Top Bang & Olufsen headphones for half price! Beoplay EX still among the best

Not every electronics discount means a good buy. Often, it’s about getting rid of outdated models that have long been surpassed by competitors. With Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX, the situation is different – although these headphones came to market in 2022, their sound quality and craftsmanship still secure their place among the best. And when you can get them at Alza with code ALZADNY50 for 4,995 CZK instead of the original 9,990 CZK, the situation starts to get interesting.

Why were Beoplay EX so expensive in 2022?

Bang & Olufsen is not a brand that goes for the cheapest solution. Upon launch, Beoplay EX cost roughly 10 thousand Czech crowns, making them some of the most expensive wireless headphones on the market. The reason? 9.2mm neodymium drivers – the largest B&O has ever installed in its earbuds. Brushed aluminum and glass construction. Adaptive noise cancellation with six microphones. And above all, sound that, according to many reviews, surpasses the best.

A foreign reviewer from TechRadar described it straightforwardly: “It hurts to know I’ll never buy them. B&O has ruined all other wireless headphones for me.” Such emotional reactions are not often seen in tech reviews. But at almost 10 thousand Czech crowns, not everyone actually bought them.

What you get for under five thousand

Beoplay EX offer adaptive active noise cancellation, which automatically adjusts to the surrounding environment. It’s not quite on the level of Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or AirPods Pro 3, but it’s still a very capable system with three microphones in each earbud. IP57 certification means water and dust resistance – you can use them in the rain or during intense workouts.

Battery life is 6 hours with ANC enabled, up to 8 hours with noise cancellation off. Together with the brushed aluminum charging case, you get a total of 28 hours. The case supports wireless Qi charging.

Connectivity is provided by Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive support. In practice, this means that on Android devices with aptX support, you get significantly better sound than via classic AAC.

Sound is top-notch

Here’s the crux of the matter. While most wireless headphones in the price category up to 5 thousand CZK offer either too much bass or, conversely, flat, uninspired sound, Beoplay EX, according to foreign reviews, managed to find the right balance. Bass has sufficient impact but doesn’t overpower vocals. Trebles are clear and detailed. The overall soundstage is spacious, almost as if you were wearing over-ear headphones.

In the Bang & Olufsen mobile app, you’ll find an advanced equalizer in the form of a touch wheel, where you can adjust the sound precisely to your preferences. It’s not just a few preset profiles (Rock, Pop, Jazz), but continuous adjustment between four directions: Bright, Energetic, Warm, and Relaxed. You can save an unlimited number of sound profiles and switch between them according to music genre.

A three-year-old model – is that a problem?

Honestly? Much less so for headphones than for phones. Bluetooth 5.2 still works reliably, and the differences compared to the newer 5.4 version are minimal. Audio drivers don’t age like processors – a 9.2mm neodymium driver is just as good as it was in 2022. And as for design, the Danish elegance of brushed aluminum and glass is timeless.

What you need to know before buying

Foreign reviews point out occasional signal dropouts when used with iPhones. The problem is likely that Apple does not support aptX Adaptive, and the headphones have to settle for the AAC codec. This problem did not occur on Android devices with aptX support. Battery life of 6 hours with ANC is not top-tier – AirPods Pro 3, for example, last longer. And the Bang & Olufsen mobile app sometimes loses connection with the headphones and requires a restart.

These are not fatal flaws, but for headphones originally costing 10 thousand, one would expect a more perfect package. However, at the promotional price of 4,995 CZK, it is more easily forgivable.

Who is it suitable for

If you actively listen to music and care more about sound quality than the latest features, Beoplay EX at half price are an interesting choice. Especially if you have an Android device with aptX Adaptive support – there you will get the best the headphones have to offer. They are also suitable for sports thanks to IP57 certification and comfortable ergonomic design.

Conversely, if you are looking for maximum battery life or the most modern ANC, opt for Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sony WF-1000XM5 instead. And if you are firmly rooted in the Apple ecosystem, AirPods Pro 3 will be a better choice due to seamless integration.

Are you considering buying Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX headphones?

Source: Alza.cz