Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones worth the upgrade from the Shure Srh440a?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Shure Srh440a to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones buys you 12.2 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in sound (7.0 to 8.5) and value (7.5 to 8.6). On paper: active noise cancelling, weight 268 g to 254 g and usb-c. Worth checking: driver size goes 40 mm to 35 mm. That costs $170 more, or about $14 per point of score - reasonable value for the jump. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.08.5
- Value7.58.6
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Srh440a | QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes | |
| Weight | 268 g | 254 g | |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 35 mm | |
| USB-C | No | Yes | |
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic | 35 mm dynamic | |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz - 22 kHz | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Srh440a to QuietComfort Ultra Headphones". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.