bits are matte.

Are these gen2s or am I overthinking?

EDIT:
Appreciate all the help with this, they were bought on Vinted and the seller pretty much admitted to trying to scam me… without saying sorry. He has agreed to refund me in full and Vinted have said that they ‘take these matters very seriously’… but no action has been taken against the seller.

Sound Link ll Mini -
My speaker now only shows the solid red LED light when plugged in with the original power source. It will not power on. Any suggestions?

Is there any way to change the bass level on this

I figured I would share a positive-ish warranty experience with Bose USA chat. I purchased these in November 2025 and just had the seam bond fail. After reaching out to Bose chat I was initially offered to purchase a "Quiet Comfort Headphones Ear Cushion Kit" for $54 dollars since the "...ear cushion kit is considered an accessory.", but protested since this was clearly the material bond failing and not wear and tear. The agent checked some "resources" and offered the kit free of charge as a one time curiosity.

A win is a win. But damn, those cushion kits are over priced.

Can’t find any good documentation to help me so I’m turning to Reddit. I have a Bose lifestyle 525 series 3(I think) home entertainment system. Recently it’s stoped working and I’m getting this error message on the screen(first photo). All cables are plugged in and I don’t really know what to do. I’d appreciate any help and if you need any other info/photos let me know.

So I have bose quietcomfort and whenever it’s connected to my iPhone and I’m listening to music and I get a call there is always mic issues, I have to literally switch off the headphones or change output source for call, Same issue has happened multiple times with both whatsapp and normal call.

Anyone knows the solution for this ?

Unrelated note - Can you turn off ambient mode in this headphone, Basically turn off every anc or ambient mode and just listen music, Sometimes while listening music small noises can cause a lot of disturbances

they are so pretty i love bose designs can’t wait to see how they perform

Hey everyone!

My Soundlink Mini 2 won't power on at all. The only sign of life is all 3 LED lights turning on solid while it's charging - as soon as I unplug it, the lights go off and nothing happens no matter what button I press.

Using the original Bose charger, no third-party stuff. Charged it for about an hour, gets slightly warm (seems normal), no smell/swelling/anything scary.

Does anyone know the possible cause and how to fix it? Thanks in advance!

I know you need a device to use to connect- having a hard time finding one that seems like it would work with a USBc connection.

Any suggestions?

I had an older model of Bose Quiet Comfort that my brother gave me as a hand-me-down and they were great! They were at least 5 years old so I'm not sure which model they were but I had no problems with them...that is until the charging port melted while I was charging them, rendering them unusable. I contacted Bose and they sent me ​QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Second Gen free of charge, which I was very grateful for...until I started wearing them. They are completely unusable on the bus, the thumping sound they make when going over the slightest bumps is DEAFENING. It's so loud it actually hurts my ears. I'm really shocked by this because all my life Bose was considered to be the best, now I can't even wear them in transit?? I can't imagine paying hundreds of dollars for these headphones only for them to be faulty. Is Bose working on a fix for this? Or are they just accepting waves of returns for the foreseeable future?

I got the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), and I noticed that the Bluetooth/power button (on the right ear-cup) does not cycle through existing Bluetooth sources anymore. It literally does nothing when pressed once. It seems that button only turns the headphones on or off, and puts it in pairing mode.

So if I'm connected to my phone, and I want to switch the active connection to my laptop for example, I can't use that button anymore to quickly switch to the laptop. I would need to pick up my phone, open the Bose app, click the headphone from the products list, click Sources, then click the laptop connection to activate it.

Why would Bose think this is a good idea? The QC Ultra (1st gen) worked just fine.

Does anyone know of a hack to enable the headphone button to have the original behavior?

Note: This has nothing to do with Multi-point Connection setting. I don't enable that setting because I don't need multiple connections at the same time. I tried enabling that setting temporarily, but the button still won't allow me to switch to another device.

Note: I also noticed upon startup that the voice that announces the battery level is gone too.

Just got a new Bose Smart Soundbar (not the Ultra - just the Smart one), the dialogue is fantastic but I feel like the sound is tinny especially when anyone makes an “S” sound. I compared it against my old soundbar and my tv, and confirmed it is indeed the soundbar. I’m starting to wonder if this is due to being an all in one bar and not one with a dedicated subwoofer. Has anyone else noticed this? I’ve played with the equalizer as well and I can’t get rid of the sharp tinny sounds when people say certain things.

I have a Bose QuietComfort SE and need to replace the ear cushions.

I ordered a replacement from Amazon, but the cushions turned out to be noticeably bigger than the original ones.

I specifically want genuine Bose/OEM cushions, or a very good replacement that has the same size, foam thickness and fit as the original, without affecting ANC.

From what I’ve found, QC45 cushions should fit the QuietComfort SE, but I’m not sure where to get genuine ones in India.

Has anyone in India actually bought genuine QC45/QC SE replacement cushions? Where did you buy them, and how was the fit?

Model: Bose QuietComfort SE
Product no.: 866724-0500

Would really appreciate links/seller recommendations.

for some reason, every time I start my PC in the morning my headphone doesn't connect automatically, which make that I have no sound

and I can't connect it manually, I have to restart entirelly my PC to finally be connected, after that there are no problem for the entire day

but it's very weird and frustrating as I lost a lot of time to start my PC a first time then restart it a second time to connect the headphone

for information I have changed my headphone with a new one, same model, quietcomfort ultra 2, and the problem is still here, though that problem was not here when I was using other headphones that are not from bose

does someone know where does it can come from ?

thanks

Just bought the new Bose QC Ultra 2. They sound excellent when I’m at home, but I noticed a pretty annoying thumping/static sound when travelling on bumpy roads, especially on the bus.

I saw some people returning their headphones because of this issue, so I was a bit worried.
However, I read that enabling Commute Mode in the Bose app can help. I tried it today, and surprisingly, it reduced the bumping/thumping sound by a lot. It’s not completely gone, still hear some bumping but it’s nowhere near as bad as before.

So if you’re having the same issue, maybe try Commute Mode before returning them. It made a pretty big difference for me.

Hopefully this helps someone else!

Expiring August 31st.

L I N K

I would say I can count a couple of times I’ve probably listened to them while I’m in transit. I don’t always but I saw someone say they don’t work in public at all. Let’s just say I have a number of issues but as someone who commutes regularly that is not one. I’m referring to the other thread that weirdly aligns with how I sometimes commute.

I’ve had these for about 7-8 months use them everyday but the other day they stopped connecting to my phone. I shut them off turned them back on and it did the usual “battery 90%” then it said “Bluetooth off” and wouldn’t play any audio but was still saying it was connected to my phone. I unpaired them from my phone and now they won’t even show up in the Bluetooth pairing menu on my phone HELP PLEASE🤧😭