Bang & OlufsenBeoplay HX – Comfortable Wireless ANC Over-Ear Headphones - Timber

Silence and Sound in Perfect HarmonyFor years, I settled for "good enough" headphones. They played music, they blocked out some noise, and they didn't cost a fortune. But as I spent more time commuting, traveling, and trying to find focus in noisy environments, I realized that "good enough" wasn't cutting it anymore. I craved an audio experience that was truly immersive, comfortable enough for hours on end, and capable of creating a bubble of calm in a chaotic world. I decided it was time to invest in something exceptional, and the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX headphones entered the picture. They promised a blend of luxury, performance, and silence, and they have delivered a level of audio bliss I didn't know I was missing.Unboxing these headphones feels like unwrapping a piece of art. The minimalist Scandinavian design is stunning, and the materials are simply exquisite. The soft lambskin on the earcups and headband, the cool touch of the aluminum – every detail speaks to premium craftsmanship. Putting them on for the first time is like settling into a comfortable armchair for your ears. They are surprisingly lightweight, and the memory foam earcups mold perfectly, creating a seal that's both comfortable and effective even before the noise cancellation kicks in. I can wear these for hours on a long flight or during a full workday without any discomfort.Then there's the sound. Oh, the sound. The custom-tuned drivers produce audio that is rich, detailed, and beautifully balanced. Bass is present and powerful but never overwhelming, mids are clear and articulate, and highs are crisp without being harsh. Listening to familiar tracks through these headphones reveals nuances I'd never heard before. It's an immersive experience that pulls you into the music.The hybrid active noise cancellation is incredibly effective. It doesn't create an unnatural, pressure-filled silence, but rather a calm, quiet backdrop that allows the audio to shine. The roar of an airplane engine, the chatter of a busy office, the drone of traffic – it all fades away, leaving just you and your music (or podcast, or audiobook). The transparency mode is also well-implemented, allowing you to easily tune back into your surroundings with a tap.The battery life is phenomenal. Getting up to 30 hours with ANC and Bluetooth active means I can go for days of regular use or survive the longest travel days without needing to recharge. The touch controls on the earcups are intuitive and responsive once you get the hang of them.While they are undoubtedly a significant investment, the experience these headphones provide justifies the cost for me. They are a perfect marriage of form and function, delivering exceptional sound quality, unparalleled comfort, and effective noise cancellation in a package that is simply beautiful. They create a personal sanctuary of sound and silence, making every listening session a genuine pleasure.

I purchased these headphones in 2023 and they are still going strong. Great for noise reduction especially on planes. The sound quality is superior and the app helps you customize so much. They hold up against my 3 year old who loves to drop them. I was so happy to choose these headphones over apple. They are also much more comfortable and not so bulky.

Audiophile here - very, very particular audiophile. “Running On Faith” - Clapton, Journeyman - first song. Instant tears. Yes, the design, weight, fit - all the things - beautiful. But we are about sound and noise cancellation, Friends. Correct? The TV is playing Pandora Blues at full volume and I can’t hear a thing but our friend Eric making his particular brand of magic. Buy the headphones. Now. And be prepared to gently tap me on the shoulder if you want my attention and I’m wearing these. xo

The good: They sound great, very crisp sound without too much bass. They're also pretty comfortable, but if you're moving around, say cleaning your house or something, they will fall off your head. Also, great battery life.The bad:1. HORRIBLE Bluetooth handling. Once you pair them to two devices, even if you're nowhere near the second device, upon turning them on, expect a few minutes of glitchy audio getting constantly cut, until it becomes okay. The only remedy to this is to factory reset the headphones and not pair them with more than one device. Again, this happens even nowhere near the second device.2. Iffy touch interface. I still can't reliably skip or pause with the touch interface. Volume is a bit more reliable and has a nice gesture to it.3. Pretty mediocre to sub par NC. Really unimpressive compared to Sony or Bose.In short, I would never buy these knowing what I know now, especially for such a high price.

Recently purchased both the Bang & Olufsen HX headphones and the Bose NC 700 headphones for comparison. My biggest must haves in over the ear headphones are sound quality, call quality and comfort.Call qualityThe B&O HX’s call quality is not up to par with Bose. While on a phone call walking outdoors wearing the B&O HX’s, the person on the other end of the call said the background noise was deafening and they could not hear me over the noise (city traffic and wind). I switched to the Bose while on the same call and it was worlds better, lowered background noise, and they could hear me much clearer. Bose won this test!Sound QualityThe sound quality of the B&O HX’s was good, however the sound quality depreciates when I switch over to noice canceling. Throughout all modes and different genres of music I noticed the bass is lacking and they focus more on the lyrics and spoken words rather than the music and lyrics. The Bose however blew me out of the water with sound quality, excellent bass, great clarity, and better EQ controls to customize to your liking. Bose wins here as well.ComfortThe B&O HX’s are comfortable headphones with amazing build quality. However the earpiece shape is more round than the Bose and did get uncomfortable after about an hour of use. I also found they struggle to stay planted on my head when I’m moving around quickly (not ideal for running or working out). The Bose however have a silicone lining on the upper arm and stay put on my head when running. Bose also won here!Overall the B&O HX’s are good headphones with excellent features and build quality but at $500 and compared to the Bose NC 700 headphones at $300 I could not justify the higher price tag. I need over the ear headphones to be a device I can use at work to take phone calls and video meetings, at the gym, on an outdoor walk, and on a plane. I feel as though the Bose are the better buy but glad I compared both to find the front runner!