Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 (3rd Generation) Review

They do sound good, but it's not all fine.

Wireless headphones that don't sound like a bloated mess are hard to come by. Professional audio brands don't seem interested in this market segment, while consumer products are often tuned so weirdly that it gives me nausea even when I think about it; clarity and definition sit very low in the design goals list.

Admittingly, I avoided some of the more expensive ones. I already have high-end wired headphones, and I couldn't justify spending too much on wireless headphones just for casual use. Besides, budget wired headphones that sound excellent are not scarce, while good sounding, comfortable headphones of the wireless sort seem to be an elusive combination.

However, a couple of months ago, I found a great deal on the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 3rd generation and decided to purchase them.

Bang & Olufsen

Bang & Olufsen is a Danish premium headphone and speaker manufacturer with an almost century-old history. With a pretty much consumer-oriented marketing and a glamorous design aesthetic, it gives the impression of a lifestyle brand rather than a high-end audio manufacturer. Although it is undeniable that part of its success is attributed to the market that lusts for premium, higher-status products, reports about the superior sound quality are always favourable.

First impressions

Unboxing the Beoplay H9 3rd gen. is everything you expect from such a brand. The box has a snug fit and feels much like an Apple product; opening the lid has an ultra-smooth action. The headphones sit comfortably on a soft-feeling moulded cell to keep them safe during transportation. There is also a carrying pouch and a basic assortment of cables. I like the attention to detail, but honestly, I would gladly trade the "high-end" experience for a decent carrying case since the included cloth is a mere dustcover. It is noteworthy that both the anniversary edition H95 and the HX, the succeeder of the H9, come with a hardshell case.

The headphones feel good on the hand and are well made; metal yokes, leather earpads, metal sliders, cushioned fabric headband and quality plastic earcups. A unique feature of the Beoplay is the mechanism that extends the chokes as it moves fluidly instead of having the more usual clicky steps. The action is buttery smooth, and the resistance is ideal as it's not difficult to adjust but holds its place strongly enough.

The pouch is nice, but mainly for the dust or light scratches.

Sound and tweakability

Pairing the H9 3rd gen. with my Google Pixel and MacBook was effortless, and after listening to some classical music, I was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality. The B&O sound is smooth and easy to listen to without sacrificing clarity much. The stock response is a bit recessed on the highs, resulting in a warmer overall presentation, but the drivers are flexible enough, so I could easily fine-tune to my liking with the free Beoplay app.

Low notes are deep and well behaved; they don't overwhelm the overall image. The H9 3rd gen. midrange is pretty competent; well-captured recordings sound fairly realistic. Instruments sound like themselves, with their individual tonal qualities distinguished.

The high-end response matches the overall sound signature of Beoplay. It doesn't demand your attention but is not too restrained either. It supports the natural reproduction of instruments and voices and grants a less analytic and more fun listening experience. The room ambience in solo recordings is more laid-back than on typical studio headphones.

I would not use the H9 3rd gen. for mixing or other critical listening purposes, so they won't replace my Focal Clear MG or even my trusted Beyerdynamic DT880. However, for casual listening and the convenience that the wireless connectivity offers, I am happy finally have a Bluetooth headphone that sounds good enough for the intended uses. With the noise-cancelling turned off, the presentation is more akin to open headphones rather than closed, which is an impressive feat.

Active noise-cancelling

Engaging the active noise-cancelling alters the sound to some extent. There is less depth and meat to the sound, and the highs become somewhat more fake-sounding as if filters are applied on both ends of the spectrum. There is also a noticeable increase in self-noise. So, it's not an option I would leave "on" all the time, but, I accept the lessening of the overall sound quality for the times when outside noise could render listening without noise-cancelling unbearable.

The effect of noise cancelling is quite decent, but compared to other headphones, it is not nearly as powerful.

Transparency mode

The implementation of the transparency mode of the Beoplay doesn't make much sense to me. The responsiveness of the touch interface is pretty sluggish, so if someone talks to me when I'm wearing them, it is way faster to remove the headphones and talk to them than to engage in funny gestures with my fingers on the right earcup until I find the correct spot to get to the transparency mode. Besides, the resulting sound is rather repulsive.

I could see the benefits of the transparency mode if it wouldn't pause whatever you were listening to before or even more so if it could work during a call to hear my voice more naturally. But, that's not how it functions.

Touch me if you can

I like the idea of a futuristic world where everything will be effortless and efficient, but the touch interface on the H9 3rd gen. is neither. Au contraire, there is a throughout unresponsiveness that becomes annoying pretty fast. I prefer the more typical set of buttons for controlling the headphones anytime. Saying that, the circular gesture for controlling the volume is works smoothly.

(Dis)comfort

The sound quality and feel of the H9 3rd gen. could make me overlook these minor complaints, which in the grand scheme might appear superficial. Unfortunately, my biggest gripe is about the second most crucial aspect of any headphone. The Beoplay H9 3rd gen. is one of the most uncomfortable headphones I have ever worn. The earcups are somewhat small for an around-ear headphone and press the ears, but the worst part is the headband. I cannot understand how a manufacturer with such a long history in the industry could not get the headband right. I can only wear the B&O for about 45 minutes before they become unbearable. Regrettably, I didn't do any extended listening sessions during the return period, so I had to keep them.

Wireless range and battery

The range is exceptional. I could move from room to room without any issue. Although the Bluetooth protocol is older, I haven't experienced any drop-offs or other ill effects. Battery life is adequate for normal use.

Getting passive

The B&O H9 3rd generation sports a 3,5 input that bypasses the on-board DAC and offers a passive experience, which was a decisive factor for me when I purchased them as I could still use them when they are out of juice. In addition, this ensures that the headphone won't become an expensive paperweight when, in a few years, the battery will not be able to hold a charge. Unluckily, following the trend of our times, the battery is not user-replaceable.

When the H9 3rd gen. is connected passively to my MacBook the sound is pretty decent. When I plug the B&O into any high-end DAC, like my RME ADI-2 Pro FS, the limitations of the drivers become apparent as a slightly harsher character is being exposed. This perhaps means that part of the balance and elegance of the Beoplay become possible through digital manipulation. This is not a critique but rather just an observation.

Final thoughts

Annual design revisions, upgraded Bluetooth protocol and futuristic touch interfaces are not enough to ignore that the Bang & Olufsen H9 3rd gen. are uncomfortable to wear for a prolonged time. Maybe it's just me, so I could only recommend them if you can find them at a fair price and a vendor with a good return policy. If you don't have any hot spots, the sound is reasonably satisfying for wireless headphones.