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H3 or H5 ?

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BeoGreg
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BeoGreg Posted: Fri, Dec 16 2016 9:34 AM

My original A8 earphones (bought with Beosound 2 a long long time ago) are dying, the cords are getting very hard.

My kids have Form 2 for the piano and I have H6 when everyone wants a quiet home.

So I may soon need a pair of light earphones.

It seems that wireless is a good idea but it needs to be fed with energy and my earphones spend a lot of time unused.

Each time I take them (once a week) I don't want to get mad because the batteries are flat.

So it seems that a good old cord is also a good idea.

Soundwise what do you think ? Are H3 better then H5 or vice versa ?

I won't go bmxing with them (too dangerous not to ear the surroundings) or to the gym/surfing.

 

 

 

tph
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tph replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 10:18 AM

I haven't listened to the H5 so I can't compare, but I do like my H3s a lot. At least for me I find the noise isolation is not that strong with them, so they might be better suited for those activities than you'd think. I wear them almost all the time when I'm walking around in the city and haven't found it difficult to stay aware of my surroundings. Maybe the Comply tips that come with the H5 have better isolation.

— Tuomas | Bang & Olufsen | Bang & Olufsen Create

leosgonewild
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I've had both. For your use I would go for H3. Haven't tried the H3 with noise-cancelation.

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

TWG
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TWG replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 11:12 AM

Go for the regular H3 without noise cancellation.

BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 11:53 AM
Thanks for your replies guys, H3 all the way then.

Will make the last decision in the shop if I get the opportunity to see both in real life (grey or black H3 vs black H5) but I bet it would be the 3's.

Darling ? I know what your getting me for Christmas (and it's only 149 € that time)...
leosgonewild
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You get them really cheap on eBay these days.

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 12:22 PM
Of course Leo, but I can't do that to my trusty dealer can I ?
oli
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oli replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 12:22 PM

I have the H3 ANC, you can of course use it without ANC if you want, but the ANC is very very efficient. At least I am using it in train and plane on a regular basis, the ANC is frankly amazing ! Now it became just mandatory for me so if the H5 is pushed out one day with ANC I could go for it, but it is the prerequisite.

Regarding the battery consumed by the ANC activated, it lasts more than the 20 hours promised before to put it in charge. Basically I use them twice a week in the train from Toulon to Paris, around 4 hours each travel, I put the H3 ANC in charge once a month average.

Like you they replaced my A8 bought 15 years ago or so (still in very good condition), I am still using them sometimes for conf call or bluejeans sessions from my mac, but the H3 si something totally different in term of sound, much better for music, a great improvement, definitively deeper in bass without being too boomy, what was a bit missing on the A8 to my ears.

leosgonewild
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True.

Come to think about it, I know remember the excellent customer service I always get from my local dealer.

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 1:19 PM
Very interesting Oli about the ANC.

My first choice would be without because I want to go the easy way.

If I see a pair of H3 in the TGV (high speed train Train Grande Vitesse) to Paris I will know who is the owner !
Duels
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Duels replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 1:35 PM
BeoGreg:

Soundwise what do you think ? Are H3 better then H5?

Yes. Much better.

I have both and having used just the H5s for a few months tried the H3s again. I'd forgotten just how good they were. The bass is stronger and clearer and I think you lose a lot through Bluetooth.

The H5s are fine and good for cable free sound at the gym. Just not as good sound wise.
beotex
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beotex replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 3:44 PM
I replaced my A8's with the H3 ANC and was surprised at how great they sound. The ANC is great for plane travel and noisy areas.

I also picked up the H5's because I got the iPhone 7. The dongle and ANC "pod" were cumbersome for quick usage or to take a call on the go.

It's going to depend on usage. The H5's are easy to carry and use but need to be charged regularly. The H3's are a little better sounding and don't have to be charged, but you have a cable (and in my case a dongle and the ANC pod to contend with).

Get both like I did Smile
Stan
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Stan replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 5:02 PM

I have both the H3 and the H3 ANC.  They both sound great and, IMHO, are an improvement over the A8 (had A8s for many years).  For me, the noise cancellation on the ANC works great for steady background noise, like trains and planes.  I don't believe that it works too well in other situations (city noises, loud talkers).

The H3s, on the other hand, are so light they almost are not there.  However, they do not work well on planes or trains (which is why I bought the H3 ANCs - actually, I first bought H8s, but decided I preferred earbuds most of the time; hence the H3 ANCs).

Both are extremely comfortable (for me - it seems like a couple people have complained that they cannot get them to fit their ears).  I also like that I can wear them in bed and lay on my side comfortably.

The one small downside to the H3 ANC is that the cords are a bit heavier which, after a time, makes them start to fall out of my ears so I have to push them in more frequently, and this is just while sitting on a plane or train.  I imagine this would be worse while walking around - but I don't normally walk around with them on so I don't know for sure.  The battery/electronics module is a little cumbersome, but definitely worth it if you need the ANC.

My advice would be the H3...  buy the ANC if you plan to listen on planes/trains.  Otherwise, the H3s are really nice, and aside from the very light cord, it's almost like they are not there.

Stan

BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Fri, Dec 16 2016 6:20 PM
A big success for the H3's.

Great feedback. Thanks.
BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Tue, Dec 20 2016 3:42 PM
Went to the shop and they have no H3 in stock (and even thought they've been replaced by H5).

They could be here on the 30th which is too late for Christmas or Hanouka !

So I told I would make an order on Beoplay.com and I did.

Wait and see.
BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Mon, Dec 26 2016 8:20 AM
Freshly arrived this morning.

Now have to wait for Hannouka party on the 28th to wear them...

Chris
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Chris replied on Mon, Dec 26 2016 3:19 PM

Wow, congrats, Lets have a Party !!! what a nice Santa present to you.

In the background I notice one of the best goods B&O ever manufactured.

Wishing they never stopped producing these Idea ... One of the most useful, convenient toys in my home.

"Believe nothing you read and only half of what you see, let your ears tell you the truth."

BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Mon, Dec 26 2016 7:01 PM
Yes Chris, I hope my LC2 will last forever and even more.

The family use it everyday with or without Beo4.
BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Fri, Dec 30 2016 10:09 AM
Old A8 vs new H3.

I'm not used to the H3 yet. They are too boomy for me, make me a headache.

I like the clear sound of the A8.

At low level they are great thought much more detailed sound.

Chris
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BeoGreg:
I'm not used to the H3 yet. They are too boomy for me, make me a headache.

No comment Sad

 

"Believe nothing you read and only half of what you see, let your ears tell you the truth."

tph
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tph replied on Fri, Dec 30 2016 3:34 PM

They ship the H3s with that kind of soft pouch now instead of the hard case?

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Guy
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Guy replied on Fri, Dec 30 2016 4:23 PM

I just bought some H3 Mk2s from Amazon.de. (bargain at €99)  Sadly they did indeed come with the soft pouch.

BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Fri, Dec 30 2016 4:28 PM
Yes, no hard case. Must have been for the MK1 model.
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