Earset 3 different versions…

Good evening to you alls,

I'm considering one of this little wired buddies, maybe more as a collector than listener… Anyway.

It seems they are many models :

- Earphones (which comes in many color, seen in 2009-2010 catalog).
- Earset 3 (in the same catalog but in the Phone section, looks like to have unilateral wire).
- Earset 3i.
- A8 (which seems to be the original model, but I'm not sure). 

I'd like to know what are the differences between models, build quality, sound, features… If they're models to avoid and other to look for. And also whatever intel you can provide on those.

Thank you guys.

matador43:

Good evening to you alls,

I'm considering one of this little wired buddies, maybe more as a collector than listener… Anyway.

It seems they are many models :

- Earphones (which comes in many color, seen in 2009-2010 catalog).
- Earset 3 (in the same catalog but in the Phone section, looks like to have unilateral wire).
- Earset 3i.
- A8 (which seems to be the original model, but I'm not sure). 

I'd like to know what are the differences between models, build quality, sound, features… If they're models to avoid and other to look for. And also whatever intel you can provide on those.

Tank you guys.

Dear matador43,

I try to explain the differences between the models.
First, the Earphone and Earset 3i used to be sold at the same time. The difference were colours (which was only available with the Earphones) and the remote control (which was only available with the Earset 3i). The A8 was the original name when it still had the Bang & Olufsen brand. The Earphones and Earset 3i were under the Beoplay brand. The Earset 3 was actually similar to the Earset 3i. but it still had some differences. The Earset 3 had only a button and a microphone to answer a call whereas the Earset 3i enabled us to change the volume as well. The Earset 3 was also under the Bang & Olufsen brand

I hope that clarifies and fulfils what you ask. 

Antonius Robin Iriawan:

I hope that clarifies and fulfils what you ask. 

Thank you Antonius Robin Iriawan,

Yes it helps a lot. So I understand that after A8, they're all the same more or less, with specific feature, but sound wise, the same.

What is unclear still is was there a jump in quality or craftsmanship, between A8 and earset range?

I remember but can't retrieve a topic where someone said something like: "I loved my A8, I hate earset 3".

Another digference between models was how the two wires from the earpices was joined into one wire. As I remember this junction was more Y shaped on the newer models than on the original. I will take a look if I still has both versions and post some pictures

madskp:

I will take a look if I still has both versions

That would be great, Thank you!

Also since you may have them both, if you could please tell us if they sound similar or not?

matador43:

What is unclear still is was there a jump in quality or craftsmanship, between A8 and earset range?

In terms of craftsmanship, I think they are not so different. I struggle to find the difference when you touch them.
Some say that the earset's sound quality improved compared to A8. Although, B&O claimed there was no difference in the specification  

Thanks again Antonius Robin Iriawan,

That's all I wanted to know.

All the best.

Ok here goes. From left to right the original Ear phones A8, an updated version still Bang & Olufsen branded, and the last one is the Beoplay EarSet 3i for iPods and iphone.

I think the middle one might have come with a Beosound 2 or 6 MP3 player that was later sold, as I dont seem to have a manual/guide for that pair.

Build quality and sound wise I haven’t noticed much difference. The middle pair seems a little loose in the vertical adjustment, but that might be because it was used more than the others.

As seen on the pictures the earpieces seems identilcal except for the Bang & Olufsen and B&o logos.

As mentioned in my earlier post the cable junction is different on all three pairs, the connecters was identical except for the 3i had 4 connections in the minijack as it is a headset. I have replaced the connector on that one at some point cause the wire was broken.

The 3i if course has the control buttons for volume and an universal play/pause or take call/hang up button depending on what is active on a iPhone

The original A8 was delivered with a black leather purse with Bang & Olufsen engraved, and an extension cord for usage with a TV or a music system so you could have some distance.

I didnt have the best lightning conditions for the pictures, but I hope you can see enough.

Thank you madskp, for the pictures and the detailed answer.
Do you notice differences in sound between the three?

No not noticable for me.

More noticeable is that you have to use them in a quiet environment as they do not block noise arround you because they are not in ear.

Using them in a bus I will have to push the volume to the max. Using them on an airplane... forget it, to much noise arround you

But on the positive side I have allways enjoyed how well the fit because of all the adjustment possibilities

If I remember correctly, the version with the Bang & Olufsen might also have come in a white version whereas the Beoplay versions was availeble in a variety of colors. The 3i though only in black and white.