ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hi friends,
I have been using the A8 headphones for many years, and after that the EarSet 3, and later on the EarSet 3i. My latest pair has been broken for a while and I am now using the standard iPhone-earphones (good fit but not very good sound).
I have been thinking about buying something else because of the bad service from B&O mail support. The headphones I really love design wise is the Bowers and Wilkins P5, they also sound very nice. Not perfect but good enough. A few days ago I tried a friends BeoPlay H6 and I immediately learned that they are underpowered from an iPhone. My friend had to open all songs in iTunes and turn the volume up on every song (which I think reduces dynamic sound since it is not a real volume setting).
They are also a bit plastic where the B&W P5 is completely made of leather and metall. I actually think B&O was looking at the P5 while they designed the H6 because they both use the same kind of leather, memory foam and replaceable headphone cable (the H6 has a second port however).
Also the price is about 50% and I actually like the quality of the P5 very very much.
Have anyone here tried them both and what are your opinions/suggestions? Thanks :)
Beolab 50, Beolab 8000 x 2, Beolab 4000 x 2, BeoSound Core, BeoSound 9000, BeoSound Century, BeoLit 15, BeoPlay A1, BeoPlay P2, BeoPlay H9 3rd Gen, BeoPlay H6, EarSet 3i, BeoVision Eclipse Gen 2 55", BeoPlay V1-40, BeoCom 6000 and so much else :)
Hej Michael,
Another alternative that has good sound and great build quality and feel is the Sennheiser Momentum. (over-ear or on-ear models)
I am also in the process of buying new headphones and am currently looking at B&O, B&W and Sennheiser.. Would be interesting to hear what the people here at Beoworld thinks... :)
/P
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Beovision 7-40 Mk VI, Beovision 3-32, Beovision AV9000, Beovision AV5, Beolab 8000, 6000, 5000, 3000, 2000, Beocenter 2300, 9000, Beocenter 2, DVD1, DVD2, Beogram 3300, LC2, Beolit 12, 3 x AppleTV
I have the B&W P5's. I use them with my iPhone as I travel on the train. They are fantastic. They look good and are comfortable to wear. I am very happy with the sound. I did have a problem with the volume/mic button on the cable but B&W sent a replacement without charge.
I was disappointed with the BeoPlay H6 when I tried them in-store. They sounded flat and lacking bass.
One review of the P5's claimed they sounded a bit bright. I don't find that to be that case, but then I am used to B&O's acoustic lens speakers which some claim to sound bright also.
djs
Peter: Hej Michael, Another alternative that has good sound and great build quality and feel is the Sennheiser Momentum. (over-ear or on-ear models) I am also in the process of buying new headphones and am currently looking at B&O, B&W and Sennheiser.. Would be interesting to hear what the people here at Beoworld thinks... :) /P
I saw some Sennheiser prices last week - I could not believe that there were headphones that could be THAT expensive.
One at over one thousand Kiwi dollars and another at over two thousand !
Clearly B&O has missed a pricing trick
BeoNut since '75
BeoBoy68:B&W P5 are Nice but HD25 manufactured in Europe by Sennheiser are used by many pro everyday !!
Pro DJs maybe
I think the two Sennheiser I saw in the NZ catalogue must have been these (in AU dollars)
And then there are these:
I am AMAZED that a pair of ear buds cost AU$1199.00
You would have to (a) have gold ears (mine are just tin) and (b) be able to claim them as "tools of trade" and get back 50% in tax rebates
Now wonder Sennheiser could afford this stand (behind the two Cosplay characters) at PAX AUS:
Thanks for all the answers! I feel a bit more confident about purchasing the P5´s now. I looked at the Sennheiser Momentum and I believe they might sound slightly better but I prefer the look of the P5 and I need them to be foldable.
Michael:Thanks for all the answers! I feel a bit more confident about purchasing the P5´s now.
Do we have a consensus as to which types of music the H6 do well with ?
Elephant, I agree the Sennheiser HD800 are expensive, but in my opinion there is no headphones that even comes close in sound reproduction. By far the best headphones I have ever tried.But, they are made for home or studio use. Since they are an open design, they leak a lot of music, so you would annoy all the fellow commuters on a train, bus or plane, they will hear everything you play.
Just like Michael I am looking for some discreet, preferably foldable top class headphones suitable for travelling. So far I have been very happy with Sennheiser PX200 II, value for money, good sound, but unfortunately I have given up now after returning the 3d pair because of the cable gets worn out...
So, I'll probably go for the new momentum "on-ear" that are smaller, still sound good and the cord is possible to change. Unfortunately they are not foldable but they are at least good looking hanging around the neck. I would consider the B&O H6, but they are too pricy I think compared to the sound, and a little too big for commuting.. The P3 and P5 I don't find comfortable on my ears and the P3 a little fuzzy in the treble..
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Chris Townsend:They are very nice aren't they. I ditched the H3s for some B&W C5s and don't regret it for an instance. Better quality in every way.
I ditched the H3s for some B&W C5s and don't regret it for an instance. Better quality in every way.
Absolutely! I could not stop listening yesterday. I don't have a pair of H6´s but I found their sound very dull from an iPhone and the same music with the P5´s are completely different, so detailed and well balanced.
Well, I was set to buy the H6 even though I already have a set of B&W P5 (bought them just before H6 was announced) so I went to the dealer today. Sorry to say that I won't be getting any H6. Such disappointment in comparison to the P5's!
Less bass but not too little.More treble and way too much!
Since someone here wrote that they needed more power for the same sound level I compared the P5 and H6 with my iPhone 5. Well there was quite a big difference. With all the sound in the shop I went just below the yellow marking in sound level on the iPhone. With the P5 this setting was too loud.
The build quality also felt a lot better with the P5's.The H6 were really light and didn't feel B&O quality build. But on the other hand, it should make them more comfy to wear for longer periods.
Well, too bad the sound didn't reach P5 quality, because I'm a B&O fanatic and would have bought them if they were 90% of the B&W P5. Congratulations B&W for making the P5's!
BTW, anybody wants to buy a BeoSystem 3??? ;)
I see I'll have to wait for a H6 MK2
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
I don't understand why B&O approved of the H6 actually. Since it is actually quite terrible with an iPhone (underpowered I suppose). The B&O play brand would suggest the primary use for them is an iPhone, right? It even has the mic and buttons for Apple-products.
They are marketing it quite strong on FaceBook and in other places also.
They cost 3499 SEK and I bought the P5 for 2298 SEK, with a three year warranty from the store. The one thing I do like about H6 is that you can connect another pair of headphones to them, but it is less awkward to have an adapter at the iPhone instead of being connected to someone else.
epkgael:Well, I was set to buy the H6 even though I already have a set of B&W P5 (bought them just before H6 was announced) so I went to the dealer today. Sorry to say that I won't be getting any H6. Such disappointment in comparison to the P5's! Less bass but not too little. More treble and way too much! Since someone here wrote that they needed more power for the same sound level I compared the P5 and H6 with my iPhone 5. Well there was quite a big difference. With all the sound in the shop I went just below the yellow marking in sound level on the iPhone. With the P5 this setting was too loud. The build quality also felt a lot better with the P5's. The H6 were really light and didn't feel B&O quality build. But on the other hand, it should make them more comfy to wear for longer periods. Well, too bad the sound didn't reach P5 quality, because I'm a B&O fanatic and would have bought them if they were 90% of the B&W P5. Congratulations B&W for making the P5's! BTW, anybody wants to buy a BeoSystem 3??? ;)
Agree Michael,the H6 should deliver better for iPhone since they target that group with it!
I'm still baffled and disappointed - probably because I had such high hopes :(
I will put my faith in MK2 as Millemissen :)
iPhones does not deliever enough 'power' for the H6.
This is the official suggestion for a solution of this 'problem is - in danish:
"Ændr den maksimale lydstyrkegrænse på iPhone 5.
BeoPlay H6 og BeoPlay H3 er designet til at overholde de europæiske sikkerhedsstandarder for maksimalt lydniveau.
Derfor er yderligere beskyttelse mod høreskader på musikafspilleren ikke nødvendig, når den anvendes sammen med BeoPlay H6 eller BeoPlay H3.
Hvis lydstyrken på BeoPlay H6 eller BeoPlay H3 opleves for lav, når den anvendes sammen med iPhone 5 iOS 6, anbefaler vi, at EU-lydgrænse slås fra som vist nedenfor.
Åbn Settings > Music > Volume Limit på iPhone 5, og sæt EU Volume Limit på OFF."
Which means as much as turning off the volume limit of the iPhone.
Does this solve the problem?
Should we be content with this advice?
Or should they make a more sensitive MK2 of the H6?
I heard them twice with my iPod Touch, when they came out, and was 'disappointed' with the sound level - but not with the sound!
I have no problems with my Grado headphones or with the Form2 (I have the old version) and my iPod Touch.
But how are the H6 with the headphone-out of a Beomaster?
This is interesting for me, because that would be my main use of them.
Greetings Millemissen
Millemissen: iPhones does not deliever enough 'power' for the H6. This is the official suggestion for a solution of this 'problem is - in danish: "Ændr den maksimale lydstyrkegrænse på iPhone 5. BeoPlay H6 og BeoPlay H3 er designet til at overholde de europæiske sikkerhedsstandarder for maksimalt lydniveau. Derfor er yderligere beskyttelse mod høreskader på musikafspilleren ikke nødvendig, når den anvendes sammen med BeoPlay H6 eller BeoPlay H3. Hvis lydstyrken på BeoPlay H6 eller BeoPlay H3 opleves for lav, når den anvendes sammen med iPhone 5 iOS 6, anbefaler vi, at EU-lydgrænse slås fra som vist nedenfor. Åbn Settings > Music > Volume Limit på iPhone 5, og sæt EU Volume Limit på OFF." Which means as much as turning off the volume limit of the iPhone. Does this solve the problem? Should we be content with this advice? Or should they make a more sensitive MK2 of the H6? I heard them twice with my iPod Touch, when they came out, and was 'disappointed' with the sound level - but not with the sound! I have no problems with my Grado headphones or with the Form2 (I have the old version) and my iPod Touch. But how are the H6 with the headphone-out of a Beomaster? This is interesting for me, because that would be my main use of them. Greetings Millemissen
No, this does not help. My IPhone was already set to EU Volume Limit Off. Still very low volume. Just the fact that they have that answer means that people are noticing the lower volume on the H6 (and possibly H3 also).
Please leave the H3s out of this. They are as efficient as the A8s (or nearly so to my ears). I can only guess that the H3s are included in this note because they too are impacted by the EU nanny rules.
Stan
Stan: Please leave the H3s out of this. They are as efficient as the A8s (or nearly so to my ears). I can only guess that the H3s are included in this note because they too are impacted by the EU nanny rules. Stan
Of course.
Stan:Please leave the H3s out of this. They are as efficient as the A8s (or nearly so to my ears). I can only guess that the H3s are included in this note because they too are impacted by the EU nanny rules. Stan
http://journal.beoplay.com/index.php/2013/07/love-of-music-johannes-torpe/
I wonder if he hasn't noticed how 'weak' the H6 sounds on the iPhone/iDevice?
Or was he wearing the H6 just for the picture on the Play blog site?
elephant: BeoBoy68:B&W P5 are Nice but HD25 manufactured in Europe by Sennheiser are used by many pro everyday !! Pro DJs maybe I think the two Sennheiser I saw in the NZ catalogue must have been these (in AU dollars) HD800 Price: $1699.00 HD700 Price: $1199.00 And then there are these: IE800 Price: $1199.00 I am AMAZED that a pair of ear buds cost AU$1199.00 You would have to (a) have gold ears (mine are just tin) and (b) be able to claim them as "tools of trade" and get back 50% in tax rebates Now wonder Sennheiser could afford this stand (behind the two Cosplay characters) at PAX AUS:
Yeah it's sad that B&O isn't capitalizing on the trend to overcharge headphones. I mean it is one of the relatively few items you can overcharge but still remain affordable. I have actually ran through quite a number of pairs of high-priced headphones myself. They are surprisingly easy to misplace !
It's almost a status symbol now to own chic earbuds so what the hell is the CEO thinking?!!!!
FYI. I commented about this social phenomena way before the launch of the new line of headphones.
Emerging lifestyle products are the best way to price yourself out of competition ! ie. Sound docks, computer sound monitors, earphones, sound bar...
Isn't B&O suppose to be a lifestyle brand that overcharges?! Then behave like one! Overcharging doesn't = underperforming
Off at present so after a meeting I had to go to, went to the Newcastle store to look at the H6s. I do like the natural coloured versions - had a very quick compare to the Sennheiser HD600s I have whilst using my FiiO E01 amplifier - this allows a good volume from my iPod through both headphones. I thought they sounded pretty good - not quite as detailed as the HD600 on the very short listen. I confess to not liking the very closed feeling one gets with them - I prefer semi-open designs - and the top band was harder and less comfortable than the very comfortable HD600s. However they are still the most comfortable headphones B&O have ever made! The leather was extremely soft - I do wonder if slightly less compliant foam would have been more to my liking. Decided against purchase - I also have Grado RS1s - but can see the attraction. I would however suggest listening to HD600s as well - I got mine for under £200 - seem to be going for about £300 at present. Very detailed and well balanced - I would recommend the FiiO amplifier if used with a phone or iPod. Doesn't like poor quality files - I use AAC at 320 and that seems fine to me.
Newcastle are a very friendly and welcoming bunch - lovely shop, a little out of the way but set in Chinatown so a good lunch available! Also a good number of Japanese restaurants which are excellent. We go to Fujiyama which is a teppan-yaki restaurant so very lively!
Peter
wonderfulelectric:Yeah it's sad that B&O isn't capitalizing on the trend to overcharge headphones...what the hell is the CEO thinking?!!!! FYI. I commented about this social phenomena way before the launch of the new line of headphones. Isn't B&O suppose to be a lifestyle brand that overcharges?! Then behave like one! Overcharging doesn't = underperforming
Peter: Newcastle are a very friendly and welcoming bunch
Thanks Peter - for reminding me that I MUST bring my FiiO E1 with me next time I visit a store to test the H6 (again)
Peter: I would however suggest listening to HD600s as well - I got mine for under £200 - seem to be going for about £300 at present.
I would however suggest listening to HD600s as well - I got mine for under £200 - seem to be going for about £300 at present.
Evening from Laze n rot!! One of my first ever Beoworld posts was to point to an incredible price for the HD600's - I can't remember whether it was £129 or £135? .. anyhoo a complete bargain at the time!!
Ban boring signatures!
Exactly where I got mine!! I think of you each time I use them! Well sometimes anyway!
Peter: Exactly where I got mine!! I think of you each time I use them! Well sometimes anyway!
I'm touched (not in the mental or smutty sense, obviously)!!
Puncher: I'm touched (not in the mental or smutty sense, obviously)!!
Might be an opener for the Wedthred..... 😀😀😀😀
Thanks to another Beoworlder I now know where smileys exist on the iPad, but they are not as good as the Beoworld smileys 😪
Graham
vikinger:but they are not as good as the Beoworld smileys 😪
Have to agree there
--mika
..It's a tough market to compete on.
It's great to see there are a few non-plastic options on the market for us who wants high quality look and feel as well as good sound.
In comparison to B&O H6 at 3 499 SEK and the B&W P5 for 2 298 SEK, I bought the Sennheiser Momentum on-ear for 1 690 SEK. Not foldable like the P5 which is practical for commuting, but I would say the quality look and feel is well on par with both and sound wise I think they are far better.. IMHO..