New B&O Beoplay HX Headphones Hands-On Test & Review

Visit us for all things Audio Visual - www.smarthomesounds.co.uk
In this video, we review the brand new Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX headphones. We look at design, new features, test the noise cancellation & sound quality and compare them with some of our other favourite headphones in this market.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:16 Design
03:05 Control & Features
04:37 Noise Cancellation
07:45 Touch Controls
08:40 Comfort
10:29 Sound Quality Test
12:01 Connectivity
13:24 Headphone Comparison
15:38 Verdict
🛒 SHOP NOW (UK)
Shop B&O Beoplay HX Headphones - www.smarthomes...
GET IN TOUCH
Got any questions or looking for more personal advice? Get in touch - we’d love to help!
✉️ Email - [e-mail]
📞 Call - 0800 677 1100
💬 Live chat - www.smarthomes...
FOLLOW US:
📸 Instagram - / smarthomesounds
🐦 Twitter - / smarthomesounds
📕 Facebook - / smarthomesounds
VISIT OUR BLOG
📝 - www.smarthomes...
WHO ARE WE?
Smart Home Sounds is one of the leading UK online audio retailers. We sell a range of wireless speakers, turntables, headphones, HIFI equipment and much more.
✅ Free Next Day Delivery
✅ 30 Day Listen Better Promise
✅ VIP Loyalty Scheme
✅ Expert help & advice

[@annalisadeiana1073]

I just wanted to provide a little update : the HX now have a little sound signal when you use the ANC button. The sound is “regular” for the regular mode, a little muffled and lower tone for the ANC and has a bright and crisp tone for the transparency mode :) I think it’s better than the voice telling you which mode you’re using. Non-intrusive and clear

[@smarthomesounds]

Thanks for the update. We will pin this comment.

[@stewiewonder2601]

I've been using HX for the past 6 months and I just don't know how I could have existed without them before :) The sound is just impressive, natural, live, absolutely love every album I listen to on it. The battery - sometimes I even forget they're wireless, usually I'm able to use them for up to 5 days even and I'm a heavy listener (and worker as well, meaning there's a lot of calls during the day). One thing that could make them even better would be the option to tighten up - while working out on a bench, it's impossible to keep them on my head, they just slip ;) Oh and btw, there's an app on your phone where you can control the sound, the ANC and even got an access to radio stations. How cool is that!

[@youtubeaccount7137]

How is this headset for meetings? Using teams or other apps? Or calling?

[@stewiewonder2601]

they're doing great!@@youtubeaccount7137

[@DeirdreCL]

Cool, just bought a pair that arrived today. I love B&O headphones; they play a key role in keeping me sane.

[@smarthomesounds]

True that!

[@BangOlufsenManchester]

Nice review, I enjoyed this a lot. John

[@kirfdtyuszsaijknmol2469]

pls compaır by h95

[@marcbizer6404]

Not comparing these to the H95 is really an oversight. Sound and comfort are key- are they very similar? However, unless you need continuously variable ANC, the ANC/transparency button on the HX could be more convenient than the dial on the left H95 ear cup. Another significant advantage of the HX (to my mind) is the replacement of the off/on/pairing slider on the H95 with a button. Why is this an advantage? Because the slider on the H95 confusingly remains in the "on" position after they have turned off (if auto standby mode after 15 minutes of inactivity is enabled). It is also (IMHO) easier to press a button when wearing the headphones than to slide a slider.

[@Seanman4646]

Thanks to yourself the wife bought me the brown hx for Xmas, thank you Sir 🙏

[@jackli4249]

great review! Can you do a comparison of HX with H95 please?

[@Icecold_Art]

I was hoping for same thing. As a former H95 owner I was dissapointed with them and sent them back. They are too genre speciffic in my opinion. H95’s can sound Fabulous on some songs, while earpiercing harsh on others. I’ve spent many hours fiddling with EW both in Apo and using Boom 3D 34 band equalizer on my MacBook and could not make them sound more natural without sacraficing their character and wonderful clarity, they bacame an ok headphones, which for the price is a crime ;)

[@Shipwrckdntweetin]

Nailed it! Really enjoyed this review. I just purchased the H95! Finally a good fit, and sound sig that calls me. Did I miss the mic section? I say I’d never use it and then a call comes in. These so seem to be more every day. Thx for covering the bass calibration. Thanks again for a wonderful review.

[@jamieradford8069]

I still think the B&W PX8 Are The Best! Brilliant sound, Amazing Build Quality. I tried the HX and H95s and you are paying for the name.

[@katarixy]

I'm curious how the HX compares to the Portal and the H95

[@coolpandas8375]

Nice at the price point, but I prefer the sound of the PX 7 based on the sound comparison. I have the Nuraphones and prefer the immersive sound though not quite comfortable for prolonged use and the ear tips take some getting used to. Was using this H8 but gave it away after purchasing the nuraphones. Was thinking of the airmax and have watched tons of reviews on it but still not convinced it’s good value for money even though I am an apple diehard fan and I have all the apple products apart from the airmax. Will love a direct comparison with the HX and your views on the nuraphones as your next video. By the way I have subscribed to your channel as I enjoyed this review. 👍🏿

[@jedijarrod]

Same on the PX7…

[@mrguru091]

I was looking at thr PX7S2 at best buy and want to kno can u use them for working out like weightlifting and goin for runs? I didn't see they had an ip rating so then I saw the BO HX there and the salesman thinks they r good but wasn't sure. I did listen to the px7s2 and they sound good better than momentum 4 but I wonder how the hx sounds compared to px7s2 but they didn't have the HX hooked up to the sound station

[@LencoTB]

Excellent review and on of the first. Well done. I just got Sony XM4 and I wish I waited. These HXs seem to sound better. I was listening to H95 in the store and was blown away with the sound quality. But they were too expensive. Maybe HXs are more affordable and still sound great.

[@JoeGillian0]

Yes, i did not see that coming from B&O, the H95 price i could not justifiy and its case is awful, those would be more in my ballpark...But i only picked the XM4 that are just ok.

[@knrj]

Do these switch to HFP (Handsfree Profile) when paired with a Mac and joining a Video Conference... Drives my crazy on the H9 3rd Gen 😵

They really are a pair of premium, high-end, luxury headphones!

[@Ipuffyy]

11:42 you can adjust the bass in the app, making it arguably the best bass performer in its class. I have the H9 3rd gen and my god, they shake when im listening to heavy bass songs. The H9 does sacrifice some high's for the bass, but nothing muddy like the Sony's.

if you adjust the bass, it is very hard and strong and punchy but they hit very clearly and crisply! BO Signature Sound

[@philippGM]

First and probably the best review on HX already. Thanks for your view on these. What a pity the more pretty versions will be released later.

[@iu1191]

Great vid. More comparisons, please. How does the sound compare with the Sennheiser Momentum 3 and the B&O H95? Looking forward to more videos. 2 people so far have said that these are a real departure from the H9 but they don't look like they are. Thye looks like they are an incremental upgrade. Happy to be proven wrong.

[@ianthompson8531]

Great review. Have the B&W PX5 and find them uncomfortable to wear for long periods so these HX look a good replacement.

[@troensvitnesbyrd]

Thank you for a brilliant review. One question, how to control the voice assistant with these headphones? Is this feature here?

[@r4id3nolymp]

Very good and informative video! Thank you!

[@bjrnsjohnsen1278]

Great review! Just what I was after. Thanks!

[@Si_Vert]

Good review, I've just been on your website and these are £50 cheaper than anywhere else (£399) so I've just ordered a pair :D

[@diamondhellspawnscorpion]

Great sound demo.. 1st of HX's I have seen on KZbin..

[@frankleon1221]

Thank you so much for you review. Definitely I buy.

[@asimm40]

Great review - you said the Momentum 3s had 'brilliant sound' (my current headphones), do they beat the HX's for sound quality?

[@lewis02mc]

from what I can see in the video they haven’t made the ear pads much thicker in this new version compared to the old H9 3rd gens which to me had ear cups that were too shallow and caused my ears to press up against the plastic that covers the driver inside the headphones, shame really because they look great overall.

[@lana.9073]

Great review and excellent choice of music 🙏

[@thetruthsodealwithit2803]

They should have a tracker on them like a phone does! I left mine near the gym in a hurry I was so upset I even thought they had been stolen at the gym I almost got the police to check footage. My girlfriend asked at all the shops nearby and they where handed in the woman said she knew that I would of came as it was a electronics store and B and O are not popular she said I’m lucky kids don’t know anything but beats and apple!

[@Bungoooo]

just wondering whats your thoughts on the Px7's vs HX's sound quality out of the box? (with your sound preference of course)

[@thinkdifferent99]

I have a B&O H7 and I am very happy with it. Apart from ANC: is an upgrade to the HX justified if you leave ANC outside? Is the sound that much better?

[@alexchou4496]

I gotta says, they improved not that much but still better than H7 .

[@kings7man]

But no aircraft adaptor in the box from what i can see also is the battery removable?

[@mohamedahmed1023]

do these have replaceable earcups like other B&O models?

[@subzbus33]

Very nice review, thanks mate

[@Matasky2010]

In comparison right now (Nov '21), US prices are $247 Sennheiser Momentum 3 vs $405 BEOPLAY HX

[@platgeslagengehaktbal]

I just got these, but I can't get the volume control to work. Pauze/play works fine, fast forward and back too, albeit a lot mor tricky, but I've been messing with volume for half an hour but it's just not reacting. When I make the same gesture as in this video nothing happens, does that mean something's wrong?

[@MichaelSmith-pd5pt]

I think in this price range we all know B&O are going head to head with IPod Max. I know the Apple haters will instantly say it’s rubbish but there has been many tests with audiophiles now that said the only compare to B&O H95 with reviewers saying there is hardly difference. The other thing this era of teams meeting it would be good to hear what your voice sounds like from the internal microphone. When you are only talking about the battery and case on iPod max and not noise cancellation or sound quality maybe they are not close enough to and their competitor are still H95

[@martin.krencey]

Hi, thanks for the nice review! Can you kindly compare audio against the Apple AirPods Max and also Montblanc MB1? Thank you in advance!

[@user-ub3ow3nw2g]

i still think i prefer the philips fidelio 2 i think this headphones got it all.

[@aisidapatrick2781]

Can you compare the B&O H4 2nd gen with this new HX? It will be nice.

[@mjm9393]

Did they fix the issue the H9 had with the low battery beeps? Once the h9 battery hit 40%, they would beep three times every minute or so.

[@mtb5778]

this is a great review.

[@aospkitkat4446]

Def interested in a more thorough versus with the PX7 and the Momentum 3s.

[@maengel071]

What brand is the headphone stand?

[@mrguru091]

Also how does the HX sound compared the H95? Is it a big difference?

[@nikharkhandelwal6068]

loved the review...wanted to confirm if they have same easy battery replacement compartment like in H9i? Thanks

[@DeverSonic]

Did you get an answer to this anywhere?

[@nikharkhandelwal6068]

@@DeverSonic no

[@lukasmy6863]

Great review. Do you know how they compare to the Sennheiser PXC 550 ii? I know they are a lot cheaper

[@catlover8286]

Nice review! I have to buy it.

[@jarjared3522]

Can the Beoplay HX be used passively with the 3.5 mm wire port? What turned me off about the Beoplay H95 was the fact they need to be powered on when using it wired.

[@miroslavscherkl3533]

If they are constructed the similar way as my H9, then yes, they will as my H9 already work over cable even when the battery is drained.

[@jessely8209]

I've just returned them because I couldn't get the noise cancelling to work

[@kings7man]

How does the noise cancellation work on aircraft l notice that the aircraft adaptor has been dropped ?

[@euanjones7117]

These seem to be sitting at the same price as XM4s on Amazon right now at £250… are these a steal at that price or is there an updated model?

[@nicorizzi4513]

Hi there. I was hoping to get insight as far as the volume comparison between the HX and px7. I just bought the px7 and I love them but my only complaint is I wish they were just a tad louder. I have the volume all the way up on my iPhone and I feel like it could still be a notch or two louder. Are the HX’s louder any chance?

[@cristiangamez8670]

Take care of your ears mate. 50% is more than enough

[@Icecold_Art]

I currently own H6 2nd gen, and was in need of ANC headphones. So after much consideration I went all out and bought the B&O H95. And as much as I apreciated the materials/ build quality as well as stellar ANC (which I believe is on the lvl of Bose NC700 and Very celowe to Sony XM3/4) however their weight made them less comfortable. The nie design also made them look bulky on the head, unlike the łów profile H6 that I own. But the biggest gripe I had in these 700GBP headphones was that huge 18khz spike. They sounded amazing on certain tracks, very revealing and crystal clear, but I do listem to a lot of lider rock songs that have that „hissy” sounds in them, they were EAR PIERCING on H95s... When I did EQ that trebble down they Lost their charactereistic and that wonderful clarity. Became a bit hollow sounding. So I’ve sent them back and got myself Sennheiser Momentum 3, which sound great and lively ( although I ÈQ them for less bass and more trebble, to make them sound more balanced) but the ANC is average at best And although suitę comfortable they are a bit weighty as well. So here I was wondering of I should buy the H9 3rd gen and all of a sudden H TEN not H X ;) come out. I know that you did a sound demo, but I did listen to a similiar sound demo of H95 on same set of binaural microphones before, however that and yt compression can smooth out certain characteristic which fooled me before. Ciule you measure their freqency response for us Please? It would be a clear indication of their sound characteristics. Also the direct comparison to AirPods MaX and Momentum 3’s would be great ! Thank in advance!

[@Ipuffyy]

The way you judge the H95 makes it look like you're full of shit lmao. H95 is in its own league with superior sound and design.

[@Icecold_Art]

@@Ipuffyy just that I’, being honest about a product that is so expensive makes me full of shit? You are shallow minded person and it’s not worth continuing this discussion with you… you like them? Great for you…

[@kingbintox]

Compared to the airpods max you definitely will hear fuller and punchier bass on the airpods, however the mids on these HXs are greater than on the airpods. The airpods may have a more V-shaped character rather than a more balanced character in the b&o

[@jorgeluisfernandez2560]

Between this and a focal or hifiman which is better? Thanks

[@haideral-lawati5616]

what about the ear cushions? it is inevitable that the ear cushions will wear-out and need a replacement, so where to get the ear cushion replacements? am also looking for ear cushion replacement for the H6 2nd generation headphones, if anyone have an idea that is

[@downwithosama1]

Is there an option to tune the bass up so it sounds more like the NX7 if you use the app?

[@TheVelvetvoicecoach]

Great review. Thanks.

[@carlossalinas6234]

Does the audio pause when switching to transparency mode?

[@nekonhimedark5080]

How the hx compare to the h9i in the sound aspect? Thanks

[@theownmages]

I was disappointed that you didn't actually give some examples about the microphone voice quality. It's really hard to find headphones with a good microphone

[@user-dc3pd7us6e]

How do they stack up to the focal clears

[@Koichi75]

How does it sound compared to Beoplay H6?

[@badboy250984]

The sound quality on this B&O is fantastic but the bass do take time to get use to. Depend what type of music you listen to but I listen to a wide variety of music so the B&O is good. I personally won't bother with the EQ on the app, the default settings is the best in my opinion.

[@Dutch_VDL_]

What do you mean by that? I’m interested in these and I listen to a lot of hip hop do you not think this is a good fit?

[@badboy250984]

@@Dutch_VDL_ Whether it fits depends on your preference. Is not like these headphone doesn't have bass but is not as strong compare to the like of Bose for example. Like everyone said the mids and high is very good. The bass is strong but i won't describe it as deep. If having deep bass is your thing, i would recommend going to a shop and try it before you buy, otherwise it may disappoint you.

[@WilliamWorford]

Can someone tell me which headphones have bigger ear cups, H95 or the HX?

[@richyeo4255]

Very good detail review, better price compared to the h95

[@corrrect]

can you use ANC during phone calls?

[@murph8411]

It’s a pity they can’t make long lasting headphones. My h9 3rd gen are already suffering from small splits in the leather ear pads. I can’t even get replacements in black from b&o as they only have the fawn ones and they charge £65 for them. Why they are £65 when the older headphones pads are only £50 I don’t know. My h7 stopped working when the sliding button failed, as far as I can tell. Unfortunately I can’t even swap my h7 pads onto my h9 3rd gen as they don’t fit. Which means I can’t buy pads for another model to use with my h9. I hope they have changed from that poorly designed sliding switch that is just waiting to fail due to the poor materials used and the fact they aren’t actually connected to the switch inside.

[@Matasky2010]

I just wish they'd make them look just a bit more industrial, I miss the classic metal grill aesthetic...

[@mrguru091]

Can u weightlift or run with these?

[@invictaalin2496]

Why only compare the audio with the xm3 and not also the ANC? To me looks like you avoided that on purpose. I know for sure that the h9 3rd gen sound much better than the xm4 but the anc ist awful. Would like to hear them both.

[@SplitSquats]

Yeah, I was hoping that he would compare the anc too. And he should have compared to the xm4 since that is the latest product

[@MrPaglioz]

What about the same price better Portal version?

[@bustabunny1238]

i actually prefer the look of the h9 3rd gen

[@nickvogelius]

The same her :/ but anyway, in a few days I will have them both.

[@Paresh256]

how deep are the earcups?

[@esadtheblue]

What are the most comfortable headphones in this price-range? This is the biggest factor for me. I have Sony XM3s and I can't wear them for longer than 20 minutes. My ears heat up and they get very uncomfortable.

[@thetruthsodealwithit2803]

I have had loads of pairs of beats and alsorts and these are the only ones I can wear at the gym and not get uncomfortable infact I forget that they are headphones!

[@joe90superstar50]

Watched another review and he said it didn’t come with a case when clearly does in this video.

[@smarthomesounds]

Yes, these headphones 100% come with a case :-)

[@joe90superstar50]

@@smarthomesounds will you do a comparison between HX and new beoplay Xbox compatible versions, from what I’ve seen the microphone chat doesn’t seem to hot and that’s the £449 version that you don’t get a case with, which is a joke.

[@swoondrones]

Compared to xm5?

[@user-ve7bk8ol9t]

I‘ve picked hx

[@mohamedahmed1023]

Finally they're releasing something other than the H95... which I found offensively expensive for the performance they offered.

[@jlortizdk]

I have the H95 and honestly I love them!

[@LencoTB]

H95 are pretty damn amazing. I was in love with everything with them when I tried the them in the store. But they were just too expensive.

[@mohamedahmed1023]

@@LencoTB that's the issue. Their price needs to be warranted and the performance and build quality just don't justify their asking price.

[@ohsahib1969]

Comparison to the Bose QC35 ?

[@prvtjy]

Not even in the same ballpark,....

[@miroslavscherkl3533]

To me, Bose QC35 II sounded too plastic-y and shallow. I couldn’t stand their sound at all. But everyone’s hearing and sound taste is different.

[@dogepl]

Bowers wilkins px7 ❤️❤️❤️

[@telmoprata5540]

Super Professional.. SUB!!!!

[@christianl2363]

No mic test?

[@user-xl9ms7eg4o]

you have to read it as H 10 , not HX

[@rchatte100]

Seems about £50 more than EU/US pricing even including VAT. Maybe will get from amzon germany to avoid rip off UK pricing.

[@mathiassejersen9942]

I think that is due to inflation because of Brexit. The pound is probably worth less than it used to be.

[@rchatte100]

@@mathiassejersen9942 No the pound is almost back to pre-brexit levels aginst the euro. It's profiteering by B&O.

[@mathiassejersen9942]

@@rchatte100 comparing to pre-brexit, the pound is still 10% less worth in relation to the Danish currency right now. I don't know about the euro.

[@starcommand8815]

im just worried about the ear cups fitting my ears

[@9hundred67]

the bowers and wilkens sounds nice and full, compared to these tinny b and o's

[@mobilepsycho]

PX7's kick ass

[@mrguru091]

Are they loud? I'm looking at the PX7S2 but best buy told me they don't have an ip rating so they rnt sweat proof but I don't sweat like that. I wantwd them for goin out for runs and when I do legs or workout at the park

[@davidhunternyc1]

What? You did not compare the Beoplay HX to the elephant in the room, the Apple AirPods Max?

[@jlortizdk]

Who? There’s nothing to compare!

[@p00chie]

@@jlortizdk Your comment made me realize that ignorance is bliss.

[@ColinCreighton]

@@p00chie I understand that this comment is a year old. But I have used both, and they are very different. Not very comparable. I travel a lot, and found that the B&O HXs we're superior. They have better battery life, a better case, and are lighter. The Airpods Max get uncomfortable rather quick in comparison to the HXs. Also, while the ANC on the Airpods Max is a good amount more aggressive, it does so at a severe the cost to the sound. The Airpods Max are also a little too bass focused and definitely have a "V" shaped sound curve. Highs and lows are good, but mids are not as clear. Also, I hate that the only way to turn off the Airpods Max is to put them in their little "case" thing. I also don't like that there are hardly any controls on them, no headphone jack, and charge via lightning (an old port that charges slowly).

[@Khercules]

@@ColinCreightonwould you say that the b&f ANC is almost as good as the AirPods Max? I found a pair for a rather good price that I want to get. Thank you in advance!

[@sm3Xsa]

17 min video and nothing on how the latency is for gaming and watching video.

[@FirstLast-rq3hl]

Isnt it H 10

[@michaelknibbs]

Haich?

[@ericr7162]

The bowers Wilkins sounded more clear than the bang olufsens

[@M15Guys]

Using them now in complete silence. Control buttons seemingly have no actual control over what happens. Charging issues a problem ..... once they are actually operating, do not interrupt them otherwise expect complete shutdown and subsequent complications. Quite possibly, the worst product I have ever had the misfortune of losing money on .......

[@milianriedel]

Touch controls are worst. Coming from H9i

[@paulshi5974]

OMG, we are on the same boat... My H9i's controls gave out only after a month or two's usage. Sony XM4's touch controls are fine. It's just I find using aluminum as the touch interface is a bit silly.

[@yaoyaotigeraudio7299]

Nice work, friend, can we cooperate???

[@TheRjee]

Anyone else wonder if he is wearing trousers?!

[@el_semir]

Cent stand that ‚H’ pronounciation

[@smarthomesounds]

Can't*

[@congregationGlobal]

Cool

[@YurkoSpichak]

Touch control in HX is a nightmare and completely useless. Why don't use reliable buttons instead? It's just a waste of money.

[@nafizhaq4554]

Doesn’t justify the price on what you get ! Poor value for Money !