Bang & Olufsen recently announced the release of their new Beoplay H100 headphones, coming with a hefty price tag of $1,549. This is a significant increase from their previous H95 model, which now retails for $999. The company justifies this price hike by emphasizing the use of premium materials, improved noise-cancellation, and enhanced repairability to potentially extend the headphones’ lifespan.
One notable feature of the H100 headphones is the use of materials like lambskin leather on the ear pad cushions and scratch-resistant glass on the touchpad controls. While not entirely groundbreaking for Bang & Olufsen, the ability to easily detach and replace the ear pad and headband cushions is a new addition. This design improvement makes it simpler to repair or replace components like batteries, drivers, and circuit boards, which is crucial for ensuring the longevity of such high-priced headphones.
Sound Quality and Technology
The H100 headphones boast a pair of 40-millimeter “custom-made titanium drivers” for delivering sound. They support high-resolution 96kHz/24-bit audio as well as Dolby Atmos spatial audio with built-in head tracking. The active noise-cancellation feature is powered by 10 microphones, promising a significant improvement in performance. Switching between ANC and transparency modes is made convenient with an adjustable haptic dial on the ear cups.
In terms of battery life, the H100 headphones offer 32 hours with ANC activated, which is a slight decrease from the H95 model’s 38-hour battery life. With spatial audio and head tracking enabled, the battery life is further reduced by two hours. Interestingly, similar to Apple’s AirPods Max, the H100 headphones do not have a power button and instead turn on automatically when worn. They enter a low-power mode when taken off, with 90 days of standby time, and power off completely when stored in the included carrying case. Bang & Olufsen also claims that a quick five-minute charge can provide an additional five hours of playback time.
Availability and Color Options
The Beoplay H100 headphones are currently available for purchase through Bang & Olufsen’s website, offering customers a choice of three different colorways: infinite black, hourglass sand, and sunset apricot.
The release of the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 headphones represents a significant investment in premium audio technology. While the price may be a barrier for some consumers, the focus on premium materials, improved repairability, and advanced features like Dolby Atmos spatial audio make these headphones a compelling option for audiophiles and tech enthusiasts alike.
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