Bang & Olufsen A8 Review | 93 Data compared

The Bang & Olufsen A8 Earphones are premium, stylish earphones constructed from anodised aluminium, plastic, and hard rubber, featuring a folding hook design that sits over the ear. Originally released only in black, they are also available in white, green, yellow, and orange. On the positive side, they offer an uncharacteristically balanced, smooth, and detailed sound profile that performs well across a wide range of music genres. Additionally, they are surprisingly inexpensive for the luxury brand—costing AU$70 less than competing sets like the Creative Aurvana Air—and feature a high-quality hinge that allows for an easy initial fit. However, the earphones suffer from significant drawbacks regarding fit and bass performance. The reviewer noted an uncomfortable overall fit, highlighting that the hinge easily comes loose during movement. This requires the user to repeatedly clamp the earbuds back down against the ears to keep them in place. Audio-wise, the A8s are not suited for bass lovers, as they lack a deep, rich low-end punch. Ultimately, while they look great and offer highly accurate vocal clarity and instrument separation, their loose-fitting design and lack...

The Bang & Olufsen A8 earphones offer a premium, highly adjustable design crafted from robust anodised aluminium and hard rubber, weighing just 22g overall. Designed to match the natural contours of the ear, they feature several flexible elements: a hinged over-ear bar, a sliding ear unit to accommodate different ear sizes, and a 360-degree rotating earpiece to properly direct audio. While the numerous adjustment options can take a few minutes of initial fiddling, they make the lightweight earphones surprisingly comfortable, even for some users who wear glasses. The 1.2-metre fixed cord provides adequate movement for daily tasks and low-impact activities like bike riding or jogging, though it can easily pull the earphones out if caught on something. They also come supplied with a leather pouch and are available in sporty colours like white, green, orange, and yellow. In terms of performance, the major pros of the A8 earphones include their slick premium aesthetics, lightweight build, and impressive, confident audio quality that delivers a satisfyingly strong bass and stable sonics at high volumes. However, the prominent con is their steep £115...

The Bang & Olufsen A8 Headphones, priced around $160, are high-end, mid-range earphones engineered for active users like runners. Designed by Anders Hermansen, they feature a high-tech aluminum and rubber/plastic look with a 4-foot, tangle-resistant cord. The key selling point is their unique hook-over-the-ear design with three points of physical adjustability, which ensures they remain comfortable and securely in place during workouts. In terms of performance, the reviewer highlights an excellent, well-balanced sound quality that reproduces the music spectrum beautifully without being overly heavy on the bass. Despite the initial praise, the review includes several notable downsides regarding cost, durability, and a high prevalence of counterfeits. While the reviewer lists the premium price as a con, a major underlying issue is the fragility reported by multiple users, including loose cord connections and snapping joints. Furthermore, the reviewer later discovered through commenter feedback that the specific unit they reviewed was actually a counterfeit clone. True B&O A8 headphones are characterized by a distinct semi-circular case and fluid piston stems, whereas the fakes often come with oval cases, shorter rubber pieces, and...

The Total Guide to Wiltshire review praises the Bang & Olufsen A8 earphones for their durable anodized aluminum construction, exceptional comfort, and a highly adjustable ear-hook design that offers a tailored fit. Users can expect superior audio performance that rivals large loudspeakers, with the review emphasizing high-quality sound and great value for the price. Total WiltshireWhile offering a premium, compact design, the A8’s structural ear-hook mechanism may introduce more bulk compared to standard earbuds. Additionally, the reliance on a rigid over-ear hook for sound sealing may feel restrictive to some users, although the overall sound quality is considered unparalleled in its class.

The Head-Fi reviews for the Bang & Olufsen A8 EarphonesGo highlight exceptional, "work of art" craftsmanship featuring brushed aluminum, along with extreme comfort and a lightweight design. Acoustic pros include accurate, balanced mids and detailed highs, paired with high sensitivity that makes them easy to drive. Conversely, the reviews heavily criticize the thin, distortion-prone bass caused by a poor seal and the "horrible," low-quality cable that lacks a remote. Furthermore, the $160 price tag is deemed excessive given that the overall sound profile is heavily colored and lacks technical detail.

The B&O A8 headphones are a highly portable, over-engineered audio option constructed primarily from lightweight aluminium and rubber, weighing just eight grams per earbud. A major strength of these headphones is their innovative, customizable design featuring rotating ear hooks and bud posts that deliver a remarkably secure and snug fit, making them ideal for physical activities like exercising or biking. In terms of performance, they excel in the upper audio spectrum with flat, clear highs and surprisingly clean, articulate bass. Additionally, they come bundled with a short cord optimal for portable use, an extension cable for home listening, and a premium leather carrying case. Despite these benefits, the headphones suffer from notable drawbacks, most prominently their steep $150.00 price tag, which makes them a tough sell compared to competitors like the Sony Nudes that cost less than half the price. Mid-range audio frequencies are also a weak point, characterized by a slight dip in the middle mids that saps the impact of guitar-heavy rock, alongside an upper-mid accent that can occasionally produce a tunnel-like effect. Furthermore, the bundled foam ear...