B & O Play

Audiophiles and tech aficionados rejoice – Bang and Olufsen have revamped their B&O PLAY line, with the introduction of the H9i and H8i.

Beoplay H9i

B&O’s top of the range over-ear headphones now flaunt a slimmer ear cushion and a change in materials and design. Sporting a lightweight aluminium frame covered in cowhide leather, the ear cushions are also sculpted with memory foam wrapped in lambskin – lush.

Touch controls, which featured in the H9 models, return to provide a more streamline appearance. Active noise cancellation has been finely tuned to perform better in the 300-800Hz range, the Hz range of human voices – perfect for in the office, study or on public transport. An all new transparency mode, where you can turn off the music and listen to your surroundings can be activated with a quick gesture. Built-in proximity sensors mean that when you take off the H9i’s music and video is paused, and resumed when you put them back on. Nifty.

Beoplay H8i

The H8i’s have also been readjusted to provide a cleaner, more streamlined finish, adjusted for more modern, contemporary feel. The transparency mode and proximity mode from the H9i’s also feature here, but the key difference the H8i’s have over the H9i’s is the physical button controls on the ear cups – a practical feature for when you want to adjust volume or change track. The H8i’s also have double the battery life of its H8 predecessors, with an incredible 30 hours of playtime – even with bluetooth and active noise cancellation switched on.