Immersive Sound on the Go: A Review of Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay H100
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High-end Danish electronics brand Bang & Olufsen have unveiled their latest headphones, the Beoplay H100, which are crafted to take the luxurious legacy of the Beoplay H95 up a notch.
This new model showcases the full potential of Bang & Olufsen’s audio wearables. According to CEO Kristian Teär, “Beoplay H100 elevates what we have accomplished over the past ten decades and defines our future: an era where beautiful sound is built to last. It represents the true potential of what a Bang & Olufsen audio wearable can be.”
Build, Appearance, and Comfort
Put simply, the first thing you notice about the Beoplay H100 headphones is they look great. The headphones come in 3 classy colors: Sunset Apricot, Infinite Black and Hourglass Sand. We loved the elegant Hourglass Sand, but their range of colors suit all personalities and complement any outfit.
The detachable headband is finely crafted in leather and wrapped in a knitted textile, a detail which takes the headphones to the next level. Its ear cushions are made from plush lambskin – giving the headphones an elegant Italian vibe.
Sound and Call Quality
Clearly these headphones are not just intended to turn heads – with B&O, it’s all about the audio. B&O [Bang & Olufsen to be formal] have been pushing the limits of quality audio gear for nearly 100 years and are still at the forefront of the game.
The Beoplay H100 are, we think, simply the best, providing an immersive and crystal-clear audio experience that is second to none. To get technical, these headphones are optimized for Dolby Atmos an audio technology which gives a superlative immersive sound experience, whilst electro-dynamic titanium drivers work their magic on the sound waves.
This results in impressive noise cancelling features which meant this reviewer could listen to their favorite mumble rapper whilst squashed on the MTR during rush hour — and not miss a beat. We were impressed by the H100's "True Transparency" mode, which provides clear ambient sound when needed. Additionally, its "Quick Listen" feature allows users to quickly hear their surroundings by lifting an earcup or covering it with their palm.”
Like most of B&O’s products the Beoplay H100 can be controlled via the B&O app, allowing you to preset your musical preferences for the day. Feel you need to pump up the bass – no problem. It’s all done via a quick adjustment on the app.
For everyday listening, you can activate stopping and starting a track as easily as tapping the side of the ear cover, and simply twist its built-in dial forward to increase transparency or backward to increase Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). You will hear distinct sound feedback from your surroundings when you have reached the maximum transparency setting.
Battery Life
The H100's battery life takes the cake. We have often complained that great advances in tech have not been matched by longer battery life. So we immediately fell for the Beoplay H100’s fast charging feature. A quick charge of only 5 minutes will give you an impressive 5-hour playback (when using the specified USB cable) whilst a regular one-hour battery charge gives over 30 hours of playtime.
If you are in the habit of leaving your headphones lying about, you might also appreciate low-power mode which extends standby time to 90 days when the headphones are stored outside their case.
Make sure not to forget your accompanying chic leather pouch which offers the headphones stylish protection, provides space for charging cables, and even automatically puts them on standby mode. As soon as you take them out of the pouch, the headphones switch back on. Incredibly, when your headphones are left inside the leather pouch, the battery will last more than a year in deep sleep mode.
Sustainability
B&O’s commitment to durability is also worth a mention. Headphones get bashed around quite a bit, stuffed into bags and piled on various surfaces. Usually, a slight bit of damage leads to the whole product being sent to the bin.
Happily, the Beoplay H100 has been built with a modular design, so that individual parts can be easily replaced, including the battery, headband, cushions, and even the titanium drivers. An extended 5-year warranty is also on offer, which gives a little more reassurance that this premium product has been built to last. Also, when a new feature comes out, you can update and experience it right away.
Final Thoughts
The Beoplay H100 retail at a rather hefty HK$11,998, but its innovative features combined with pleasing aesthetic put these headphones in a different league and will be topping our Santa’s List this year!
The Beoplay H100 is available today at Bang & Olufsen stores. For more information, visit Bang & Olufsen on their website, or on Facebook and Instagram.
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