I Tried Bang & Olufsen’s $1,500 Headphones. Here’s How They Stack Up.

When a brand tells me it has finally created the “ultimate” product, I am both curious and suspicious. To me, “ultimate” means the best, the be-all and end-all. I, of course, know that not every product can be the best. It’s my job to test these gadgets and come up with comparisons across the board. And when Bang & Olufsen told me the Beoplay H100s were the “ultimate” pair of over-ear headphones, I didn’t believe it—until now.

These Bluetooth headphones are built to last. That much was evident from the first moment I donned my pair of Infinite Black Beoplay H100s—which also come in tan and apricot colorways. Regardless of the color you choose, your Beoplay H100s are accompanied by a gorgeous cowhide-leather carrying case.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100

Cons

• Hard to justify the price, even with all that

Comfort and build quality have always been B&O’s trademark. Both are here in spades, but the H100s step it up and add modularity to that formula. The individual parts of the Beoplay H100 headphones can be replaced. The memory-foam headband and ear cushions are magnetic, completely removable, and replaceable. The battery too is built to be replaced and is covered under the five-year extended warranty. That’s a rarity in a world run by Apple. The promise goes beyond the warranty. B&O has said these headphones are well on their way to receiving “cradle to cradle” certification.

These headphones aren’t just future-proofed; they are futuristic. Housing the twin electro-dynamic titanium drivers are dials on each side. By default, the right dial adjusts volume and the left adjusts noise-cancelling transparency. The latter is a revelation. B&O’s ANC tech is best in class, but the incremental transparency is (and I don’t use this word unless I mean it) mind-blowing. I’ve experienced zero nausea or pressure issues in the months I’ve been testing.

This physicality extends to the touchpad controls on each side. There is distinct, pleasant feedback for each action. A quick tap evokes a different response from a subtle swipe. All of these controls, including the dials, can be customized via the Bang & Olufsen app.

As far as apps go, it’s a pretty good one. The app makes it easy to adjust EQ and switch between audio modes. I will admit to not always opening the app when I put on my H100s. This can cause issues with some of the headphones’ more advanced features, which I haven’t found to be 100 percent reliable.

Namely, I’m referring to the auto-pause feature. Whenever you take off the H100s (or simply lift one ear cup), the sound will pause automatically. When you put them back on, it resumes. You can put them down for minutes and pick back up right where you left off. When this works, it’s game changing—and it works most of the time. I’ve had times when it didn’t and I didn’t get to enjoy the rest of the song I was jamming to. No biggie, but a notable stain.

Needless to say, these headphones sound amazing. I won’t bore you with details about how top-notch the bass can be or reiterate how much I love the noise cancelling. It’s simply the best. Still, I hesitate to give this product my full-throated recommendation.

My time with the Beoplay H100s has been an act of cognitive dissonance. Ultimately, my take is straightforward. These are the absolute best over-ear headphones I’ve ever tried. They are 100 percent not worth the price of entry, however—at least not on a salary under six figures. If your mantra is “You can’t put a price on quality,” then these are the uncompromised headphones for you. Alternatively, if you are rough on your toys, the cradle-to-cradle replacement model may save you money over time. Would I buy them with my own money? Probably not at the moment, but that doesn’t mean they don’t speak to a certain customer.

For anyone on the same budget as mine, there are the Beoplay HXs. B&O’s “comfortable, do-it-all headphones” retailing for $599. And right now you can find a pair of the original black model (the color I have) on Amazon for $360. This range is closer to what other premium headphone brands are charging for their top-of-the-line models. B&O says, “Fuck it” and starts there instead.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX

Over the past couple months, I’ve been trying these out as well. They’re great headphones with excellent noise cancelling, and the audio quality is nearly on par with the H100s’. The HXs are worth what they cost, but they lack the bells and whistles I’ve come to love from the H100s.

The HXs don’t have dials, for example, nor are any of the parts replaceable or modular. They still adjust transparency, but there’s only one setting for it. Adaptive ANC and Windguard are terrific features you’d expect from headphones in this price range, but they pale in comparison to the options the H100s give.

There is something to be said for the promise of the Beoplay H100s. If you take care of them, a pair of HXs will last years, even a decade, but not your whole life. Batteries die and cushions take a beating. That’s life. The modular approach B&O has taken with the H100s is for future-proofing purposes. Spend $1,500 once and it lasts forever, instead of $500 over five years for the next thirty. This is where the value proposition makes the most sense.

And then I remember that thirty years ago we were using the Walkman. More than anything, my time with the Beoplay H100s has me thinking about how these headphones will likely outlive the very tech that’s foundational to their ability to work. It’s not going to be a dead battery or worn-down ear cushion that gets you to stop using them; it will be whatever inevitably makes Bluetooth and apps obsolete.

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I’ve spent more than a month with both pairs of headphones, using each on an almost daily basis. I have listened to all genres of music on these things, watched hours of video, and even put on some podcasts.