Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95

Introduction

Imagine slipping on a pair of headphones that don’t just deliver great sound – they transport you into another world. This is the promise of the Beoplay H95, a product that’s as much about the experience as it is about the music. At $899 / £779 / AU$1,490, these are not your average headphones. They’re the luxury car of audio gear, promising a premium listening experience like no other.

But with so many great wireless ANC headphones out there – from Sony’s WH-1000XM5 to Bose’s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 – the Beoplay H95 has some serious competition. So, what’s so intriguing about Bang & Olufsen’s offering? Why would anyone fork out this kind of money when there are excellent alternatives available for a fraction of the price?

The Beoplay H95 occupies a unique space in the market: it’s for those who view headphones as a status symbol as much as a piece of audio equipment. It’s for audiophiles who demand top-tier sound, but also for those who appreciate luxury, design, and craftsmanship. It’s not just about performance; it’s about how the headphones make you feel when you put them on. The H95 is more than just an accessory – it’s an investment in audio quality and personal style.

But with such a steep price tag, the question remains: is there really a place for $900 headphones outside of the studio? Who are they for, and do they justify the cost? In this review, we’ll dive into the technical features, the real-world experience, and whether the Beoplay H95 truly lives up to the luxury label – and whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash.

Technical: A Look Under the Hood

Design and Build Quality

The Beoplay H95 headphones are nothing short of a masterpiece when it comes to design. Bang & Olufsen has spared no expense in creating a product that feels as luxurious as it looks. From the soft lambskin leather encasing the ear cups to the brushed aluminium finish of the frame, the build quality is top-notch. Each of the six colour options – including Black, Chestnut, Navy, and Nordic Ice – exudes sophistication and elegance.

Weighing in at 323g and measuring 185 x 165 x 80mm, these headphones have a substantial presence. The earcups fully envelop your ears, providing passive noise isolation even before you turn on the ANC. The lambskin leather ensures a soft, cushioned fit, while the headband, crafted from durable cowhide, adds to the luxurious feel. However, while the headphones look amazing, the large size and relatively bulky hard case mean these headphones aren’t the most portable. The case, though premium, isn’t something you’ll casually throw into your bag every day.

Controls and Connectivity

The Beoplay H95 integrates both tactile and touch-sensitive controls for a seamless user experience. The dials on each earcup allow for precise adjustments of both volume and noise cancellation levels. The volume dial, located around the right earcup, provides an intuitive and efficient way to increase or decrease sound levels. It’s probably the best dial we’ve encountered for volume adjustment.

The left earcup features a second dial for adjusting the active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency. This dial lets you fine-tune the ANC to your preference, which is a nice touch compared to the standard on/off ANC buttons found on many other headphones.

For music control, the H95 uses a touch-sensitive panel on the right earcup. With a simple tap to play/pause and swipe gestures for skipping or rewinding tracks, these headphones make it easy to navigate your playlist without fumbling for your device.

In terms of connectivity, the Beoplay H95 uses Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring a solid and reliable wireless connection. The headphones also support both AAC and aptX Adaptive codecs, meaning you can enjoy high-resolution audio streaming with compatible devices. If you run out of battery, the included 3.5mm audio cable allows for continued listening while charging.

Audio Performance

The standout feature of the Beoplay H95 is undoubtedly its audio performance. Equipped with 40mm titanium drivers and neodymium magnets, these headphones deliver an expansive, detailed, and immersive listening experience. Whether you’re listening to the crystal-clear vocals of Bonnie Raitt or the complex rhythms of BADBADNOTGOOD, the H95 offers an impressive soundstage that ensures each instrument is rendered with precision and clarity.

These headphones excel in the mid-range, providing superb vocal clarity and separation. The highs are crisp and airy, while the bass is deep and controlled, without ever becoming muddy or overwhelming. However, for those who enjoy extra bass punch in genres like EDM or hip-hop, the H95 may initially feel a bit subdued. Fortunately, the included manual equalizer in the app allows you to adjust the frequency response to suit your taste, including increasing the bass.

Battery Life

The Beoplay H95 is equipped with a formidable battery life, offering 38 hours of playback with ANC turned on. This is impressive compared to most competitors in the premium noise-cancelling headphone market. When ANC is turned off, you can enjoy up to 50 hours of uninterrupted music. In a week’s worth of use, it’s likely you’ll only need to charge the H95 once.

Charging time is a bit on the longer side, taking around 3 hours to reach full capacity, but the headphones are equipped with a quick-charge feature that provides up to 6 hours of use in just 15 minutes of charging. If you find yourself in a pinch, the wired 3.5mm connection allows you to continue listening even when the battery runs out.

Experience

When the Beoplay H95 arrived, it felt like opening a box containing something truly special – a pair of headphones that cost the same as a MacBook is a rare thing. The first impression was instant: the sleek, matte-black box, its weight, and the elegance of the packaging all hinted at what was to come. As I lifted the lid, the headphones themselves were nestled in a luxurious, custom-moulded hard case that looked almost too good to touch.

Inside the case, I found all the essentials neatly organised: a USB-C charging cable, a microfiber cloth to keep the leather pristine, a 3.5mm audio cable, and a flight adaptor. It felt like Bang & Olufsen had thought of everything, down to the small pouch in the case for the accessories. It was clear from the start that this was a brand that cared about both aesthetics and practicality.

The headphones themselves? Well, they looked and felt just as luxurious as I had imagined. The lambskin leather cushions were incredibly soft against my ears, and the aluminium headband, with its minimalistic design, felt solid but light. They sat comfortably on my head, the ear cups sealing around my ears in a way that felt more like a gentle embrace than a heavy clamping force. I was ready to start listening, so I reached for my phone and began to pair them via Bluetooth, which was a seamless process.

I decided to dive right into a track that demands both clarity and depth – Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. The first thing that hit me was the level of detail. The bass, while not as punchy as some other headphones I’ve tried, was precise, and the mids and highs were beautifully crisp. The H95s excel at pulling apart complex arrangements; you could hear every element in the mix without feeling overwhelmed. The layering of the drums, Jackson’s iconic vocals, and the subtle synths in the background felt rich and immersive. These headphones don’t just play music – they reveal it.

Then, I switched things up and moved to a completely different genre, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, performed by the Berlin Philharmonic. Here, the Beoplay H95 really shone. The expansive soundstage these headphones offer created an almost surround-sound experience. Each instrument had its place – from the thunderous brass section to the soft strings, everything was precise. It was a perfect demonstration of how versatile the H95 is. Whether you’re into classical, rock, or electronic, these headphones deliver clear, balanced sound that doesn’t favour one frequency range over another.

But how do they handle spoken word content? I turned to a few podcasts. I started with The Daily by The New York Times. The vocal clarity was outstanding. I could hear every word, every inflection, without straining to understand what was being said. This is one of the Beoplay H95’s strongest suits: the ability to make spoken word sound incredibly natural. Even the softest whispers from a podcast host or the detailed analysis of a news anchor came through with amazing clarity.

As I wore them on my commute, I quickly discovered that the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) wasn’t just a nice-to-have; it was a game changer. The H95s managed to block out the constant hum of the train and the chatter of commuters with ease. I was lost in my music, almost as if the outside world didn’t exist. This was exactly what I wanted in a pair of ANC headphones. Even on a busy morning rush, the noise-cancelling technology worked brilliantly, letting me enjoy a peaceful ride while still being able to hear the occasional announcement or a fellow commuter’s voice if needed.

When it comes to portability, I’ll admit that these headphones aren’t the most travel-friendly if you’re looking for something compact. Their bulky design means they don’t exactly fit into the back pocket of your jeans or a small bag. But, the accompanying hard case does an excellent job of protecting them from the rough and tumble of travel, even if it does take up a decent chunk of space in your luggage. For day-to-day commuting or long trips, they’re fine – they’ll easily fit in a backpack or a spacious handbag, but if you’re looking for something ultra-portable, you may want to consider other options.

The comfort level of the Beoplay H95 during long listening sessions was a pleasant surprise. Despite their size, they never felt heavy or uncomfortable on my head. I spent a good few hours listening to a variety of music, and not once did I feel the need to take them off for a break. The lambskin leather ear cups were soft, and the headband was easily adjustable, ensuring a snug yet comfortable fit.

In terms of controls, I loved the tactile dials on the ear cups. The right side dial, which adjusts the volume, was intuitive and a huge win for me. No more fumbling around with tiny buttons or swipe-sensitive pads – it’s a simple turn to get the perfect level. The left ear cup dial controls the ANC settings, which allowed me to precisely dial in how much noise cancellation I wanted. In busy environments like a noisy café or crowded train station, this level of control really paid off, as I could increase the ANC to block out the background hum and focus on my content.

One minor drawback was that, while the noise-cancelling was superb, it did tend to struggle a little with very low-frequency sounds, like engine rumble on a plane or the deep vibrations of a subway train. However, this is a minor issue, and the overall effectiveness of the ANC far outweighed it.

The battery life of the Beoplay H95 was another major highlight. I didn’t need to worry about charging every day – even with the ANC on, I was getting a solid 38 hours of listening time, and with ANC off, that bumped up to an impressive 50 hours. I found myself only charging them once a week, which was incredibly convenient, especially since charging takes about 3 hours. Plus, in a pinch, you can always use the 3.5mm cable to continue listening when the battery runs low.

To sum it up, my experience with the Beoplay H95 has been nothing short of stellar. From the luxurious unboxing to the rich, immersive sound and impressive noise cancellation, these headphones excel in virtually every area. They’re ideal for commuters, travellers, audiophiles, and anyone who appreciates high-end audio equipment. Sure, they’re not the most portable or affordable option, but if you’re looking for a truly premium listening experience and are willing to invest in top-tier sound, the Beoplay H95 is more than worth it.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Investment?

The Beoplay H95 is undeniably a luxurious offering in the realm of noise-cancelling headphones. From its stunning design to its unparalleled audio performance, it’s clear that Bang & Olufsen has crafted a product that lives up to its premium price tag. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or simply someone who appreciates high-quality craftsmanship, the H95 delivers on all fronts – sound, comfort, design, and functionality.

If you’re willing to invest in a truly premium product, the Beoplay H95 will not disappoint. With impressive ANC, a long-lasting battery, and customizable sound options, these headphones provide an unmatched listening experience that’s hard to rival. For those who seek perfection in every detail and want the ultimate luxury in a pair of headphones, the Beoplay H95 is a solid choice.