B&O Beoplay HX evaluate: Prestigious but dear

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(Pocket-lint) – In the event you’re seeking to drop a number of hundred smackeroonies on a pair of over-ear headphones you then’d rightly count on one thing fairly particular. Happily Bang & Olufsen, the status Danish audio model, has lengthy been delivering merchandise at such ranges.The Beoplay HX is B&O’s 2021 top-tier over-ear headphones, successfully succeeding the H9 of earlier years, delivering acquainted design language with premium supplies and – for those who tinker with settings inside the app anyway – a powerful soundstage besides.However will the Beoplay HX go well with everybody? The numerous price ticket, an inventory of opponents so long as your arm, plus some limitations to its lively noise-cancelling (ANC) system, are all lingering contemplations in in any other case supremely good headphones.Design & FeaturesAluminium construction, leather-based cushions, material headband, polymer earcupsHeadphones dimensions: 195 x 200 x 52mm / Weight: 285gCase dimensions: 200 x 180 x 63mm / Weight: 360gBang & Olufsen appThe factor that actually shouts Bang & Olufsen about these over-ears is the usage of supplies. The body is aluminium and appears mighty high quality – there is no clicks or clangs while you easily slide the scarf to accommodate your head dimension. The earcups are polymer, however the cushions that shroud the 40mm drivers are leather-based coated and plush in opposition to the ears.Pocket-lintThe colourways are distinctive as ever too: if something the HX’s near-orange hues are extra unusually standout than their predecessors’ softer selection of creme tones. However they sit properly in opposition to that gray/silver body and the look is not solely visually interesting, we predict it smells fairly good too – effectively, for those who like leather-based anyway.Carrying the HX for hours on finish is not any drama, as these over-ears are mighty comfy for prolonged listening classes. Indoors is best than outside, nevertheless, given the wind tear which you could expertise from the exterior microphones. And we would not go operating whereas carrying headphones similar to these, the material headband and leather-based materials selections are a fairly large clue that is not what they’re designed for.Pocket-lintIn addition to the headphones, there is a material carry case that comes within the field, full with an inside flap to cover away the three.5mm cable and USB charger – a useful place to maintain such extras once they’re not in use.Sound High quality & ANC40mm electro-dynamic driver with Neodymium magnetsFrequency response: 20Hz – 22kHz1200mAh battery capacityBluetooth 5.1 wirelessActive Noise Cancelling (ANC)3.5mm wired portThe actual purpose to purchase any headphones is, after all, the sound high quality. That is all the time going to be subjective, however we’ll say this up entrance: the Beoplay HX aren’t almost as bass ahead as many headphones available on the market, which can lead some to be dissatisfied upon first pay attention.Pocket-lintHowever, the Bang & Olufsen app connects to the headphones and offers you numerous management to regulate this to your preferences. There’s the Beosonic equaliser inside this, which lets you drag a circle between 4 pillars – shiny, energetic, relaxed, heat – with a purpose to improve or decrease the bass or treble with precision. With the bass boosted to our liking, the sound profile is actually tremendous.By default the HX is ready to ‘Optimum’, which actually initiatives vocals ahead, plus there’s numerous treble for an energised – virtually a ‘sparkly’ – listening profile. It is a vibrant sound that can go well with numerous music.Connectivity through Bluetooth 5.1 is robust, with assist for numerous codecs, together with aptX Adaptive to cater for top bit-rate music if in case you have entry to such sources.Pocket-lintOne space of competition with the Beoplay HX is the lively noise-cancellation’s effectiveness. These headphones deal with ANC with a light-weight contact, that is for certain, serving to to delicately muffle some exterior frequencies – however delicate is the operative phrase. Many comprtitors, such because the Bose QC45, have rather more highly effective ANC to extra considerably mute exterior sounds.Moreover, the Beoplay HX has a transparency mode to assist with listening to some exterior sounds extra clearly, however with this activated it is too resonant – virtually like a mid-pass filter has been activated, which condenses no matter you are listening to in a really enveloped method that is by no means fulfilling. ANC outside has some points with wind tear greater than many opponents, too, as wind hitting the microphones may cause distortion – and B&O hasn’t modified the design of those headphones for a very long time, which means the mics stay too uncovered.

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Verdict

What you are actually paying for within the Beoplay HX – along with Bang & Olufsen’s model title – is the standard of supplies and end. These are plush over-ear headphones, no doubting that, however they do additionally price a small fortune.Initially you would possibly discover the sound profile to be slightly restricted, too, however the well-appointed Bang & Olufsen app is fairly magic in the case of customised EQ adjustment, so you’ll get an concept sound to your exacting desire. Slightly tinkering and these over-ears do not solely look good, they sound nice too.All that mentioned, nevertheless, the lively noise-cancelling (ANC) right here could be very refined, so in order for you a stronger and extra versatile function set on this regard then there’s loads of competitors on the market. Competitors that, very often, prices a lot much less with out you needing to compromise in any respect – which is the Beoplay HX’s best enemy of all.

Additionally considerPocket-lintBose NC Headphones 700Much higher lively noise-cancelling, a smaller price ticket, and a preferable total design for us too. Bose is difficult to beat.squirrel_widget_158195Pocket-lintPhilips Fidelio L3Of all of the over-ear headphones to reach in 2021 – and there have not been that many, actually – Philips’ return to the market with the staggeringly good L3 is a really savvy different selection. The sound profile is extra pleasing from the off, whereas the asking worth is not a wealthy as B&O’s by fairly a margin both. squirrel_widget_5801988

Writing by Mike Lowe. Initially revealed on 23 October 2021.

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