The Beoplay EX are true wi-fi earbuds that look gorgeous, really feel safe and light-weight within the ears and ship a crisp and balanced sound. You may get extra highly effective noise cancellation for much less with rival earbuds, however then, in order for you one thing reasonably priced, Bang and Olufsen isn’t for you.
Professionals
- Beautiful glass contact panels
- Crisp name high quality
- Balanced and customisable sound
Cons
- Costly
- ANC may very well be stronger
- No voice assistant button
Availability
- UKRRP: £349
- USARRP: $399
- EuropeRRP: €399
Key Options
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B&O’s first stem type earbudsFeaturing tempered glass contact panels
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Energetic noise cancellationAdaptive ANC and a transparency mode
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Bang and Olufsen appWith 5 listening mode presets and customisable EQ
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20 hours complete battery life6 hours with ANC on or 8 hours with ANC off
Introduction
Premium Danish audio model Bang & Olufsen brings forth its newest true wi-fi creation within the Beoplay EX.
Don’t be fooled by the EX in its title, B&O’s newest earphones aren’t to be left behind up to now like a foul relationship, they’re a step in a distinct path the place design is anxious, with one of many primary variations between it and the Beoplay EQ is the light-weight, stem-shaped design and tempered glass contact panels.
The Beoplay EX additionally pack bigger drivers and a better water resistance ranking, coming in at an ever-so-slightly lower cost than the EQ.
Design
- The earbuds function a stem design with a reflective contact panel
- The ear ideas provide a cushty and safe match
- They’re water and mud resistant as much as IP57
The Beoplay EX visually stand out from the Beoplay EQ and the Beoplay E8 Sport as a result of their Apple AirPod imitating stem design. I personally want the looks of spherical or oval-shaped earbuds, however its onerous to disclaim that the Beoplay EX look gorgeous.
The matte tail on every earbud contrasts with a brushed aluminium ring that circles a tempered glass contact pad. Inside every contact pad is a mirrored “B&O” panel that appears to shift in color when mild beams onto it. The glass is liable to choosing up fingerprints, however smudges are powerful to identify on the extremely reflective panel except you’re up shut and in search of them.
The earbuds are available in three finishes: Gold Tone, Black Anthracite and Anthracite Oxygen, the blue shade seen on this assessment.
The EX include 5 pairs of ear ideas in sizes XS, S, M and L, together with B&O’s Comply ideas, that are designed to take a seat tight within the ears if you work out. I used the usual ear ideas and located them very snug and safe within the ears, regardless of now a lot I moved round.
The earbuds even have a mud and water resistance ranking of IP57, which means they are often immersed in as much as one metre of water for as much as half-hour. This implies you’ll get the identical safety towards sweat and rain because the fitness-focussed Beoplay E8 Sport.
The wi-fi charging case feels simply as premium because the earbuds. It has a reassuring quantity of weight to it at 53g, however its nonetheless pocket-sized and has a matte end that feels cool to the contact and doesn’t decide up smudges.
Options
- ANC is first rate however not 100% efficient
- You possibly can transfer between presets and alter EQ within the B&O app
- The earbuds provide 6 to eight hours of battery life, relying on whether or not ANC is switched on
The Beoplay EX benefit from each lively noise cancellation and a transparency mode, permitting them to restrict and increase environmental noise as wanted.
I put the earbuds to the check on my morning commute and located the ANC did an first rate job of suppressing the hum of the air-con and the chatter of passengers. I might nonetheless make out the low rumble of the tube and the bulletins overhead had been distinct sufficient to make out, which is to say the noise cancellation didn’t suppress the whole lot. A pair of over-ears can be simpler, however the Beoplay EX did a stable job of decreasing distractions.
The transparency mode made prepare bulletins and visitors considerably clearer, together with the adaptive ANC toggle within the B&O app. This function is designed to watch and adapt to ambient sound as wanted. Whereas I discovered it did a good job the vast majority of the time, it was gradual to react to loud noises and I discovered it steadily let in ambient sounds that the usual ANC setting would block out.
Together with permitting you to regulate the ANC and transparency mode settings in your cellphone, the Bang and Olufsen app additionally permits you to monitor battery life, management playback, alter your name settings and toggle between 5 listening modes: Optimum (default), Sport, Commute, Clear and Podcast.
There’s additionally the Beosonic function, which lets you alter the EQ by leaning towards completely different traits relying in your private preferences. These embrace Vibrant, Energetic, Heat and Relaxed, together with various levels of bass and treble.
Calls sound extremely crisp by the Beoplay EX, and there are three mics squeezed into every earbud to make sure your voice is obvious on the opposite facet of the road, too.
The contact controls are intuitive, permitting you to cycle by the ANC settings, management playback, alter the quantity and decide up calls with the faucet or maintain of a finger. Nonetheless, there’s no shortcut to get up your cellphone’s voice assistant and you may’t customise these controls within the app.
Bang & Olufsen claims the battery is able to lasting as much as six hours with ANC switched on and as much as eight with out noise cancelling. This provides as much as a complete of 20 hours with the charging case included.
I discovered the battery hit the 50% mark round three hours in and the battery lasted 5 hours and 45 minutes in complete with ANC activated, which means the battery lasted about so long as anticipated, if a little bit wanting B&O’s declare.
5 to 6 hours is pretty normal for a pair of true wi-fi earbuds, although cheaper noise cancellers just like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 2, the Jabra Elite 85t and even Apple’s AirPods Professional carry bigger batteries of their circumstances, providing 25 hours of playback and extra.
The Beoplay EX additionally help wi-fi charging with any Qi charging pad, together with quick charging help that’ll will let you get one hour and 45 minutes of listening from a fast 20 minute cost.
Sound high quality
- Function giant 9.2mm drivers
- Crisp, balanced and dynamic sound at larger volumes
- You possibly can personalise the sound additional within the app
The Beoplay EX’s sound is pushed by a 9.2mm driver in every earbud. That’s greater than the 6.8mm ones within the Beoplay EQ and far bigger than the 5.7mm drivers within the E8 Sport, making them the biggest but.
The result’s a sound that’s each clear and balanced, and might be customised additional with the B&O app.
PS5 by Salem Ilese is impressively crisp and the vocals are filled with element and nuance. The tonal steadiness between the highs and lows sounds extremely pure, and the stereo picture paints a transparent sense of location for every instrument.
The sound is dynamic too, although you’ll must push the quantity previous halfway to get a very punchy impact. Nonetheless, the soundstage can really feel cramped – one thing that’s significantly noticeable when all of the components layer up within the bridge.
I discovered the bass leaned towards the hotter facet within the default Optimum listening mode, as might be heard in Rapstar by Polo G, although you’ll be able to alter this to your liking within the B&O app.
Like PS5, the hip hop monitor is crisp and dynamic from the guitar solo within the intro to the drums that soar in throughout the first verse. Vocals sound significantly refined by these earbuds and the general presentation is balanced and complicated, if a bit reserved at extra middling volumes.
Newest offers
Must you purchase it?
You need a premium pair of all-rounders The Beoplay EX mix a high-end design, with customisable audio and first rate ANC.
You need an reasonably priced pair of noise cancellers You don’t must splash out to get an excellent pair of earbuds. Bose, Sony and even Urbanista all promote true wi-fi noise cancellers for lower than this – and that isn’t even going into the sub-£100 pairs that provide the function.
Last Ideas
The Beoplay EX provide a refined step up for Bang and Olufsen’s true wi-fi line, with their greater drivers, improved IP ranking and new design.
The audio is crisp and balanced, the decision high quality is crystal clear and the customisable options within the app are helpful. The ANC and transparency mode do a stable job of decreasing ambient noise and letting it in as wanted, however the noise cancelling impact isn’t as robust as different pairs.
The earbuds are additionally very costly. In case you’re in search of a premium pair that sound nice and block out most annoyances, these earbuds will likely be proper up your alley. If you need extra, nonetheless, you will get stronger ANC for much less.
Trusted Rating
How we check
We check each headphones we assessment completely over an prolonged time period. We use business normal assessments to check options correctly. We’ll all the time let you know what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to assessment a product.
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Examined for 2 weeks
Measured how lengthy the battery life lasts at a medium quantity
Listened with streaming providers
