Bang & Olufsen has long been known for their sleek, minimalist aesthetic and premium sound quality. Two of their most popular wireless headphones are the Beoplay H9 and the newer Beoplay H95. But with the $500 price difference, which one is the better buy?
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll look at the key features, sound quality, comfort, and value of the Beoplay H9 versus the H95. Let’s dive in and see how they stack up.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Beoplay H9 | Beoplay H95 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2019 |
| Price | $400 | $850 |
| Design | Over-ear, leather/aluminum | Over-ear, leather/aluminum |
| Weight | 285g | 309g |
| Drivers | 30mm electrodynamic | 40mm titanium |
| Sound Quality | Excellent, lively | Superior, detailed |
| Noise Cancellation | Good | Great |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes, enhanced |
| Controls | Touch interface | Physical buttons |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Battery Life | 20 hrs | 20 hrs |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Comfort | Good | Excellent |
| Carry Case | Synthetic leather | Canvas |
Overview And Design
The Beoplay H9 were released in 2017 as a set of over-ear, wireless noise cancelling headphones. Crafted with premium materials like aluminum and leather, they oozed luxury while providing adaptive noise cancellation, transparency mode, and a unique touch interface.
Two years later in 2019, B&O released the upgraded Beoplay H95 as their new flagship headphone model. With a focus on comfort and sound, the H95 feature softer ear cushions, improved ANC, and higher quality drivers than the H9.
In terms of design, both headphones share B&O’s characteristic minimalist aesthetic with circular earcups and metal accents. The H95 have more premium real lambskin leather and come in two toned color options of black anthracite or natural.
The H9 is slightly lighter at 285g Vs. the H95’s 309g due to differences in materials. But both offer a very comfortable fit for long listening sessions.
Sound Quality
The H95 boast significant improvements in audio quality over the already excellent sounding H9. They feature specially designed 40mm titanium drivers that deliver clearer mids/highs and punchy, powerful bass.
The H9 are no slouch though with 30mm electrodynamic drivers optimized for crisp treble and accurate midrange. The sound profile is well balanced with a slight bass emphasis that brings music to life.
For audiophiles, the H95 provide a more spacious, textured sound that reveals nuances in your music. The bass digs deeper and sounds tighter on the H95.
Most users will be very satisfied with the lively, energetic sound of the H9. But those wanting the best of the best will appreciate the superior resolution and refinement of the H95.
Noise Cancellation & Transparency
Both models provide effective active noise cancellation to block out environmental sound. However, B&O’s improved ANC system on the H95 eliminates more ambient noise across a wider range of frequencies.
Frequent flyers or commuters will notice the better isolation from loud traffic, chatter, and airplane engine roar with the H95. Voices sound more muted and it’s easier to get lost in your music.
For allowing situational awareness and conversation, the transparency mode passes through external sound clearly on both models. The H95 adds more natural ambient filtering for a seamless listening experience.
If you’ll be using noise cancellation frequently, the H95 have a clear edge. But the H9 are still highly capable for quieting noisy environments.
Controls & Connectivity
A signature feature of the Beoplay H9 headphones is their innovative touch control interface. Just swipe and tap on the right earcup to adjust volume, play/pause, skip tracks, and more. It works fairly reliably and looks very futuristic.
The H95 adopt a more old school approach with physical buttons for power, ANC switching, and playback. This provides more tactile feedback and avoids accidental touches.
Connectivity is excellent on both models with quick pairing, stable Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC one-touch for Android users. You get around 30 feet wireless range before the signal cuts out. Only the latest H95 support the aptX Adaptive codec for devices like Samsung phones.
Battery life is identical at ~20 hours of constant playback for each charge. Rapid charging gives you 50% charge in under 30 minutes. The headphones recharge via USB-C.
Also Read: Is Beoplay H95 Better Than Bose 700?
Comfort
While the H9 are reasonably comfortable, the H95 are simply luxurious. The protein leather and memory foam earpads hug your head without clamping too tightly. The breathable materials stay cool during long listening sessions.
The H95 are among the most comfortable over-ear headphones available. The lighter H9 put slightly more pressure on your head, with earpads that aren’t quite as soft. Those with larger heads may find the H9 clamp a bit tightly.
In terms of portability, both models fold inward into a compact shape. The H95 include a sturdy canvas carrying case, while the H9 come with a simpler synthetic leather case. The slightly lighter H9 may have marginal portability benefits.
Value & Verdict
With street prices around $350-$400, the Beoplay H9 provide an excellent balance of luxury design, features, and audio quality. While not cheap, they deliver a premium headphone experience for hundreds less than the H95.
The flagship H95 push sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort to the limits. And the lavish materials live up to their steep $850 MSRP. These are reference-grade headphones for discerning listeners with deep pockets.
Ultimately, the extra $500+ for the H95 gets you more refined acoustics and a plusher listening experience. But the H9 punch well above their weight, acting as a relative bargain for the B&O brand. Unless you need that top notch ANC and audio fidelity, the H9 make for a smart luxury purchase.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For most buyers, the H9 provide better value. But the H95 deliver superior comfort, noise cancellation, and audio quality that audiophiles will appreciate.
The Beoplay HX are an on-ear model positioned below the H95 in B&O’s lineup. Key differences are the in-ear design, lack of ANC, and lower sound quality of the HX.
B&O headphones like the H9 and H95 compete directly with Bose. B&O offers sleeker style, touch controls, and luxurious materials. Bose often has an edge for noise cancellation and comfort at lower prices.
The Beoplay H95 were released in August 2019 as B&O’s current flagship over-ear headphones. They replaced the Beoplay H9 as the top model.
Also Read: Differences Between Bang & Olufsen And Bose Headphones.
Conclusion
So in summary, the Beoplay H95 offer upgrades in audio fidelity, noise cancellation, comfort and premium design over the older Beoplay H9. But at $500 less, the H9 provide strong performance and luxury styling for hundreds below the H95’s steep price tag.
Ultimately your budget and needs will determine which B&O headphones are the better match.