Beoplay EX

The Beoplay EX wireless earbuds by Bang & Olufsen are an outstanding pair in terms of sound quality, surpassing many competitors in this aspect.

Beoplay EX earbuds offer a comprehensive package with great sound, impressive battery life, improved water resistance, and noise-cancelling technology. They are a promising choice for high-end audio enthusiasts.

Bang & Olufsen’s new Beoplay EX earbuds combine outstanding audio quality with a waterproof design that blends performance and contemporary aesthetics, offering a versatile experience.

Beoplay EX, an upgrade in Bang and Olufsen’s true wireless line, features larger drivers, improved IP rating and a revamped design.

The premium build quality of the Beoplay EX headphones is evident in the glass touch panel on each earbud and the engraved branding on the lightweight charging case. Despite their high-end aesthetics, they maintain a non-intrusive profile thanks to their stem design.

The new Beoplay EX has a stem-based design that sits comfortably and discreetly in the user’s ear. It offers modern styling while remaining understated. The design is smaller than ever, providing a stable fit that can stay in the ear for hours without adjustment.

Available in Black Anthracite, Gold Tone, or Anthracite Oxygen finishes, the earbuds are sold with a brushed aluminum carrying and charging case that fits comfortably in the pocket, allowing them to be used on long trips without fear of the battery dying.

The Beoplay EX wireless earbuds are visually appealing, comfortable and light, offering a balanced and clear sound output.

The Beoplay EX earbuds feature a matte tail, a brushed aluminium ring, a tempered glass touch pad with a mirrored “B&O” panel, and are available in three finishes: Gold Tone, Black Anthracite, and Anthracite Oxygen.

The Beoplay EX is designed for simplicity, with easy-to-use controls on the earbuds for music playback and phone calls. There’s no need for audio tests to find the best fit or to customize the audio response.

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 technology and background noise reduction software, the Beoplay EX can be used in various environments and can connect to two devices simultaneously.

The Beoplay EX, with its adaptive ANC, is suitable for a variety of sound profiles and audio sources, making it the company’s most adaptable, truly wireless product to date.

The Beoplay EX offers clear sound and features like transparency mode and adaptive ANC, which, although slow to react to loud noises, generally adapts to ambient sound. The B&O app allows users to adjust these settings, control playback, monitor battery life, adjust call settings, and choose between five listening modes.

The Beoplay EX earbuds have been lauded for their excellent sound quality, imaging, sound stage, and loudness. However, they have average ANC and transparency. The microphone quality is good, even in noisy environments. The fit is satisfactory, though some users may need to occasionally adjust the earbuds.

The Beoplay EX offer impressive sound quality, despite not providing complete isolation from ambient noise. They are designed for those who prioritize superior audio over other features.

Users express immense satisfaction with the Beoplay EX, noting a significant improvement in sound quality compared to previous models.

The B&O earbuds offer excellent sound quality and Active Noise Cancellation performance, justifying their high cost. They are likened to strapping speakers to your head due to the impressive audio quality they deliver.

Audiophiles appreciate the Beoplay EX for addressing the shortcomings of previous models, such as comfort, size, touch controls, and waterproofing, and express intention to purchase the new model.

The Beoplay EX is recommended for those who value top-notch sound and appreciate additional features. Those on a tight budget or those who will be away from a power source for an extended period may want to reconsider purchasing the Beoplay EX.

While these earbuds are high-end and do a great job at sound output and noise blocking, they come with a hefty price tag. For those seeking stronger ANC, there are less expensive alternatives available.

The sound is detailed and immersive, and the ability to customize the sound to incredible levels, allow for a personalized listening experience. The effective active noise cancellation (ANC) performance ensures a clear and uninterrupted call quality.

The Beoplay EX boasts of spectacular glass touch panels, provides clear call quality and offers a balanced and customizable sound experience.

There are occasional signal interruptions. The application that comes with the device tends to have glitches. The cost of the device is high, which might not be affordable for everyone.

On the downside, the Beoplay EX is costly, has a less potent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and lacks a voice assistant button.

The EX model features a glass back touch surface with an aluminum outer ring.

The Beoplay EX’s wireless charging case matches the earbuds’ premium feel, offering a pocket-sized, smudge-resistant matte finish and a weight of 53g.

The Bioplay EX case, made from aluminium and polymer, weighs only 66 grams, making it extremely portable. The earbuds won’t accidentally fall out due to the strong magnets in the case.

The earpiece fits comfortably in the ear, providing a secure fit without causing discomfort or the need for repositioning.

The EX earbuds offer superior comfort and fit, especially during physical activities like running, hiking, and racquetball, making them ideal for active individuals.

The Beoplay EX, designed with a 9.2 mm speaker driver, offers an enhanced audio experience without compromising comfort.

The Beoplay EX’s sound is driven by a 9.2mm driver in each earbud, larger than those in other Beoplay models, resulting in clear and balanced sound that can be further customized in the B&O app.

The Beoplay EX headphones come with four pairs of silicone ear tips in different sizes, as well as a pair of Comply foam ear tips.

The Beoplay EX comes with five pairs of ear tips, including B&O’s Comply tips, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit, especially during workouts.

The earbud case is made out of space-grade aluminum, which is incredibly premium but prone to nicks and coating peel-offs.

Each earbud houses a 9.2mm Neodymium speaker driver, the largest in any B&O wireless earbuds, promising a frequency range of 20 – 20,000Hz.

The design includes a stem similar to the Apple Airpods and a glass touch surface surrounded by an aluminium ring.

The Beoplay EX come with an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, adding to their practicality and durability.

The earbuds are sweat and IP57-certified dust resistant, and waterproof, making them a highly durable option for those with a more demanding lifestyle.

The Beoplay EX earbuds are rated IP57 for dust and water resistance, allowing them to be submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, providing the same level of protection as the Beoplay E8 Sport against sweat and rain.

The earbuds have an IP57 rating for waterproofing, which is a rare feature in true wireless earbuds.

The Beoplay EX is IPX57 waterproof, making them highly resistant to water damage.

The Beoplay EX design enables an IP57 water resistance level, comparable to industry leaders like Jabra LH7 Pro.

The Beoplay EX earbuds are relatively lightweight at six grams each.

The Beoplay EX are available in a variety of colors including Anthracite Oxygen, Gold Tone, and Black Anthracite. The US and Australia also offer a Lunar Red option. The design is visually appealing, distinctive, and somewhat unconventional.

The Beoplay EX earbuds come in three colors – anthracite, oxygen, and gold. The gold variant will be available at the end of May 2022, while the black anthracite variant will be available at the beginning of June 2022.

The device offers Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, allowing it to connect to two devices simultaneously.

The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity and support various audio codecs including SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive.

Connectivity is a strength of the Beoplay EX earbuds. They utilize the latest Bluetooth 5.2 technology and support the aptX adaptive codec, which appeals to audiophiles. The earbuds also have certifications for Google First Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, and Made for iPhone. They also offer multi-point connectivity, allowing them to connect to two devices simultaneously.

The Beoplay EX have different controls for music and calls. Volume can be adjusted by holding a finger on the right or left bud, and play/pause and ANC levels can be changed with a single tap on the respective earbud.

The Beoplay EX have intuitive touch controls for cycling through ANC settings, controlling playback, adjusting volume, and picking up calls.

The touch controls on the Beoplay EX earbuds are excellent. Despite the limited space, they provide accurate command registration and a smooth, precise user experience. The extensive command range also allows for comprehensive music playback control, ANC mode toggling, and call handling without needing to use a phone.

The right earbud controls multimedia, while the left controls sound modes, with both capable of adjusting volume. The earbuds also have single-use functionality, with the only difference being that the left and right earbuds are used for skipping tracks.

The soft touch glass of these earbuds allows for touch activation with a light tap, as opposed to a forceful tap.

B&O offers an Adaptive ANC option, where the six microphones in the buds analyze the surroundings and adjust the noise cancellation level, or a manual setting option on a scale of one to three.

The companion app offers a few options to influence call sound, including ‘Own Voice’, ‘Neutral’, and ‘Noise Cancellation’. The ‘Own Voice’ mode seems to be the most effective.

The Beoplay EX earbuds offer an impressive level of sound profile customization, surpassing what’s offered by Bose and Apple. The B&O app presents an EQ wheel with four distinct sound directions (Bright, Energetic, Warm, and Relaxed), allowing users to adjust the sound to their liking. It also allows users to save multiple sound profiles, each tailored to a specific genre. This provides quick access to up to five profiles from the app’s home screen.

A feature to reduce wind noise is available in the companion app, although the difference it makes is not very noticeable in normal windy conditions.

The companion app for the Beoplay EX provides extensive sound profile customization options, including a touch-controlled on-screen dial for fine-tuning the sound equalizer, and the ability to save multiple sound profiles.

The Beosonic feature in the app allows users to customize the EQ according to their preferences, with options like Bright, Energetic, Warm and Relaxed, and different levels of bass and treble.

The accompanying app offers basic functions like Bluetooth pairing, media controls, and equalizer adjustments, but lacks the ability to map buttons.

The Beoplay EX earbuds feature both active noise cancellation and a transparency mode, allowing them to limit or amplify environmental noise as required.

The Beoplay EX use adaptive noise cancellation, which adjusts its effectiveness based on the environment or the fit of the earbuds.

The Beoplay EX is available in various color options such as Anthracite Oxygen, Gold Tone, Black Anthracite, and Lunar Red. It supports Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and features codec support for SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive. It comes with adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The product also has an IP57 rating for water resistance. It offers 6 hours of battery life for the earbuds and an additional 20 hours with the charging case. Finally, each bud weighs 6g and the charging case weighs 53g.

The Beoplay EX offers an option for choosing ambient sound levels, and has a Transparency mode for letting in some environmental sounds.

The battery life of the device is not class-leading, offering six hours with ANC turned on and eight hours with it off. The charging case extends this to a total of 20 hours.

With ANC on, the Beoplay EX has a battery life of six hours, which extends to 20 hours with the charging case.

The earphones can last up to 20 hours with charging in the case, and 6 hours when using active noise cancellation.

The Beoplay EX’s battery can last up to six hours with ANC on and eight hours without it, with a total of 20 hours of battery life with the charging case. The battery performance is close to B&O’s claims, and the earbuds also support wireless charging and fast charging.

The Bioplay EX offers a modest battery life of around 5 hours with active noise cancellation on, and the charging case can recharge the earbuds up to three times. The case can be charged using a Qi-enabled charging mat or the included USB-C cable. However, actual battery life may vary based on factors such as volume level, ambient temperature, and use of active noise cancellation.

The Beoplay E10 offers up to six hours of battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) on and eight hours with it off, but actual usage may vary. The total battery life is around 28 hours, and the earbuds can be charged wirelessly or via USB-C.

The Beoplay EX case can be charged via USB-C or Qi wireless charging, taking about 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours 15 minutes respectively.

The Beoplay EX require fewer taps for controls such as play/stop, forward/backtrack, and ANC compared to the EQ, which is appreciated.

The Beoplay EX wireless earbuds offer enhanced call quality, credited to the three microphones in each earbud and the intelligent beam-forming technology. Although it doesn’t offer a perfect “crystal clear” sound, it’s an improvement from other brands like AirPods Pro 2.

The Beoplay EX earphones offer superior call quality with three microphones in each earphone, beam-forming technology, and own-voice functionality.

The Beoplay EX delivers clear and crisp call sound quality, with three microphones in each earbud to ensure the user’s voice is clear on the other end of the call.

Despite the eartips being inserted quite a distance into the ears, the sound delivered by the Beoplay EX was more open and spacious, creating an immersive soundfield without the need for spatial audio computational technology, with greater impact and more beautiful vocals.

The audio performance of the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX was described as immersive, offering a balanced soundstage with great depth. Every element of the audio was distinctly identifiable, yet formed a cohesive package.

The active noise cancellation on the Beoplay EX earbuds effectively suppresses background noise such as air conditioning hum and passenger chatter, although it doesn’t completely eliminate all noise. Despite this, the Beoplay EX does a commendable job of reducing distractions.

The Beoplay EX provides impressively crisp sound with detailed and nuanced vocals, a natural tonal balance between the highs and lows, and a clear sense of location for each instrument in the stereo image.

The audio processing of the Beoplay E10 is above average though not spectacular, ensuring clarity of sound even in noisy environments.

Both the Bioplay EX and EQ share a neutral sound profile, catering to a wide range of music genres. Despite this, if you prefer a V-curve in your earbuds, the EX might be more suitable due to its enhanced bass and broader sound stage. Both models offer equalizer controls via the app for personalized music tuning.

The package includes the headphones in a case, a USB-C cable for charging, an instruction manual, three pairs of silicone gels, and a pair of comply ear tips made from memory foam for a snug fit.

The high price of the Beoplay EX might deter potential buyers, especially with comparable options from Bose, Sony, and Apple that often have price drops.

The fit of the earbuds can significantly affect the sound quality and comfort. Switching from medium to large silicone tips improved both the fit and the sound quality in the test, even outperforming the fit of the AirPods Pro 2. The Comply foam tips of the Beoplay EX provided a more secure fit than the AirPods Pro 2, despite the largest silicone ear tips being used on the latter. However, removing the Beoplay EX required a bit more effort compared to the AirPods.

In terms of sound, the Beoplay EX wireless earbuds exceed expectations, and could potentially outperform popular options like the Apple AirPods Pro 2, delivering perfect levels of bass and treble.

Unlike the wireless earbuds from Apple and Bose, the Beoplay EX does not have a feature to test the fit in your ears, relying instead on the user’s perception to ensure the best possible seal.

The adaptive noise cancellation feature of the Beoplay EX is impressive, though not quite on par with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. It does, however, effectively isolate you from external noise.

In comparison, the Bose QuietComfort EarBuds II allows more ambient sound in its equivalent of Transparency mode. Bose holds a slight edge in noise cancellation capabilities.

When compared to the Bose QC Earbuds II, the Beoplay EX earbuds deliver a louder, more enjoyable performance, even at the same volume level, providing a clear demonstration of where the additional cost of these earbuds is invested.

Users have returned the Beoplay EX due to inadequate Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), despite the excellent sound and build quality. For the price, they expected better ANC and thus opted for Bose’s QC earbuds II.

Regarding sound quality, users find the Bose QC II similar to Beoplay EX but with a better three band EQ. Bose’s fit is more secure and comfortable, especially during exercise.

Users found that Bose QC II earbuds did better than the Beoplay EX in terms of noise cancellation, but their all-plastic build and the charging case left much to be desired. They also wished the case supported Qi charging, which they believe should be a standard for earbuds priced $120 or above.

The Beoplay EX performed exceptionally well during a flight, blocking out most of the common airplane noises like engines and crying babies. In comparison with the Sony WH-1000XM4 and AirPods Pro 2, the B&O pair provides superior isolation.

The Beoplay EX boasts larger drivers and enhanced water resistance compared to its predecessor, the Beoplay EQ, all while being slightly more affordable.

Despite the design difference, both models offer similar comfort levels, with the same type of ear tips provided for a similar fit. They rest comfortably on the ear and can be worn for extended periods without discomfort.

Both the Beoplay EQ and EX offer touch controls with similar functionalities, including volume control, music playback, track changing, and ANC mode toggling. However, the EX model’s touch controls outperform the EQ’s in terms of response time and accuracy, despite having a smaller touch surface.

Both the Beoplay EQ and EX feature battery-saving modes and support wireless and USB-C fast charging. However, the EQ model has a slightly longer official battery life, though actual battery life may vary based on individual usage.

The main difference in sound quality between the Bioplay EX and EQ is attributed to the larger driver in the former. This theoretically allows the EX to output more power, a claim confirmed through decibel meter testing. The EX was found to be approximately 10% louder than the EQ at the same frequency range, producing more bass and a wider sound stage.

At 70% volume level with a default equalizer setting, the EQ’s sound stage may feel more congested compared to the EX. Adjustments on the EQ might still fall short of achieving the desired sound stage. The EX, on the other hand, delivers a more impressive sound stage and punchier bass at the same volume level and default equalizer setting, along with superior instrument separation.

Both the Beoplay EQ and EX are priced at $650 in Australia, although the EQ model can occasionally be found on sale, potentially saving $50 to $100.

Users report that compared to the Beoplay EQ, the Beoplay EX is incredibly comfortable, lightweight, and stable, even during physical activities. The sound quality, especially the bass, is highly praised.

The Lunar color variant of the earphones is well-received. The product is noted to have a more powerful sound driver than the EQ model.

While the EQ might be preferred for genres like classical, jazz, and ambient electronic due to its more spacious sound, the EX offers a larger and deeper soundstage, creating a more immersive musical experience.

The Beoplay EX distinguishes itself from the Beoplay EQ and the Beoplay E8 Sport with its Apple AirPod-like stem design, and despite the personal preference for round or oval-shaped earbuds, the EX’s stunning aesthetics are undeniable.

While the Beoplay EX’s battery life is standard for wireless earbuds, some cheaper noise cancelling earbuds like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, the Jabra Elite 85t, and Apple’s AirPods Pro offer more battery life with their charging cases.

The Beoplay EX noise cancellation may not be as impressive as on competitors like the Sony XM4 or the Bose Quiet Comforts. The earbuds do manage to cancel out most major low-frequency sounds, like road noise when inside a car. However, for the price, one might expect a higher level of noise cancellation.

The Beoplay EX have a similar size and stem-like appearance as the AirPods Pro. However, the earbuds and the case are more elongated, in line with other familiar earbud designs.

Despite being ingrained in the Apple ecosystem and using AirPods Pro, users find the design and sound quality of the Beoplay EX tempting, even superior to that of the Apple AirPods Pro.

The EX earbuds have been praised for their superior sound quality compared to the AirPods Pro, although their ANC is nearly non-existent.

The Beoplay EX earbuds, while having good sound quality, reportedly have poor Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and wind cancellation, even when these settings are activated. The EX’s poor ANC makes AirPods a better choice for those seeking good ANC and decent sound quality, particularly for gym use.

Both the Beoplay EQ and EX cases are similar in terms of footprint and weight, ensuring easy portability. The design differs slightly in the finish and shape of the case, with the EX model resembling the AirPods more closely.

Most users prefer the Beoplay EX due to its superior sound quality compared to the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7, which has a bass that overpowers other frequencies, whereas the Beoplay EX delivers a cleaner sound.

The case of the EX earbuds is beautifully designed, offering a superior tactile experience compared to other TWS cases. However, it only serves an aesthetic purpose. The PI7 case, though less visually appealing and made of cheap plastic, features a functional audio retransmission system that works exceptionally well.

Both the EX and PI7 earbuds support Aptx Adaptive and are tested with a Pixel 6 Pro. The PI7s connect at AptXHD 24 bit depth and 48kHz, while the EX earbuds connect at AptX 16 bit 44.1kHz, extendable to 48kHz but not to HD. Although the difference is minimal, the EX earbuds stand out for their solid and flawless connectivity, devoid of any Bluetooth issues. On the other hand, the PI7s suffer from frequent connection dropouts, which is a significant drawback.

Both the EX and PI7 earbuds offer a comfortable fit, but the EX earbuds edge out slightly due to their ergonomic design, perfectly tailored for the ear. Despite their ordinary appearance, a closer look reveals a large driver lodged in the ear canal. The PI7s, on the other hand, win on aesthetics.

The EX earbuds provide superior call quality, even in windy outdoor conditions, which was previously a challenge. However, the call volume in the speaker was observed to be lower than that of the PI7.

The EX earbuds deliver an impressive soundstage, with clear vocals and adjustable bass. They offer a pleasing sound experience suitable for extended periods of listening. However, the PI7s, despite their connectivity and chip selection issues, deliver an unrivaled sound quality that brings music to life, thanks to their two separate drivers, discrete amplification, and Bowers and Wilkins’ expertise.

The Beoplay EX, while high-end in comparison to the Nothing Ear, have their own flaws and do not match up to premium devices like Audio64 in terms of sound quality. Despite this, they offer great value for their price of $99.

In terms of comfort, the new Beoplay EX are reported to be more comfortable than the Sennheiser MTW3 model.

While the Sony WF-1000XM4 provides superior active noise cancellation (ANC), it falls short in terms of comfort and sound quality. Users also found the ANC on the EX to be sufficient when paired with the passive noise isolation provided by Comply foam tips.

Another user strongly believes that Bose’s sound quality cannot match Beoplay EX. They assert that while Sony and Bose offer decent ANC, they cannot compete with the superior sound quality of Beoplay EX earbuds. They argue that the sound quality of Beoplay earbuds is unmatched among wireless earbuds, only being surpassed by the not-so-accessible NuraTrue pro. They consider the NC of Beoplay EX earbuds to be adequate, not amazing, but good.

Launched on May 5, 2022, the Beoplay EX is available in multiple colors including Anthracite Oxygen, Gold Tone, Black Anthracite, and Lunar Red.

The Beoplay EX costs $400.

The Beoplay EX is available at a cost of $369.02 on Amazon, while it is priced at $400 at SSENSE GLOBAL.

The Beoplay EX is available for purchase at £349 in the UK, $399 in the USA, and €399 in Europe.

The earphones have been critiqued for their easily scratched case, poor Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency features, and subpar call experience, despite their high price.

The EX’s case size is a minor drawback, as it is a bit too bulky for pants pockets. A thinner, wider design could improve portability.

The Beoplay EX earbuds feature a highly responsive glass touch surface for controls, though it can be overly sensitive, causing accidental pausing of music when adjusting the earbuds. The earbuds also pause music when removed from the ears and resume playback upon reinsertion.

The accompanying app for Beoplay EX earbuds could benefit from improvements, although it’s not frequently needed.

Although the Beoplay EX’s noise cancellation is commendable, it doesn’t top the charts, and the battery life could have been extended, especially considering the high price.

The earbuds deliver a crisp and dynamic sound quality in hip hop tracks, from guitar solos to drums, and offer particularly refined vocal output. However, the audio presentation might seem a bit subdued at medium volumes.

While there are alternatives offering stronger noise cancellation at a lower price, Bang and Olufsen are not known for being a budget-friendly brand.

The benefits of aptX Adaptive, a codec that combines the best of aptX HD and aptX low-latency, can only be reaped if the source music player supports it. Testing with iPhone 13 Pro and MacBook Pro, which do not support aptX, led to occasional signal dropouts.

Despite the positive aspects, the Beoplay EX earbuds have some issues, including occasional signal dropouts, which is unexpected for wireless earbuds in this price range.

The companion app offers plenty of customization options, but has some issues, including a less than smooth setup process and occasional failure to recognize the earbuds.

Some users have reported intermittent connection drops, particularly in areas with multiple Bluetooth signals.

The Beoplay EX struggled with noise cancellation in a noisy environment, causing an imbalance in audio. This issue wasn’t resolved even with firmware updates.

Despite the excellent sound quality, the high price point of the Beoplay EX and minor shortcomings may not justify the cost for some.

The small size and sleek aesthetics of the new Beoplay EX continue Bang & Olufsen’s design tradition and its 96 years of heritage. The brushed aluminum ring housing complements the mirrored glass-like finish of the body, which reflects light as the wearer moves.