- According to Bang & Olufsen, the new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 should prove to be the new flagship in the headphone sector and an outstanding solution in the wearables sector.
It is well known that Bang & Olufsen is never short of superlatives when describing new products, praising them in the highest terms. In the case of the new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100, the company even goes so far as to talk about a solution that redefines the quality standard in the wearables sector and describes these new Bluetooth over-ear headphones as the company’s new flagship in this segment.
The new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 can do no less than usher in a new era of beautiful sound and represents the true potential of a wearable from Bang & Olufsen.
Learning from history, redefining the future of listening
The new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 looks back on almost a century of history to redefine the future of listening, according to Bang & Olufsen. The new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 is intended to build on the success of the Bang & Olufsen H95, the most successful headphones from Bang & Olufsen to date.
However, the new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 has been improved in almost all areas, according to the Danish company’s promise.
Made from high-quality, exclusive materials
Particular attention was paid to an exclusive design and exclusive materials. For example, a silky-smooth, scratch-resistant and hardened glass touch surface is used on the sides of the ear cups, which, together with precise rotary controls and tactile buttons, form the basis for intuitive operation. Using the Bang & Olufsen app for Apple iOS and Google Android, you can of course customise the controls to suit your own needs.
The ear pads are softly padded and covered with lambskin, while the removable headband features a breathable textile fabric.
This headphone model is available in three design variants: Infinite Black, Hourglass Sand and Sunset Apricot. The Infinite Black colour refers to Bang & Olufsen’s classic design aesthetic, in which the deep black leather contrasts with the natural-coloured aluminium. The Hourglass Sand colour has a Scandinavian tone-on-tone approach, while Sunset Apricot has a light copper aluminium that contrasts with the warm peach tones of the leather.
“When developing the Beoplay H100, we focussed on creating an immersive sound experience with ultimate comfort. Getting to the point, we wanted to use high-quality materials and colours inspired by fine jewellery to create a timeless and sophisticated design. With the solid shine of aluminium, the softness of leather and the cool glass, the Beoplay H100 not only feels great in sound, but also in design.”
Tiina Kierysch, Head of Design at Bang & Olufsen
Outstanding sound
The basis for the special sound quality promised by the manufacturer of the new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 is said to be a 40 mm driver made of titanium, which is located behind an elegant aluminium grille and is designed to play content in Hi-res audio at up to 24 bit and 96 kHz.
With the help of the new Bang & Olufsen EarSense adaptive audio processing, a personalised and unparalleled listening experience is to be achieved, in which the sound is adapted in real time to the unique fit of the wearer. The Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 is equipped for spatial audio including head tracking and is therefore able to play content in Dolby Atmos.
Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation is said to be available for undisturbed music enjoyment, allowing you to fully perceive your surroundings again at the touch of a button using Bang & Olufsen True Transparency.
The headphones have no less than ten microphones, two of which are analogue feedback microphones that analyse the environment for ANC, and four digital MEMS voice microphones and four MEMS feed-forward microphones are used for the hands-free function of the new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100, for which the manufacturer promises the highest voice quality free from disturbing ambient noise.
Bluetooth 5.3 and the SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs are used for signal transmission, although the latter will only be added in a firmware update in 2025.
The headphones support Bluetooth multipoint pairing with two devices, and from 2025 even with three devices, as the manufacturer emphasises. The headphones have Google Fast Pair, Made for iPhone (MFi) and Microsoft Swift Pair certifications and also bear the Hi-res Audio logo.
Battery life of up to 34 hours
According to the manufacturer, the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100’s integrated rechargeable battery allows up to 34 hours of playtime. A quick-charge function provides a full five hours of playtime after just five minutes of charging. Charging is via USB-C cable.
“The Beoplay H100 is the best pair of headphones we have ever developed. Whether you’re listening to your favourite music, making a phone call in a noisy environment, controlling the effects of your surroundings with active noise cancellation or audio transparency, the H100 always delivers exceptional audio performance.
To enjoy great sound, you need silence. In a quiet environment, you experience how effortlessly the Beoplay H100 delivers the sound clarity and dynamic performance normally associated with High-end speakers. When commuting or travelling, you want to be able to control the impact of noise on your experience. To achieve this, we have developed an advanced microphone system that delivers a crystal clear voice even in very demanding situations, doubled the performance of our active noise cancellation (ANC) from the Beoplay H95 and developed EarSense technology that adjusts the sound in real time to the individual fit of the wearer while listening to music on the go.”
Neo Kaplanis, Director of Technology at Bang & Olufsen
Designed for sustainability
According to the manufacturer, the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 was developed according to the cradle-to-cradle principle, which emphasises its commitment to the recyclability, reparability and longevity of its products.
The focus here is on user-replaceable parts, especially in those areas that are subject to particularly high wear and tear, maintainable components and a software platform that is equipped for future updates and upgrades. If you buy Bang & Olufsen Beocare, the manufacturer offers a five-year guarantee.
“We are delighted to bring our modular design concept to the Bang & Olufsen wearables category for the first time. This is the right step in our journey to improve the circularity of our products across our portfolio. With the Beoplay H100, we have prioritised durability, maintenance and repairability through modular design. We have also developed our software with the future in mind so that the headphones can adapt and evolve with new technologies to offer a truly timeless design.”
Mads Kogsgaard Hansen, Head of Product Circularity and Portfolio Planning at Bang & Olufsen
Prices and availability
The new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 will be available immediately from specialist retailers at a recommended retail price of € 1.499,- according to the manufacturer. As already described, you can choose between three design versions – Infinite Black, Hourglass Sand and Sunset Apricot. A lightweight and luxurious leather case is included in the scope of delivery, as the manufacturer describes this accessory.
Getting to the point
The new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 is nothing less than the new flagship in Bang & Olufsen’s wearable devices range. According to the Danish specialist, these are headphones that set new standards in their segment, with unrivalled sound quality, outstanding digital noise cancellation, a new modular construction and a unique design.
| PRODUCT | Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY H100 |
|---|---|
| Price | € 1.499,- |
| Brand | BANG & OLUFSEN |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Bang & Olufsen |
| Distribution | Bang & Olufsen |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
