Bose's first-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones are now available for $280, a $150 discount from their original price of $430. This offer represents a 35% savings, surpassing last year's Black Friday deals. Engadget's review of these headphones awarded them a score of 86 out of 100, praising their superior active noise cancellation (ANC) and comfort.

Bose has historically trailed competitors like Sony and Sennheiser in sound quality, but the QuietComfort Ultra marked a significant improvement. The headphones feature 'Immersive Audio,' Bose's spatial audio technology, which aims to place listeners in the acoustic sweet spot of stereo speakers. While this feature didn't always enhance sound quality, it did increase volume and highlighted certain audio details.

With up to 24 hours of battery life with ANC enabled and 18 hours with both ANC and Immersive Audio on, the QuietComfort Ultra offers impressive endurance. Engadget's testing showed that the battery performance even exceeded Bose's claims. Although the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra is currently the top choice for noise-canceling headphones, the first-generation model remains a strong contender, especially at this discounted price.

For those seeking premium noise-canceling headphones, this sale presents an excellent opportunity. The QuietComfort Ultra's combination of comfort, noise cancellation, and sound quality makes them a worthy investment, especially during this limited-time offer.