[B&O Beoplay EQ Review] "Capturing Both Quality and Emotion" Earphones with a Distinct Presence

Review of Bang & Olufsen's New Wireless Earphones 'Beoplay EQ'

Bang & Olufsen Wireless Earphones 'Beoplay EQ'

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Bang&Olufsen's wireless earphones, the Beoplay EQ, are products with a distinct presence. Their elegant design appeals to the senses, and their clear and crisp sound design quickly captivates the ears.

The Beoplay EQ stimulates aesthetic sensibility from the first impression. The horizontally elongated, minimalistic charging case is finished with a clean aluminum material that resists fingerprints, revealing from the moment you open it that this is a luxury product. The model tested was in the "Sand Gold Tone" color, which blends beige and pink subtly to create a quietly elegant atmosphere.

The earbuds inside the case do not disappoint either. The circular touch buttons, made of gradient-treated aluminum, feature a prominently engraved logo. When worn, the sense of luxury and presence seems unmatched by any other wireless earphones on the market. The anodizing process applied to enhance the durability of the aluminum plays a significant role in elevating the product's premium feel.

Bang & Olufsen Wireless Earphones 'Beoplay EQ'

The earbuds are somewhat large. They fit by inserting the ear tip into the ear canal and slightly twisting to secure them, and the wearing comfort itself was not burdensome. It is also a plus that five types of ear tips, including foam tips, are provided. However, due to the earbuds' relatively large size and weight, they need to be inserted deeply into the ear canal for stable wear, which caused some fatigue after prolonged use. Additionally, regardless of comfort, if the outer ear canal and the connected auricle are not wide and deep, the earbuds protrude outward, making them less visually appealing from the front compared to the side view.

The Beoplay EQ is not just flashy on the outside. In terms of the most essential function?sound quality?it met expectations befitting a premium brand. The overall impression was that the sound was clear and each note was distinctly audible. Not only the high frequencies, which are usually the brand's strength, but also the bass and midrange were solid and clean, giving a well-balanced overall sound that was satisfying. Even in songs with ultra-high notes, the vocals were sharp and clear without distortion, providing a refreshing listening experience. However, the spatial sense of the sound was relatively subdued, so it did not feel particularly three-dimensional.

Call quality was better than expected. Bang&Olufsen explained that six MEMS high-sensitivity microphones with beamforming technology were installed to ensure clean and clear call quality. Even when making calls while moving on somewhat noisy streets, the other party's voice was quite clear. Call recipients also commented that the voice transmission was definitely effective.

Bang & Olufsen Wireless Earphones ‘Beoplay EQ’

The Beoplay EQ is Bang&Olufsen's first wireless earphones equipped with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology. Although somewhat late to the market, its performance appears adequate, effectively reducing ambient noise during public transportation use. It filtered out regular and continuous noises such as fans and air conditioners well, and similarly controlled rain sounds relatively cleanly. However, it struggled to suppress irregular outdoor wind noise, making it less suitable for activities like exercising or walking outdoors.

Additionally, the touch-sensitive area on the earbuds was clear and responsive, and pressing both left and right earbuds allowed volume adjustment, which was convenient. Other advantages include up to 6.5 hours of continuous playback with ANC activated and up to 20 hours total usage, as well as IP54-rated dust and water resistance. However, as with other Bang&Olufsen products, the price tag of 526,000 KRW may be a burden for some consumers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.