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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Headphones Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£580Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:47 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):yes

Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

8.2

Overall score

Score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

8.2

Technical score

20%

?

User score

★Better than 94% of headphones
8.2

Technical score

Technical score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

52%

8.4

Sound

20%

8.6

Features

10%

6.5

Design

8%

7.7

Connectivity

6%

8.9

Battery

4%

9.0

Calls & Controls

★Better than 94% of headphones
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980

Technical score
Technical score
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

52%

8.4

Sound

20%

8.6

Features

10%

6.5

Design

8%

7.7

Connectivity

6%

8.9

Battery

4%

9.0

Calls & Controls

8.2
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

8.2

Overall score

40%

7.5

Price

8.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
yes
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
yes
This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation. 72.6% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Driver size
40 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Number of drivers
1
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
yes
Noise-canceling microphone
yes
This pair of headphones supports a noise-canceling microphone. 61.1% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
6
Number of microphones
6
This pair of headphones has 6 microphones, more microphones than 96% of headphones and equal to 2.4% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wireless
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
5.1
Bluetooth version
5.1
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 5.1, newer Bluetooth version than 84% of headphones and equal to 1.6% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
12 m
Maximum Bluetooth range
12 m
This pair of headphones offers a Bluetooth range of 12 m, higher Bluetooth range than 83.9% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Audio latency
100 ms
Audio latency
100 ms
This pair of headphones has audio latency of 100 ms, lower audio latency than 54.8% of headphones and equal to 1.7% of headphones.
Multipoint support
yes
Multipoint support
yes
This pair of headphones supports multipoint. 69.4% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
yes
Ambient sound mode
yes
This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode. 75.2% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
yes
EQ support
yes
This pair of headphones supports EQ customization. 76.8% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
yes
Companion app
yes
This pair of headphones works with a companion app. 78.4% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
continuous
Adjustable ANC levels
continuous
This pair of headphones offers continuous adjustable ANC levels, more adjustable ANC levels than 99.3% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
continuous ANC adjustment.
Voice assistant support
yes
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
47 hours
Battery life
47 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 47 hours, higher battery life than 70.9% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
47 hours
Battery life with ANC
47 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life with ANC of 47 hours, higher battery life with ANC than 78.5% of headphones.
Charging time
2 hours
Charging time
2 hours
This pair of headphones needs 2 hours to charge, lower charging time than 47.8% of headphones and equal to 39% of headphones.
Quick charge
yes
Quick charge
yes
This pair of headphones supports quick charge. 67% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
700 mAh
Battery capacity
700 mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 700 mAh, higher battery capacity than 66.4% of headphones and equal to 3.7% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
Bang & Olufsen
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
282 g
Weight
282 g
This pair of headphones weighs 282 g, heavier than 74.8% of headphones and equal to 0.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Active noise cancellation
    Active noise cancellation (ANC)
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • Ambient sound mode
    Ambient sound mode
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • EQ customization
    EQ support
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • Companion app support
    Companion app
    yes
    This pair of headphones works with a companion app, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
  • 16 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sensitivity
    118 dB/mW
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Multipoint support
    Multipoint support
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    Connectivity
    wireless
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • Clear call microphone
    Noise-canceling microphone
    yes
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • Better IP rating
    IP rating
    IP54
    This pair of headphones has a better IP rating than the average pair of headphones (IP54 vs none). The average headphones have an IP rating of none.
    IP54 vs none
  • Active noise cancellation
    Active noise cancellation (ANC)
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 16 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sensitivity
    118 dB/mW
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    118 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 15 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    Sound pressure level
    118 dB SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (118 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    118 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 17 hours longer ANC battery life
    Battery life with ANC
    47 hours
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (47 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    47 hours vs 30 hours
  • Quick charge support
    Quick charge
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports quick charge, the average pair of headphones does not. 33% of headphones support quick charge.
  • 17 hours longer battery life
    Battery life
    47 hours
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life than the average pair of headphones (47 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    47 hours vs 30 hours
  • USB-C charging
    USB Type-C
    yes
    This pair of headphones uses USB-C charging, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.5% of headphones use USB Type-C.
  • Play while charging
    Play while charging
    yes
    This pair of headphones can play while charging, the average pair of headphones cannot. 29.1% of headphones support play while charging.
  • Rechargeable battery
    Has a rechargeable battery
    yes
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • Multipoint support
    Multipoint support
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint, the average pair of headphones does not. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
  • More flexible connectivity
    Connectivity
    wireless
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AptX Adaptive support
    aptX Adaptive
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Adaptive, the average pair of headphones does not. 6.7% of headphones support aptX Adaptive.
  • AptX HD support
    aptX HD
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports aptX HD, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.6% of headphones support aptX HD.
  • AptX Low Latency
    aptX Low Latency
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports aptX Low Latency, the average pair of headphones does not. 8% of headphones support aptX Low Latency.
  • AAC codec support
    AAC
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • Dongle included
    Dongle included
    yes
    This pair of headphones includes a dongle, the average pair of headphones does not. 4.6% of headphones include a dongle.
  • 2 m longer Bluetooth range
    Maximum Bluetooth range
    12 m
    This pair of headphones has a higher Bluetooth range than the average pair of headphones (12 m vs 10 m). The average headphones offer a Bluetooth range of 10 m.
    12 m vs 10 m
  • AptX support
    aptX
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • Fast pairing support
    Fast pairing
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports fast pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 14% of headphones support fast pairing.
  • 50 ms lower audio latency
    Audio latency
    100 ms
    This pair of headphones has a lower audio latency than the average pair of headphones (100 ms vs 150 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 150 ms.
    100 ms vs 150 ms
  • Multipoint connections
    Multipoint connections
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports multipoint connections, while the average pair of headphones does not. 30.2% of headphones support multipoint connections.
    supports multipoint for up to 2 devices.
  • Low-latency game mode
    Low-latency game mode
    yes
    This pair of headphones includes a low-latency game mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.2% of headphones support low-latency game mode.
  • Clear call microphone
    Noise-canceling microphone
    yes
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • On-device controls
    On-device controls
    yes
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • 5 more microphones
    Number of microphones
    6
    This pair of headphones has more microphones than the average pair of headphones (6 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    6 vs 1
  • Wind noise reduction
    Wind noise reduction
    yes
    This pair of headphones reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • Sidetone support
    Sidetone
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • Quick mic mute
    Mute function
    yes
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • Ambient sound mode
    Ambient sound mode
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports ambient sound mode, the average pair of headphones does not. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
  • EQ customization
    EQ support
    yes
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • Companion app support
    Companion app
    yes
    This pair of headphones works with a companion app, the average pair of headphones does not. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
  • 6 newer release date
    Release date
    2022
    This pair of headphones was released more recently than the average pair of headphones (2022 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    April 2022
    2022 vs 2016
  • 29.4% higher weight
    Weight
    282 g
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (282 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    282 g vs 218 g
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    Lowest frequency
    20 Hz
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 6.44x more expensive
    Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£580 vs £90).
    £580 vs £90
  • 5.87x less popular
    Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 6.44x more expensive
    Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£580 vs £90).
    £580 vs £90
  • 5.87x less popular
    Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 29.4% higher weight
    Weight
    282 g
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (282 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    282 g vs 218 g
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    Lowest frequency
    20 Hz
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
techradar.com
03/04/2025
Summary of the review
D
digitaltrends.com
05/05/2022
Summary of the review
T
techradar.com
26/04/2022
Summary of the review
S
sitegeek.fr
11/10/2022
Summary of the review
D
datacom.global
02/05/2022
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

What we like about Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980

  • Superior build quality featuring high-end materials like anodized aluminum and soft leather.
  • Exceptional audio fidelity and refined sound performance suitable for both music and business calls.
  • Lightweight design (282g) and over-ear cushions provide all-day comfort, even for users wearing glasses.
  • Effective Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes that allow users to tune in or out of their surroundings.
  • Seamless integration with Cisco Webex, including native call control sync and centralized IT management.
  • Versatile connectivity options including Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, and 3.5mm, supporting simultaneous dual-device connections.

What we don't like about Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980

  • Extremely high price point that may be difficult to justify for users not heavily invested in the Cisco ecosystem.
  • Microphone performance issues reported by some users, such as voice fading in and out when using a USB-C connection.
  • Mobile app limitations where certain Webex features available on desktop do not translate to the mobile experience.
  • Subjective EQ controls that use a four-quadrant slider rather than a traditional multiband layout, which may not appeal to all audiophiles.

Verdict

The Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 is a premium wireless over-ear headset designed for business collaboration, featuring Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation and 6 geometrically placed beamforming microphones that eliminate the need for a physical boom arm. Built with luxury materials like grain leather and aluminum, the 282g headset offers Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity with multipoint support for up to two simultaneous devices and a battery life of up to 47 hours of listening or 23 hours of talk time on a single charge. Its main pros include superb audio fidelity across high-end codecs (aptX Adaptive, AAC), seamless Webex integration with enterprise-grade security, and a quick-charge feature providing 3 hours of use from a 10-minute charge. However, notable cons include its high retail price point of approximately $549, the lack of a dedicated charging dock, and a mobile app equalizer that uses a non-traditional quadrant interface rather than standard bands.

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