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Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2023
Bose

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2023

93
/ 100
From $429
VS
Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black wins by 1
Audeze MM-500 — Planar magnetic
Audeze

Audeze MM-500

Planar magnetic

92
/ 100
From $1,699
Specdex verdict

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black lands at 93 and Audeze MM-500 at 92. That puts Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Audeze MM-500 if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Tie

Tuning, detail, and staging

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise cancelling

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black leads on anc (91 vs 0).

Comfort

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

Long-session wearability

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black leads on comfort (92 vs 88).

Value for money

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($429 vs $1,699).

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black 93
vs
92 Audeze MM-500

Score breakdown

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black
93
anc 91
sound 93
comfort 92
battery 82
features 89
Audeze MM-500
92
anc 0
sound 92
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black versus Audeze MM-500 — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black Audeze MM-500
Type
Over-ear
Planar magnetic
Release year
2023
—

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Audeze MM-500

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

FAQ: Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black vs Audeze MM-500

Which is better, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black or Audeze MM-500? +

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $429, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in sound.

Is Audeze MM-500 worth the price? +

At $1,699, Audeze MM-500 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in battery.

Does Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black or Audeze MM-500 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black or Audeze MM-500? +

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black — leads on anc (91 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.

Which is better for comfort, Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black or Audeze MM-500? +

Bose QC Ultra Headphones · Midnight Black — leads on comfort (92 vs 88). Long-session wearability.