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Beoplay H100 Review: Is Bang & Olufsen’s Flagship Worth the Price?

Beoplay H100 Review: Bang & Olufsen’s Luxury Headphones With Spatial Audio and Serious Bass
Beoplay H100 Review: Bang & Olufsen’s Luxury Headphones With Spatial Audio and Serious Bass
9.5

Bang & Olufsen doesn’t launch new flagships very often. So when it does, you know something serious is happening. Enter the Beoplay H100: the brand’s first headphones with Spatial Audio, a completely new titanium driver, and – perhaps most surprisingly – a design philosophy built around repairability and long-term ownership.

Yes, you read that right. These €1,500+ headphones are actually designed to last. Replaceable ear pads. A removable headband. Even the battery can be swapped at a service center years down the line. In a world obsessed with disposable tech, this feels almost rebellious.

Let’s dig in.

Unboxing

The H100 arrives in a matte black box that whispers luxury rather than shouting it. No flashy graphics, no marketing overload – just logos, texture, and confidence.

The headphones come in a rectangular box made of sturdy black cardboard with a textured finish.
The headphones come in a rectangular box made of sturdy black cardboard with a textured finish.

Inside, everything is layered with purpose:

  • Fabric-braided cables for charging and wired listening

  • A classy welcome card

  • Documentation tucked neatly into an envelope

  • And finally… a black leather carrying bag, wrapped like a precious object

Inside the bag? The headphones themselves. Calm. Confident. Expensive.

The bag that comes with the headphones is of high quality. It has smooth seams and pleasant-to-the-touch materials, which gives the impression that this accessory could be sold separately.
The bag that comes with the headphones is of high quality. It has smooth seams and pleasant-to-the-touch materials, which gives the impression that this accessory could be sold separately.

Included in the box:

  • Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 headphones

  • USB-C → 3.5 mm cable (1.25 m, active wired listening up to 96 kHz)

  • USB-C → USB-C charging cable

  • Premium leather carrying bag

  • Welcome card

  • User guide & warranty info

Everything here feels intentional – no clutter, no compromises.

Overall, the kit contains quality components and has all the necessary minimum. The ear pads and headband, after obvious signs of wear appear, can be purchased and quickly replaced independently.
Overall, the kit contains quality components and has all the necessary minimum. The ear pads and headband, after obvious signs of wear appear, can be purchased and quickly replaced independently.

Built like a luxury watch… or a tank

The first thing you notice when you pick up the Beoplay H100 is the weight and solidity. Not heavy in a bad way – more like holding a precision-made mechanical object. The comparison that comes to mind? A high-end watch… or a Kalashnikov: solid metal, perfect tolerances, zero nonsense.

In general, the fit is quite unusual, but comfortable. Despite the above-average compression force, you quickly get used to it. The ears fit completely into the ear cups, which provides good passive noise isolation.
In general, the fit is quite unusual, but comfortable. Despite the above-average compression force, you quickly get used to it. The ears fit completely into the ear cups, which provides good passive noise isolation.

Materials are exactly what you’d expect at this level:

  • Aluminum for the cups, arms, and rotating bezels

  • Titanium 40 mm drivers

  • Cowhide and lambskin leather across pads, headband, and cups

  • Frosted tempered glass faceplates with integrated touch sensors

The rotating bezels feel especially brilliant – tactile, precise, and incredibly satisfying to use.

Available colors:

  • Sunset Apricot

  • Hourglass Sand

  • Infinite Black (the stealth-luxury classic)

Everything fits together with surgical precision. No creaks. No flex. Just confidence.

Comfort & fit

At 375 grams, the H100 isn’t lightweight – but thanks to excellent weight distribution, it never feels tiring. Clamp force is slightly above average, but in a good way: secure, stable, and reassuring. After 20 minutes, you forget about it.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 make a very pleasant impression.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 make a very pleasant impression.

They sit somewhere between compact full-size and over-ear, making them ideal for city use. They look expensive on your head without screaming “LOOK AT ME.”

  • Ear pads: medium-soft, magnetically attached, replaceable in seconds

  • Headband: fabric-covered, magnet-mounted, fully replaceable

  • Passive isolation: excellent, even before ANC kicks in

Rain? Not recommended. These are luxury headphones, not gym gear.

Controls

Bang & Olufsen nailed the interaction design here.

Both Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 cups have identical controls that perform the same functions. However, the right cup also has a USB Type-C interface for wired connection in digital mode, as well as for charging the headphones.
Both Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 cups have identical controls that perform the same functions. However, the right cup also has a USB Type-C interface for wired connection in digital mode, as well as for charging the headphones.

Each cup features:

  • Touch panels for playback, calls, and gestures

  • Rotating bezels (left: noise control, right: volume)

  • Physical buttons for power, modes, and voice assistants

Highlights:

  • Cover a cup with your hand → music pauses, transparency activates

  • Rotating the bezel feels like adjusting a luxury watch

  • Auto on/off that actually works (and feels magical)

Once you learn the controls, muscle memory takes over. You stop thinking – and that’s the highest compliment.

Noise cancellation & transparency

Let’s talk ANC.

Noise cancellation on the H100 is seriously impressive. Combined with strong passive isolation, external sounds almost disappear. It’s easily in flagship territory and feels competitive with the very best from Sony and Bose.

Transparency mode is clean and natural, though slightly conservative in bass and volume. It works well – but ANC is clearly the star of the show.

Microphone quality? Solid, clear, slightly processed. Not studio-level, but more than good enough for calls and meetings.

The Bang & Olufsen app

The companion app gives you full control without overwhelming you:

  • Precise battery percentage

  • Visual ANC ↔ transparency slider

  • Circular EQ (surprisingly intuitive)

  • Dolby Atmos & Spatial Audio modes

  • Head tracking

  • Auto on/off and auto-play settings

 

To connect to the application, you need to activate geolocation on your smartphone and find the headphones in the list. The application gives you extended access to the settings: you can adjust the sound; use the cool surround sound technology “Dolby Atmos”; change the control to suit yourself and a few more pleasant moments.
To connect to the application, you need to activate geolocation on your smartphone and find the headphones in the list. The application gives you extended access to the settings: you can adjust the sound; use the cool surround sound technology “Dolby Atmos”; change the control to suit yourself and a few more pleasant moments.

Spatial Audio with head tracking deserves special praise. This isn’t a gimmick. It’s immersive, fun, and genuinely adds depth – especially with live recordings and cinematic tracks.

Try it once, and you’ll keep coming back.

Battery life & charging

Battery life is respectable:

  • Up to 32 hours with ANC

  • Around 30 hours with Spatial Audio

  • Standby time measured in months

But the real trick? Fast charging:

  • Full charge in about 1 hour

  • 5 minutes = 5 hours of playback

That’s a lifesaver.

Sound

Now the important part.

The Beoplay H100 sounds bold, emotional, and engaging. This is not a flat studio monitor. This is music with soul.

Bass
Deep, elastic, controlled, and incredibly satisfying. It hits hard without ever losing composure.

Midrange
Intimate and cozy. Vocals feel close, personal, almost conversational. Not the widest stage, but deeply involving.

Treble
Bright, airy, and atmospheric. Clearly separated, adding sparkle and space without becoming harsh (unless you’re very treble-sensitive).

Genre-wise, these headphones are versatile – but they absolutely shine with:

  • Jazz

  • Blues

  • Rock (classic & modern)

  • Acoustic and live recordings

Electronic and pop also benefit from the punchy, energetic low end.

Wired listening (Hi-Res 96 kHz) noticeably improves clarity and separation, hinting at how good these will sound once LDAC arrives via firmware update.

Genre-wise, the headphones turned out to be quite versatile, which, in general, is not surprising, given the brand's philosophy.
Genre-wise, the headphones turned out to be quite versatile, which, in general, is not surprising, given the brand’s philosophy.

Conclusion

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 isn’t just another expensive pair of headphones. It’s a statement.

You get:

  • Stunning design and materials

  • Top-tier noise cancellation

  • Emotional, powerful sound

  • Smart, intuitive controls

  • Spatial Audio that actually matters

  • And a rare focus on longevity and repairability

Yes, the price is high.
Yes, LDAC should already be here.

But what you’re buying isn’t just sound – it’s experience, craftsmanship, and future-proof thinking.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 is undoubtedly a flagship product that will continue to improve over the years.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 is undoubtedly a flagship product that will continue to improve over the years.

Pros

  • Gorgeous, premium design

  • Exceptional build quality

  • Replaceable ear pads, headband, and serviceable battery

  • Powerful ANC

  • Rich, emotional sound signature

  • Excellent wired sound quality

  • Magical, intuitive user experience

Cons

  • No LDAC or aptX (yet)

  • Transparency mode could be stronger

  • Microphones are good, not great

  • Very expensive

If you want headphones that feel as good as they sound – and you plan to keep them for years – the Beoplay H100 is one of the most compelling luxury audio statements money can buy.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100
Luxury Headphones With Spatial Audio & Stunning Sound
9.5
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