Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, second generation, that give a muffled or one-sided microphone on calls have a fit, a software or a connection problem to sort out, and the order of checks is simple. These earbuds have Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio, an IPX4 rating, and a battery that lasts up to six hours with Immersive Audio off. Each bud has microphones and a processing system that blends them with the noise cancelling, and the quality of the call depends on a good fit, clean openings and a stable connection to the phone.
The checks in more detail
Check the fit and the mic openings first. A call that sounds thin or distant for the other person often means that the earbud is not seated in the ear properly, so try the other ear tip and stability band sizes until you get a snug, stable seal, and let the CustomTune calibration run when you insert the buds. Look at the small microphone openings on each bud, which can clog with earwax or lint;
clean them gently with a dry soft brush or cotton and do not push anything into them. If only one person on the call is affected, ask whether the problem is on your side by recording a voice memo with the earbuds. Then the connection and the settings. Make sure both buds are charged and in the ears, because the call may use only one microphone if one bud is low. In the Bose app check the call and the self-voice settings and update the firmware.
On the phone, check that the earbuds are selected as the input for the calling app, and that the app has microphone permission. Forget the earbuds on the phone and re-pair if the problem began after an update. A phone using a crowded Bluetooth environment can also sound poor, so move away from interference. If the microphone is still poor with a good fit, clean openings and fresh pairing, contact Bose with the serial number from the case.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds microphone sounds bad or is not detected”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A poor fit or the wrong ear tip
What separates it The other person says you sound distant
How to confirm Try other tip and band sizes
- 2
Blocked microphone openings
What separates it Muffled speech
How to confirm Clean the openings gently
- 3
A low bud or one bud only
What separates it One-sided or quiet sound
How to confirm Charge both buds and wear both
- 4
The wrong input or missing permission
What separates it The call app does not use the earbuds
How to confirm Select the earbuds as input and grant permission
- 5
A firmware or pairing fault
What separates it The problem began after an update
How to confirm Update and re-pair
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Who hears the problem and in which app
- Whether both buds are charged
- Whether the fit is snug
- The phone and its software version
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedRefit the buds
ReversibleTry other tips and bands.
Let CustomTune run
ReversibleWait for the tone.
Clean the mic openings
ReversibleGently.
Charge both buds
ReversibleAnd wear both.
Check input and permissions
ReversibleOn the phone.
Contact Bose
ReversibleIf it stays poor.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The microphones
- Each bud has several microphones that work with the noise cancelling.
- Fit
- The seal and the calibration depend on the right tips and bands.
- The openings
- Wax and lint block them.
- The phone
- It must select the earbuds as the input.
- Firmware
- It improves call handling.
- Bose help
- Quote the serial number from the case.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Do not push objects into the microphone openings
- !Do not use the earbuds in water beyond their rating
- !Contact Bose if sound is distorted at all volumes
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why do my earbuds sound muffled on calls?+
A poor fit, clogged microphone openings or a connection problem.
Does the fit matter for the microphone?+
Yes, a stable seal helps the calibration.
Can I clean the openings?+
Yes, gently and dry.
Does LE Audio matter?+
It is a newer Bluetooth feature on this model.
Should I update the firmware?+
Yes, in the Bose app.