Premium audio brand Bang & Olufsen is known for its high-end designs and equally outrageous prices. Typically, the company’s earphones and headphones are more expensive than most of its competitors, but not astronomically so. But the company’s flagship noise-canceling headphones have changed that. Following the $999 Beoplay H95, B&O has introduced the $1,549 Beoplay H100. According to the company, the H95 is their “most successful headphone to date,” and the H100 improves on that model in a number of ways.
Like most of B&O’s headphones, the Beoplay H100 are made from premium materials, from the lambskin leather ear pads to aluminum and knitted fabric. The outside of the ear cups also feature a scratch-resistant glass touch interface. The company says that the black, sand and apricot color options are inspired by fine jewelry, and each combine “the solid shine of aluminum, the softness of leather and the cool-to-the-touch glass” in what B&O describes as “excellent design.” Both the inner headband and ear pads are removable, so they can be replaced if they become worn or dirty.
Inspired by the company’s Beolab 90 speakers, the Beoplay H100 features 40mm drivers that deliver “sound clarity and dynamic performance that you would normally only find in premium speakers.” It also comes with high-resolution audio, supporting 96kHz/24bit tunes. It also has Dolby Atmos and head tracking. B&O says that its adaptive audio technology, called EarSense, monitors the fit of the headphones and adjusts the sound profile in real time.
Bang & Olufsen
B&O says the set employs 10 microphones that double the active noise cancellation (ANC) performance of the H95 and also offers what the company describes as its best Transparency mode yet. What’s more, you can turn a dial on the outside of the ear cup to find your preferred level of what’s called TrueTransparency. There’s also a Quick Listening mode for when you need to pay immediate attention to your surroundings but don’t necessarily want to enable Transparency mode. Of course, there are lofty claims of crystal clear calls “even in the most demanding situations,” but that’s to be expected from any headphone maker.
The company has designed its speakers and other audio equipment with longevity in mind. B&O says it makes its products so they can be updated for years before they become obsolete. It also makes them easy for technicians to repair. This all applies to the H100, a point that should definitely be emphasized when charging over $1,000 for a set of headphones. Aside from cosmetic upgrades that users can finish themselves, the company says the headphones’ design allows for quick access to repair the battery, glass surface, drivers and circuit boards. The company says the software “will not be overtaken by new technology,” and key features like wireless high-resolution audio and three-device multipoint Bluetooth will be included in future updates.
Like the AirPods Max, the Beoplay H100 go into low-power mode when removed from their carrying case and not being worn. The company says the headphones can stay in this state for up to 90 days, and are ready to go when you put them on. When stored in the case, however, the headphones power down completely. The H100 lasts up to 34 hours on a single charge with ANC on, which is four hours less than the more affordable H95.
The Beoplay H100 is available to buy from B&O stores and the company’s website starting today.
