Bang & Olufsen release their most expensive pair of wireless headphones yet
Bang & Olufsen’s new $1,549 Beoplay H100 come with a premium design, replaceable parts, hi-res audio, ANC, spatial audio and more!
High-end consumer electronics company Bang & Olufsen are no stranger to pricey audio gear, such as the Beoplay H95 headphones launching for $800, but the new Beoplay H100 are expensive, even by Bang & Olufsen’s standards. So what justifies the $1,549 price tag?
As with past Bang & Olufsen headphones, the Beoplay H100 feature a striking, luxury design, including an inner headband, with multiple layers of cushion foam, wrapped in knitted textile, as well as lambskin leather ear pad cushions. New to the H100 is a modular design. Parts, like the battery, headband, cushions, drivers and circuit boards can be swapped out or serviced as they become worn over time. It’s currently unclear how much spare parts will cost. Despite a modular design, the headphones are still IP53 dust and waterproof.
On the inside, behind the aluminium grills, sound is driven by 40mm custom-made titanium drivers. In terms of tech, the H100 feature EarSense, to tailor sound to your fit in real time. The headphones support Hi-Res sound, up to 96kHz/24-bit audio, and will support the LDAC codec for wireless hi-res in a software update expected in 2025. The headphones also support Dolby Atmos spatial audio with headtracking, for a 3D, surround sound-like experience.
Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair are both supported for quick connection with new Android and Windows devices. At launch, you’ll also get multipoint audio, for simultaneous connection of two devices. Planned to launch in a software update next year is 3-device multipoint.
There are ten microphones located around the Beoplay H100s, which enable active noice cancellation, transparency mode and clear calls, along with reduced wind and background noise. As on other models, there’s a rotating haptic dial to switch between ANC and TrueTransparency mode, so you can easily let in the perfect amount of outside sound.
Continuing with controls, the outer surface is a scratch-resistant hardened glass, which allows taps and swipes to control music. There’s also physical buttons on both earcups, which can switch between ANC/Transparency, active Siri/Google Assistant, or mute/unmute audio
Download the Bang & Olufsen app to tune your listening, personalize the interface and update your headphones, with the ability to switch listening modes, choose EQ presets, fully customizable the EQ, optimise call settings, customizable touch controls and install firmware updates.
The Beoplay H100 are good for 32 hours of playtime with ANC enabled and 30 hours with Spatial Audio and headtracking turned on. Plug the headphones in for a 5-minute quick charge for 5 hours of playback. The headphones power on automatically when worn and enter low-power mode when taken off. They last on standby for 90 days. When placed in the case, they’ll power off completely.
Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay H100 headphones come in three colors, Infinite Black, Hourglass Sand and a special edition Sunset Apricot. Included in the box is a color-matched leather pouch, with a soft inner lining, USB-C to USB-C cable and USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable.
