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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£110
Avg. price in US: ~$130
Form factor: on-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

3.4

Poor

3.4

Poor

?

0.2
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
1.0
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
0.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
1.8
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
8.4
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
0.2
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
0.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
1.0
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
4.5
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
8.4
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
9.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
1.0
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

N/A~ £110

Best rankings

#21 in Best Bang & Olufsen Headphones
#1060 in Best Wired Headphones

Verdict

The Beoplay Form 2 is an iconic, ultra-lightweight on-ear headphone featuring a semi-open dynamic design with a weight of approximately 68 to 90 grams and a frequency response range of 20 Hz to 21,000 Hz. Characterised by its minimalist retro-chic aesthetic, which is part of the permanent collection at MoMA, it delivers a clear and honest sound profile with a focused midrange and 30-ohm impedance suitable for mobile devices. Main pros include its timeless, stylish design and exceptional portability due to its featherweight build. However, cons include a lack of sub-bass impact, potential physical fatigue or clamping discomfort during long listening sessions, and a fragile plastic construction that does not fold for storage.

Technical Specifications of Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2

Overall score

3.4

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?

Popularity

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.

Sound

2.6

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

1.1

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

N/A

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

N/A

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Connectivity

6.2

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

2.7

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

4.9

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

7.1

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Bang & Olufsen

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

on-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

semi-open

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 vs the average headphone

Why is Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 better than the average headphone?

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60.6% lower weight
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 is lighter than the average headphone (86 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 is lighter than the average headphone (86 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.86 g vs 218 g
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
Open-back design
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones use an open-back housing that lets air and sound pass through more freely than a closed design.
When it matters: When you listen in quiet places and care more about spacious sound than blocking outside noise or preventing sound leakage.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
60.6% lower weight
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 is lighter than the average headphone (86 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Open-back design
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.

Why is Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 worse than the average headphone?

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Fixed cable
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
4.6 higher clamp force
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (8.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
Tangle-prone cable
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
No travel bag
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
No passive noise reduction
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
0.7 % higher distortion
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
8 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (94 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
22 Hz weaker bass extension
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (40 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
16 dB lower max SPL
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a lower max SPL than the average headphone (94 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
9 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a lower sound pressure level than the average headphone (94 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
Not headset-ready
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 is not headset-ready, while the average headphone is. 84.7% of headphones can be used as headsets.
1 fewer microphones
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
No voice assistant support
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
32 years older release date
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 was released earlier than the average headphone (1,985 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
January 1985
No passive noise reduction
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones reduce outside noise through physical sealing, fit, and materials rather than active electronics.
When it matters: When you want better isolation from fit and seal alone, even with ANC turned off or not available.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
No voice assistant support
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.
Importance: LOW
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
Fixed cable
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
What it is: Cable can be removed or replaced
When it matters: When you care about easier cable replacement, simpler storage, or the option to swap to shorter, longer, or upgraded leads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
0.7 % higher distortion
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
What it is: Percentage of harmonic distortion in audio output
When it matters: When cleaner sound reproduction matters at louder volumes.
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=1%
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.1 % vs 0.3 %
8 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (94 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (94 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.94 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
22 Hz weaker bass extension
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (40 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a higher lowest frequency than the average headphone (40 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.40 Hz vs 18 Hz
Not headset-ready
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 is not headset-ready, while the average headphone is. 84.7% of headphones can be used as headsets.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 is not headset-ready, while the average headphone is. 84.7% of headphones can be used as headsets.
4.6 higher clamp force
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (8.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (8.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.8.9 vs 4.3

Calls & Controls

Graphic comparison of Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2 and

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2?

Iconic, timeless retro design featured in the MoMA permanent collection
Extremely lightweight construction weighing under 90 grams
Clear, detailed midrange performance that accentuates vocals and acoustics
Spacious and open soundstage due to the semi-open driver configuration
Visually striking aesthetic with unique colour variations

What customers dislike about Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Form 2?

Lacks low-end bass extension and sub-bass depth
Can cause physical discomfort and ear-clamping fatigue during long listening sessions
Fragile all-plastic headband construction that risks breaking easily
Prone to sound leakage and lacks passive noise isolation due to the open-back profile
Does not include a protective carrying pouch or travel case
Ear pads easily fall off or deteriorate from sweat over time

Video reviews

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