Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9
$500
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 headphones offer luxurious design and exceptional sound. With active noise cancellation and intuitive touch controls, they provide a sophisticated listening experience.

Our take
For those who appreciate the finer things in audio.
Alright, so let’s dive into these Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 headphones. First off, the look and feel — they definitely bring the luxury vibes. The materials are top-notch, with lambskin leather and memory foam making them super comfy for long listening sessions. But let's be honest, these aren't just for those who like to splurge on looks. They fit snugly around the ears, and the build quality feels solid enough to survive the daily hustle.
Sound-wise, these are pretty impressive. The audio is clear, with a balanced profile that doesn’t overly favor bass or treble, which is a nice change if you're tired of headphones that blow out the bass at the expense of everything else. That said, if you're a bass head, you might find them a bit tame on that front. The active noise cancellation is decent, but not the absolute best — it’ll drown out the hum of a bus or plane, but don’t expect complete silence if someone’s yapping nearby.
Now, the touch controls are a bit of a mixed bag. They look cool and futuristic, but sometimes they can be a tad too sensitive or just not respond the way you want them to. It can be frustrating if you're trying to adjust the volume or skip a track and it doesn't register properly. It's like the tech is trying to be smart, but sometimes it ends up being a bit too clever for its own good.
Battery life is solid, though. You’re looking at up to 25 hours with noise canceling on, which is pretty great if you’re on the go a lot. And if you run out of juice, you can always plug in the audio cable and keep listening, which is a nice touch. Just don’t forget to charge them up before a long trip if you want to enjoy that wireless freedom.
Overall, the Beoplay H9 is a blend of style and substance with a few quirks. If you’re someone who values aesthetics and comfort, and doesn’t mind fiddling with touch controls, they might just be worth the splurge. But if you’re all about that deep bass or need absolute killer noise cancellation, you might want to keep looking. They’re a solid choice, but not without their trade-offs.