B&O Play Beoplay H5
HIGH FIVE FOR BANG & OLUFSEN’S FIRST BLUETOOTH EARPHONES.
WITH CURRENT BATTERY tech basically equating to bigger = better, Bluetooth earphones have to make a tough choice. ey can go with a neckband style design (like the Jabra Halo Smart opposite), ditch the cable altogether and have two discrete buds, or opt for the ‘standard’ design, like what B&O has done with these Beoplay H5s, which just happen to be the brand’s rst Bluetooth in-ear o ering.
As you’d expect, these buds are decked out with the latest and greatest technical components, including support for the newish Bluetooth 4.2 speci cation and Qualcomm’s aptX Low Latency technology that helps keep media in sync. Similarly, the audio quality is exceptionally crisp and full from two well-engineered 6.4mm dynamic speakers and can be cranked up surprisingly loud without distortion.
e overall physical design is pleasing, too, with a the magnetic clasp that hooks the headphones together when they’re not in your ears. ough that clasp wasn’t overly strong and actually sits a little awkwardly on your chest (with the earbuds protruding downwards), it’s very convenient and didn’t actually take long to get used to. We actually became extremely fond of the fact that clipping the buds together is the method for switching o the headset, a notably faster alternative to nding a power button.
We were rewarded with the same pleasant surprise in the Beoplay H5’s battery life which, while inarguably lower than what you’ll get from earbuds with a neckband, still rounded out at a perfectly-usable ve-hour lifespan. e 50mAh batteries in each earbud do mean that the buds are a little bulky, but the range of silicone and foam tips and the ergonomic design mean that they still stay rmly in your ear.
B&O doesn’t explicitly mention the IP rating of the Beoplay H5s but suggest splash and dust resistance to ward o sweat and exposure to the elements while training, adding up to a generous list of features that go a long way towards living up to the premium price tag.