Bang & Olufsen was established by two enterprising engineers, Mr Peter Bang and Mr Svend Olufsen with the goal of acoustic accuracy. Today the brand is globally renowned for its distinctive, high-performance audio products. Their B&O BeoPlay H3 ANC earphones is an extension of their contemporary style with no compromise on sound.
Created by renowned Danish designer Mr Jakob Wagner, this earphones with its’ sleek design, crisp sound quality and noise-cancellation features is my favourite to date.
For people on the go and travelers, Active Noise Cancelling headphones are a god sent. I can recall many occasions where I have been stuck on a 16 hour flight with crying babies and frustrated toddlers around me. While I don’t blame their fussiness, being able to switch off to a world of untainted music or sound is essential to my well-being. Even if it’s just an urban commute, I find serenity in being able to tune out whenever I want. Unfortunately, after trying various noise cancellation earphone or headphones in the market, I realised that a lot of them compromise on sound quality to achieve that quietness. Even when testing the pricier range of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) earphones, some just noise cancellation sound waves don’t go perfectly in sync with the outside noises which can make the audio experience even more unpleasant.
Which is why I was surprised that the B&O BeoPlay H3 ANC proved to be able to strike that perfect balance between sound, noise and silence. Working with both passive and active noise cancellation technologies, H3 ANC drops ambient noise by approximately 20 dB (90%) which is the equivalent of the noise you would experience at ten times the distance from the noise in a free space. No matter how noisy my ambient surroundings are, I was able to get clean, crisp sounds without having to crank up the volume and ruin my hearing.
The 29 precision holes function as air vents, resulting in natural sound reproduction. I love the acclaimed Bang & Olufsen Signature Sound which is wonderful for purists like me that like harmonious elements and strong vocals. For those who like their bass overblown or booming might want to give this a pass.
Before I go any further with my review, here’s an overview of the specifications.
Even though it only comes in one color, Gunmetal Grey, B&O BeoPlay H3 ANC hits all the right spots in their design for the aesthetically-conscious urbanites. The sturdy external housing of BeoPlay H3 ANC is made out of lightweight metal, which makes it robust and scratch-resistant, but keeps the weight at just 40 g. The metal has been hairline brushed on the front to catch and reflect the light and pearl blasted on the side to “kill the light’. This combination creates a contrast that adds depth and highlights the shape of BeoPlay H3 ANC.
With an iPhone compatible microphone and remote control, this set is the ideal portable choice for the discerning music fan. The carry on pouch that comes with the earphones makes it so easy to store. And thanks to the in-line remote, you can answer phone calls, control volume and music hassle-free. A flight adaptor is included as well as a USB cable for charging the battery.
Based on extensive research on the shape and curve of the human ear, BeoPlay H3 ANC is designed for utmost comfort and personalised fit. The 4 sets of replaceable soft silicon ear tips and 1 set of Comply™ memory foam ear tips that comes along with the headphones guarantees a near-perfect fit for most while optimising the acoustic performance. Personally, even with my tiny ears, I truly enjoy using the default set of T-200 Comply™ memory foam ear tips. It delivers a comfortable fit and helps passively to create effective noise isolation. I have worn this for extended hours and still find it absolutely comfortable.
The rechargeable battery inside the Active Noise Cancellation unit gives you up to 20 hours of continuous playtime with ANC turned on. But even if you run out of battery, it doesn’t mean the music stops. You will still get the Bang & Olufsen Signature Sound, just mixed with your surroundings. The lightweight Active Noise Cancellation control unit is designed to lie directly behind your phone in your pocket without taking up too much space. Turn Active Noise Cancellation on and off with the flick of a button.
Retailing at SGD379, BeoPlay H3 ANC is available from the following stores: Apple Premium Resellers, EpiCentre, Nubox, iStudio, Best Denki, Polaris, Challenger, Digital Style, Newstead, Sprint-Cass, Stereo, AV One, ConnectIT and Technobay @ Tangs.
Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day.
