Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa vs Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2
Between the ATH-R70xa and QuietComfort Ultra 2, the ATH-R70xa comes out ahead in weight and driver size, while the QuietComfort Ultra 2 wins on active noise cancellation and spatial audio. Overall, the ATH-R70xa scores 66.2 and the QuietComfort Ultra 2 scores 64 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (66.2 vs 64). The decision isn't about overall quality — both clear the bar — it's about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the ATH-R70xa if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight, driver size.
Pick the QuietComfort Ultra 2 if audio quality and feature breadth (ANC, codecs, multipoint) are the lead criteria for your purchase. Its strongest claims are active noise cancellation, spatial audio, multipoint, among others.
Both ship with comparable ldac, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Why Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa wins
- ▲Weight — 43.00 g less. 210 vs 253.
- ▲Driver size — 28.57% more. 45 mm vs 35 mm.
Why Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 wins
- ▲Has Active noise cancellation.
- ▲Has Spatial audio.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
- ▲Battery life: 30 h vs 0 h.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 210 glead | 253 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 45 mmlead | 35 mm |
| Impedanceⓘ | 470 Ωlead | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 99 dBlead | 98 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | false | truelead |
| Transparency mode | false | truelead |
| Spatial audioⓘ | false | truelead |
Battery
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 0 h | 30 hlead |
| Fast chargeⓘ | false | truelead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Audio-Technica - ATH-R70xa | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 0 | 5.4lead |
| Multipointⓘ | false | truelead |
| 3.5mm jack | true | true |
| LDACⓘ | false | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | false | truelead |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, ATH-R70xa or QuietComfort Ultra 2?+
QuietComfort Ultra 2 lasts 30 hours vs 0 hours.
Do ATH-R70xa or QuietComfort Ultra 2 have active noise cancellation?+
QuietComfort Ultra 2 has ANC; ATH-R70xa does not.
Which supports LDAC, ATH-R70xa or QuietComfort Ultra 2?+
Neither supports LDAC.
Spec-level deep dives
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