At $399/£349, the new B&O Beoplay EX Earbuds are positioned at the very high-end of in-ear audio, and they’ll need to perform exceptionally well to justify the price tag.
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B&O Beoplay EX Earbuds
However, performing at the top end of the audio market is something Bang & Olufsen has done for years. Every speaker and piece of audio equipment I have used bearing the B&O logo has performed better than the device looks, and the entire range is stunning!
In short, B&O are one of the few brands that can charge a premium price and justify it.
The new EX buds will sit alongside last year’s EQ earbuds and the slightly older E8 Sport, providing B&O with three in-ear options for travellers who demand the best music experience when they’re on the move.
B&O Beoplay EX Earbuds// Features
The new EX buds comprise aluminium, polymer, silicone and uniquely tempered glass, all of which have been shaped into new ergonomically designed earbuds that, in my opinion, are arguably the best looking on the market.
This new combination of materials is best shown off on the Anthracite Oxygen option (see below); however, the Black Anthracite and Gold Tone are almost equally as impressive.
Inside, B&O has placed an Electro-dynamic 9.2mm driver in each bud that is not the biggest, nor smallest, at this price point for this type of bud. The drivers’ performance will be boosted by the adaptive active noise cancellation and the six Omni directional microphones.
Tuned by the brand’s acoustic engineers with decades of experience, Beoplay EX brings the superior sound that listeners expect from Bang & Olufsen’s legacy of portable and home audio products to the comparatively-miniature package of an in-ear device
Bang & Olufsen
Designed for Life
B&O have looked beyond delivering superior sound with the Beoplay EX earbuds and has recognised how many travellers now use them for more than just music.
Focus on the design and shape to reduce the size, bring more of the housing in-ear, and ship the EX with COMPLY foam tips, allowing users to wear the buds for longer and more comfortably. There’ll be a selection of silicone gel tips in the box to ensure all ear sizes can get the perfect and snug fit.
Improving call quality for hands-free and video conferencing is also high on the B&O list, and to deliver this, they’ve added three Omni directional microphones into each bud. All six microphones have beamforming technology and Adjustable own voice controls.
Switching between devices is possible thanks to the Multipoint connectivity with Bluetooth 5.2, and the Beoplay EX earbuds will remember the last eight devices they are connected to for faster pairing.
Power & Controls
The EX earbuds and charging case have 600mAh of battery power. This translates to around 24 hours of playback with ANC turned on and about 28 hours with it off or in Transparency mode.
The charging case offers multiple charging options as you’d expect on a $300+ pair of buds. For a quick 1.45 hours charge, there is USB-C, and for a more leisurely 2.15-hour charge, you can use the Qi Wireless option. A single 20-minute charge results in 1.75 hours of playback.
That eye-catching tempered glass disc, protected by an aluminium ring, on each bud conceals the touch controls. The good news is that although B&O support the EX Earbuds on its app (Android | Apple), including Beosonic equaliser and noise cancellation adjusters, there is complete control support on the buds.
| Left Earbud | Right Earbud |
| Volume down ANC / Transparency Own Voice | Play / Pause Volume up Incoming/End call |
B&O describes the EX earbuds as “Premium true wireless earphones with soul-stirring sound and adaptive ANC to block unwanted noise. Secure and comfortable fit. Perfect for sport. Or just a walk.”
B&O Beoplay EX Earbuds// Specifications
| Dimensions | Buds – 22x35x23mm Case – 66x28x48mm |
| Weight | Buds – 6g each Case – 53g Combined – 65g |
| Colour Options | Black Anthracite Anthracite Oxygen Gold Tone |
| Driver | 9.2 mm Electro-dynamic w/ neodymium magnets |
| Frequency Range | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
| Technology | Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation |
| Battery | 600mAh |
| Battery Performance | ANC On – 6 hours ANC Off – 8 hours Case – 20 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 USB-C Qi Wireless Charging |
| Certifications | Made for iPhone (MFi) Microsoft Swift Pair Supports Apple watch interface Google Fast Pair |
| Waterproof Rating | IP57 |
| Multipoint | Yes remembers previous 8 connected devices |
| Customizable Sound EQ | Yes |
| App Support | Android Apple iOS |
| In the Box | EX Earbuds Charging Case 0.5m USB-A to USB-C cable 4x Silicon tips 1x COMPLY Foam tips Manual |
| Website | bang-olufsen.com |
B&O Beoplay EX Earbuds// Pricing
The new B&O Beoplay EX Earbuds are $399/£349 at bang-olufsen.com.
