I tried B&O's $2,200 luxury headphones to see what they offer that cheaper ones don't. Here's what surprised me.

As a tech writer, I've used hundreds of headphones and earbuds. I review dozens each year for various publications, including top options from Apple, Bose, and Sony. But while I've tested cans from all the major players in the mainstream market, I haven't really dabbled much in the luxury space.

So when I got the chance to try out Bang & Olufsen's $2,200 Beoplay H100 wireless headphones, I was excited. Could these premium headphones really offer something that $500 models can't match? Could their high-end design, convenient extra features, and top-tier performance really justify their sky-high price?

As I started my testing, I fully expected to be wowed, but the Beoplay H100 still managed to surprise me. These premium headphones truly deliver a luxury experience. To be clear, their appeal is strictly limited to buyers with especially deep pockets, but if you fit that bill, they're worth serious consideration. Here's everything that stood out while using these ultra-high-end headphones.

The hype is real, and the design screams luxury

The first thing that genuinely shocked me was that the Beoplay H100 headphones actually live up to the hype. Their comfort is tangible, and the audio quality is excellent for Bluetooth wireless headphones.

After testing so many different models, I'm keenly aware of all the tiny annoyances that plague mainstream headphones, so I was looking for them. But nearly all the nitpicky gripes I have about the rough edges of cheaper consumer-level headphones have been completely polished away.

This starts with the design. The H100 feature custom titanium drivers, hardened glass touch controls, and lambskin earcups. Not to mention, they come with a cowhide leather carrying case that's worth more than many premium headphones are on their own.

The on/off feature is magic

My favorite part of the H100 headphones is their automatic on-and-off function. I'm not talking about the music pausing automatically when you remove the headphones. They support that, too. But what I love is that when you take them off, they automatically go to sleep after a customizable amount of time (five seconds is the default).

To turn them back on and reconnect them, simply remove them from their case or grab them from your desk and put them back on your head. It's that simple.

This eliminates one little annoyance that I have with many other headphones. I generally loathe using the on/off button on most headphones because all manufacturers want you to press and hold it for different lengths of time, so there's no standard. That's why I love this feature on the H100. It just works well without any guessing.

The touch controls don't suck

Lots of headphones have touch controls, but I've rarely found any I can tolerate. However, the touch controls on the H100's exterior earcups are actually good. In all my testing, they've never been triggered by accident, unlike many other headphones.

The button on each ear cup is also customizable, and the rotating dials are tactile and responsive. They're actual moving pieces. Spinning the ANC up and down is kind of fun — though a button press can activate it. Sure, there's a gimmicky element to these side dials, but they do feel smooth and pleasing to operate.

Noise cancellation is genuinely fantastic

The Beoplay H100 headphones feature some of the best active noise cancellation (ANC) on the market. I took them on a trip, and they were able to nearly silence all the noise of an airplane cabin and a busy terminal.

Subjectively, I have a hard time deciding whether the H100, Sony WH-1000XM6, Apple AirPods Max 2, or Bose QC Ultra Headphones have the absolute strongest active noise cancellation in every scenario. But the H100 are certainly worthy of being in that group of top performers.

I've run simulated tests with those headphones, setting ambient cafe, street, and vacuuming noise to 75 decibels at two feet. The H100, AirPods Max 2, and QC Ultra Headphones stood out the most.

On the flip side, I think the transparency mode's quality at least matches Apple's. The H100 headphones don't sound digital or compressed when letting in outside sound. And the left dial can gradually raise or lower the transparency level on the fly.

Bang & Olufsen advertises 32 hours of use with ANC turned on. With heavy, on-and-off usage, I was able to go several days without needing to plug them in. So, the battery life is good, but not amazing. It will easily get you through multiple flights or heavy travel.

They're on the heavy side

Weight might be a factor for some people. My wife's first comment when trying them on was about their heft. At 375 grams, they slightly undercut Apple's AirPods Max, but they do feel weighty.

The padded headband is firm, with just enough give to be comfortable. At first, I was skeptical of the headband, but it never gave me any issues and let me listen for as long as I wanted. I had no trouble wearing them during a cross-country flight.

Repairability is on the table

Another unique feature is that the H100 headphones are modular and reparable. Different pieces can actually be removed for maintenance or replacement. In theory, this should enable the H100 to have a longer lifespan than typical headphones.

They have magnetic ear pads that can be swapped in seconds, along with easy access for installing a new headband, a new battery, and even the drivers themselves.

Oh yeah, they sound good too

Of course, any headphones that cost two grand should deliver excellent audio performance, and the Beoplay H100 do exactly that. I love their deep bass, crisp vocals, and welcoming sound. However, I wouldn't recommend buying them solely for this reason. The audio quality here complements the headphones' other high-end aspects, making them a complete package — but the H100 don't sound substantially better than most flagship cans in the $400 to $500 range.

There are a few songs I listen to each time I review a speaker or a pair of headphones. "Freeze Tag" by Dinner Party is one of those because, around the five-second mark, there is a deep bass drop. Less capable gear usually can't reproduce this low, expansive sound. The Beoplay H100 headphones had no problem letting this low frequency bellow out.

Every song I listened to sounded clear and detailed. I could hear buried background vocals just fine. The H100 aren't overly opinionated in their default sound profile, but they also aren't sterile. There's a richness to them that works for all genres.

I also compared the sound to other headphones from Bose and Apple. I thought the midrange was a little more present on the QC Ultra Headphones, with more prominent guitar strums. In contrast, the H100 have more of a U-curve, highlighting the lows and highs, but the difference is subtle. Meanwhile, the AirPods Max may actually have a slightly larger soundstage, but again, this is hard to hear outside of a direct comparison. If you have minor quips, you can always use the mobile app to adjust the H100's EQ to your liking.

The H100 are also stacked with all the technical features I'd expect from high-end headphones, including support for wireless Dolby Atmos from Apple Music. They can also play Hi-Res audio from supported devices, and an included 3.5mm cable is provided for wired listening.

Who are the Beoplay H100 for?

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 headphones are ultra-refined and almost flawless, with several cool perks and niceties that cheaper headphones lack. However, for a typical consumer, I'd argue that there's really nothing a pair of headphones could do that would ever justify costing $2,000+. But these aren't for typical consumers.

Expensive audio products like this are squarely for luxury shoppers who can afford premium headphones regardless of cost. There's no standout technical reason to buy these. Instead, the high cost is part of the brand, the allure, the desire for lavish design and build quality.

They're like a luxury watch, handbag, or car. They use nicer, more expensive materials, but they still tell the time, get you from place to place, or carry your stuff just like their less expensive counterparts. In this case, the Beoplay H100 are stellar headphones, but they don't play music 4.5 times better than $500 or $650 models like the Apple AirPods Max 2 or Sony 1000X.

However, if budget is of absolutely no concern, you'd be hard-pressed to find a nicer pair of wireless headphones. These are like an Omega, Longines, or Grand Seiko watch for your ears.

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