Beoplay H95

I’ve been very impressed with my Beoplay H95 headphones, which I have been using for about 2 weeks. For context, I am a classical musician and record my own music. When researching BT ANC headphones, I sought out experiences by classical musicians, or people who listen to classical music, as the needs are different compared to other musical genres. Despite an extensive search I did not find much in this area so I am posting some of my experiences as they might be of interest to others. I use several different pairs of headphones, some for monitoring use in recording and editing, and others for sound checks and pleasure listening. It is unusual for any one headphone to serve all purposes! During recording, I generally use the tried and true and surprisingly inexpensive ubiquitous Sony MDR-7506 headphones for monitoring. Most agree that these are very detailed and help reveal all the “warts” during the recording process, which is essential. However, I feel their sound signature is very bright and frankly unpleasantly harsh so they are not ideal for pleasure listening. I also use some excellent higher end headphones including the Sennheiser 800s, along with the companion Sennheiser headphone amp HDV 820, for critical and pleasure listening, as well as the Audeze LCD-X headphones which I use as a reality check during the recording process as well as for pleasure listening. With that context, enter the Beoplay H95. I purchased these for pleasure and convenience listening – as opposed to critical listening or recording - in a sometimes noisy home environment (lots of nearby heavy construction noise and leaf blowers nearly every day). I was seeking a pair of Bluetooth headphones with ANC that approached the higher fidelity of my other cans. After extensive reading of reviews of popular Bluetooth ANC headphones, for example Sony WH-1000XM4, Bose 700 and Apple Air Pods Max I decided to trial the Beoplay H95. Note that I did not audition these other lower cost headphones so I can’t realistically compare them to the Beoplay H95. However, I can compare the H95 to my higher end headphones and this may be of interest to some. Now, for additional important background, my use case is probably different than that of other headphone users. I don’t intend to use full size headphones walking about outdoors – I use Apple Airpod Pros for this. I also don’t intend to use full size headphones with ANC on commutes or on planes. Again, I would use the Airpod Pros or an older pair of Bose wired QC20 earbuds for this. So – my use case for a full size Bluetooth ANC headphone is for use indoors, freeing me from the cable tethering me to my good rig, listening for pleasure in a sometimes noisy environment. Other than ANC, sound quality is of paramount importance to me. Other features such as phone calls, apps, control gestures, voice control, are of secondary importance to me. I’ve found the Beoplay H95 sound signature to be very neutral and transparent. While clearly not as fine as higher end - and more expensive - cabled headphones, the sound quality that the H95 offers is quite respectable. The soundstage is fairly expansive, and while it may not be as wide or deep as the Sennheiser 800s (which is unusually vast) – the H95 soundstage is quite generous. This makes spatial location of different instruments, for example in an orchestra, better than in lesser headphones. The mid-upper frequencies are transparent and airy, and vocals, such as in classical art songs (e.g. lieder) sound very true and engaging. Instrumentals (piano, strings, orchestra) seem pretty accurate as well. Bass is tight and certainly present in sufficient quantity for classical music. It is not boosted or exaggerated as some might prefer for other genres of music. Recordings I’ve made of myself (i.e. me as performer) also seem pretty accurate. Of course, when I compare the H95 sound to my good rig, the difference is readily apparent – for example the Sennheiser 800s has a great deal more body, heft, clarity, liquidity, dynamic range and nuance where the H95 is a bit lighter weight, somewhat veiled, slightly grainy and compressed by comparison - but I feel overall the H95 does quite a very respectable job representing reality for a BT headphone. Again, it is unreasonable to expect a BT ANC device to perform at the same level as much more expensive corded audiophile equipment. The H95 does come surprisingly close however! I have noticed what some others have called out, that to achieve decent listening volume, I need to dial the H95 up to >70% volume, which I feel is less than ideal and shouldn’t be necessary. For some softer classical tracks I need to dial it up to 90-100%. This suggests to me that there isn’t adequate headroom in the amplifier. The supplied USB-C to USB-A cable, intended for recharging the H95 battery, can also be used as a wired connection to a computer. In this case, the achievable volume is much improved compared to BT. I estimate that at 50% volume level in this wired setup is similar to 70-80% level in the BT configuration. A similar “boost” in volume occurs when using the supplied 3.5mm cable to the source, be it my iPhone 11 (with a lighting to USB cameras adapter), or PC. I believe the sound quality is also improved using the USB-A to USB-C cable, perhaps because the digital signal from the PC is bypassing the DA conversion in the H95. Another factor in the low volume output of the H95 via Bluetooth from my iPhone is EQ. Usually I have this set on “Classical” as that is the majority of my listening. However, I found that the EQ setting “None” (or “Flat” which seems equivalent) is still excellent sonically for my needs, and the volume is noticeably louder. I did have occasion to use the H95 in a phone call, and the sound was quite good at my end. At the other end, the sound quality was good enough for a hard of hearing elderly person to carry on a conversation better than when we use my land line. Regarding ANC – I agree with some other reviewers that while the dial on the left earpiece is handy for immediate control of ANC vs transparency, it would be nice to have a physical “stop” where it is obvious where the dial is minimized and where it is maximized. The dial spins freely so you have to judge based on your hearing to detect and set the desired amount of ANC. To be fair, they do offer audible tones instead of a physical stop, but you need to learn to “decode” the different tones. I found the ANC effective enough to minimize noise from construction next door through open windows, nearby washer/dryer noises, and even our land line ringing 3 feet away from where I’m seated was barely audible. Standing outside in my yard, a wood chipper being used 2 doors down was fairly noisy as one would expect. With the H95 on full ANC but without music playing, the wood chipper was about 80+% dampened, still somewhat audible. With music at low-moderate volume (~40-50%), the wood chipper was not apparent. Other Notes: - The dial on the right earpiece for volume is a brilliant feature in my opinion. Might be easier than APM's small knob. Incidentally, the small knob on the Apple Watch does control H95 volume when listening to Apple Music in an iPhone. - H95 has physical shut off switch, unlike APM, although the H95 has an ultra long battery life (38 hrs with ANC on and 50 hrs without ANC) making this less critical. - H95 has multipoint connection, allowing maintain connections to two Bluetooth sources, which means for example you can listen on one and make calls on the other - H95 has two corded options, both provided in the box: 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable (analog), and USB-C to USB-A (digital). - H95 has a real case, unlike APM. However, I feel it is useful mainly as a protective case at home, not practical for travel. - The Bang & Olufsen app is nice but not essential. I did not find the EQ options to be as useful as expected. I’ve settled on “Optimal” and have not found a need to change it. The variable option didn’t seem helpful or practical. The battery level indicator is useful to a degree, but due to the very long battery life, it doesn’t come into play much. On my PC Bluetooth section, the battery level is also indicated. The volume level can be adjusted on the H95 with the dial on the right earcup so the app is not needed for this. The app is a little glitchy on the iPhone – more than once even though it was paired (appears in Settings>Bluetooth and music plays through) the app sometimes paradoxically cannot detect the H95. I had to delete and reinstall the app more than once. There is no app for computers (just mobile devices) but sometimes the Bluetooth connection on my PC is glitchy with drop outs. Summary While it is not fair to expect that Beoplay H95 would perform at the same level as corded audiophile headphones costing much more, I believe that B&O did right by most things that count to optimize fine sound quality. The only significant downside for me is the relatively lower volume level, requiring cranking up the volume >70%. Whatever this suggests about the amplifier design and relative lack of headroom, it is not a deal breaker in my mind. And even though the H95 is much more expensive than every other BT ANC headphone currently available, for me attaining this high level of sound quality was worthwhile. Of course, each person must make his/her own assessment and decision based on their sound goals and personal financial situation.

If you’re considering a pair of Bang & Olufsen cans, then you’re already aware of how the law of diminishing returns pertains to them. The difference in sound between a pair of $100 and $450 headphones is far greater than the difference between a pair of $450 and $1250 headphones—that’s just a fact. But if you’re considering B&O, then you’re likely reaching for that pinnacle of sound. Well, stay here; you’re getting close. It’s difficult to not be impressed while unboxing them. The fit and finish of everything from the box to the aluminum case to the headphones exclaim quality. They sound great right out of the box. They are so neutral they would make the Swiss look antagonistic. Bright, crisp highs with the very occasional hint of sibilance. Present mids. Tight, clean bass. They will thump when required without complaining. I don’t think you’ll find a more-expansive soundstage on a pair of closed back headphones. Prior to purchasing my H95s, my favorite headphones were the Bowers & Wilkins Px8s. The H95s certainly sound more refined and I’m able to discern more detail. The Px8s required an extensive break in period, and still sound warm and require equalization for optimum sound, while the H95s sound great with a flat signal, which is a good thing because I don’t care for the “Beosonic” approach to an equalizer, which amounts to plotting dot within a circle that is marked bright, relaxed, energetic and warm. Here, B&O clearly tried to reinvent the “wheel” and failed. Note to B&O: bands work, use them. The good news is you likely won’t find the need to adjust the sound. The app, by the way, offers minimal customization. I have one complaint about the sound: these headphones often lack volume. For most songs it’s not an issue, but when it is you feel like Clark Griswold at the closed gates of that amusement park (interesting side note: when I used the name of the amusement park in the movie, Amazon’s AI thought I was talking about their largest retail competitor and wouldn’t publish this review).. Speaking of volume, the volume dial is a brilliant touch. Spinning that wheel to adjust the volume has a very satisfying feel, however I find the dial on the left ear cup for ANC adjustment annoying. A button would accomplish the same with less effort, but I’m quibbling. In the final analysis, you’ll definitely discern greater detail and enjoy a more expansive soundstage with your H95s than with the less-expensive Px8s or say, the Sony WH-1000XM6s or Bose QC Ultras (I own those as well). Indeed, the H95s just sound better, but not by a staggering amount. Comfort. The lamb skin ear pads conform nicely to the ear and create a proper seal. The H95 are quite comfortable. I find the Bowers and Wilkins Px8s to be the most-comfortable cans I’ve ever worn. If the Px8s are a 10/10, then the H95s are a 8/10. I can wear them for hours without feeling warm or fatigued, but I’m definitely aware I’m wearing headphones, whereas with the Px8s I’ve forgotten I’m wearing them. Perhaps a larger ear cup would kelp the H95s. Battery: The battery is supposed to give you thirty hours with ANC. I’ve found thirty hours to be on the generous side, by maybe as much as twenty percent. ANC: I’m guessing that, if you’re considering these headphones, then you’re chasing perfect sound, thus ANC isn’t your top priority. That’s good. The ANC is adequate, not special. If you’re looking for cutting edge ANC, then grab the latest pair of plastic Bose or Sony headphones. In the meantime, I’m going to get back to my music and continue trying to think of a way to talk my wife into believing I need a pair of H100s Happy listening! UPDATE: I’m testing the beta version of an app upgrade, and there are a couple of important updates. Now, the ANC has ten separate settings, so a dial to control them is more appropriate and efficient. Additionally, the ANC has greatly improved with the new update. I’m not sure when it will be available to the general public, but it’s coming. UPDATE 08/21/25: I have had my headphones for exactly two months and the leather color is fading terribly on the ear pads. I own about a dozen pair of headphones, and I rotate their use, so it’s not like I’ve been using my H95s exclusively for two months. I would say they’ve probably been worn for 40-50 hours and they’re already starting to wear. I’ve reached out to Bang & Olufsen and will report what (if anything) I hear from them. UPDATE: 09/10/25: To this date I’ve not received a response from B&O. Very disappointed.

Bought these after trying the Bowers & Wilkins PX8-S2’s which are also nice performers with a more reasonable price tag and some well thought out controls. That said, the H95’s are a step above the B&W’s and thus more $ and worth it in my opinion. Now if you are really looking for wireless headset sound perfection and can justify the splurge, the H100’s are the way to go, but it will cost you an extra grand for some truly impressive sound immersion. Bang & Olufsen products are the way to go in my opinion. Well engineered and perform better than expected, but these qualities come with a cost depending on your budget.

Dobra jakość dźwięku, około 30% lepsza niż w BOSE quietcomfort 35. Natomiast są bardzo ciężkie i niewygodne. Po godzinie słuchania boli głowa w miejscu pałąka niezależnie od ustawienia rozmiaru. Jest to totalnie nieakceptowalne za tą cenę.

They look great, color navy blue is beautiful! The ANC is excellent and the features are very convenient. However they are too tight, not loud enough, and dont fit well on medium sized ears. Comfort is key and these are not too comfortable specially for their price.

Muy bien sonido... Depende de cada oído y sensibilidad... Pero a mí no se me hicieron sorprendentes en relación a otros que tengo B&W, Sennheiser momentum, Sony wh4, focal bathys..... El sonido es bueno y diferente... Pero retomo: nada sorprendente, los conservador conservaré solo porque los compré a buen precio, pero no pagaría un precio regular definitivamente por ellos. El arco no es muy cómodo y es un poco incómodo al usarlos por más tiempo en el borde de la cabeza. Conclusión: Buenos pero dentro de su categoría..... Nada espectacular

Excellent produit :) Finition impeccable

These headphones deliver excellent sound quality - crisp highs, rich mids, and deep, punchy bass that truly enhances the listening experience. The build quality is outstanding, combining durability with a sleek, luxurious design. Every detail, from the materials to the finish, feels premium. If you're looking for both superior audio performance and top-tier craftsmanship, these headphones are a perfect choice.