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
mbee: @1990 put the wrong list of characteristics on the first post : this list comes from his second link which was the launch article about the H9i when it replaced the H9. so AptX, 1,25m cable, etc was features from the H9i
@1990 put the wrong list of characteristics on the first post : this list comes from his second link which was the launch article about the H9i when it replaced the H9.
so AptX, 1,25m cable, etc was features from the H9i
I don’t think it’s a wrong list. The second link was posted May 16, 2019 and was named:
poodleboy: This portion of the thread was telling for me so I went through the main web site for each page. I think it might be challenging for a newbie to understand the brand from it's seemingly random layout.
This portion of the thread was telling for me so I went through the main web site for each page. I think it might be challenging for a newbie to understand the brand from it's seemingly random layout.
Well, the irony is if you're a newbie looking around and you searched for 'Bang & Olufsen H9 in black' on Google, which let's be honest most people do to look for discounts, you'd find something like this: http://www.beoshop.co.uk/overearheadphones/headphones/beoplayh9
And naturally you'd not know this was the original H9!
moxxey: poodleboy: This portion of the thread was telling for me so I went through the main web site for each page. I think it might be challenging for a newbie to understand the brand from it's seemingly random layout. Well, the irony is if you're a newbie looking around and you searched for 'Bang & Olufsen H9 in black' on Google, which let's be honest most people do to look for discounts, you'd find something like this: http://www.beoshop.co.uk/overearheadphones/headphones/beoplayh9 And naturally you'd not know this was the original H9!
Good point. Even thought main site has bigger purpose, Irony II is that beoshop web site is better layout for people looking to buy, discount or not. "We are here to shift stuff". http://www.beoshop.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home
Ok, that makes a huge difference. Who would want to buy one that you cannot replace the batteries? I would think the useful life of the headphones would exceed the life of the batteries. The question now is will the batteries still be available when needed in several years?
Dom
2x BeoSystem 3, BeoSystem 5000, BeoSystem 6500, 2x BeoMaster 7000, 2 pair of BeoLab Penta mk2, AV 7000, Beolab 4000, BeoSound 4000, Playmaker, BeoLab 2500, S-45, S-45.2, RL-140, CX-50, C-75, 3x CX-100, 3x MCL2 link rooms, 3x Beolab 2000, M3, P2, Earset, A8 earphones, A3, 2x 4001 relay, H3, H3 ANC, H6, 2014 Audi S5 with B&O sound, and ambio
AnalogPlanet: ...and btw, aptx means nothing to iPhone people, only to Android folks. Just fyi.
...and btw, aptx means nothing to iPhone people, only to Android folks. Just fyi.
That's interesting and thank you for that info - I get that aptx is a higher bitrate for bluetooth wireless connectivity, but am unsure how that benefits Android OS phones and not IOS phones. I assume apple doesn't support it, and hence its plain vanilla Bluetooh 4.2 for them?
On the other hand, I would also assume that as you can use an cable if the power of the battery runs out, that plugging a cable in (with the battery charged and bluetooth switched off on your iDevice or H9 which I also assume is possible), would essentially mean that all audio is transmitted by the cable and not bluetooth, hence giving higher audio quality anyway than either Bluetooth 4.2 or aptx which use significant compression algorithms to keep bandwidth down and transmission distance longer.
Of course if you're listening to streaming music over the internet at say 256 AAC as per apple music, one may not hear much to an advantage, but as I have an iPhone 7 plus full of Classical and Jazz recorded in ALAC, I would hope using an audio cable rather than bluetooth for static listening, would provide an audible advantage - at least in theory.
Having recently purchased a pair of B&O E8 2.0's with which I'm very happy (apart from some yet to be resolved hassles as with all in-ears re getting the perfect ear tip seal) I have been interested in a pair of H9/9i's for some time - usually when an update has been released is the best time to buy to get the latest specs and features etc.
So I may well dive in and add a pair to my modest collection - initial reports sound very positive.
Thanks again for your info - much appreciated
Cheers
John
John: AnalogPlanet: ...and btw, aptx means nothing to iPhone people, only to Android folks. Just fyi. That's interesting and thank you for that info - I get that aptx is a higher bitrate for bluetooth wireless connectivity, but am unsure how that benefits Android OS phones and not IOS phones. I assume apple doesn't support it, and hence its plain vanilla Bluetooh 4.2 for them? On the other hand, I would also assume that as you can use an cable if the power of the battery runs out, that plugging a cable in (with the battery charged and bluetooth switched off on your iDevice or H9 which I also assume is possible), would essentially mean that all audio is transmitted by the cable and not bluetooth, hence giving higher audio quality anyway than either Bluetooth 4.2 or aptx which use significant compression algorithms to keep bandwidth down and transmission distance longer. Of course if you're listening to streaming music over the internet at say 256 AAC as per apple music, one may not hear much to an advantage, but as I have an iPhone 7 plus full of Classical and Jazz recorded in ALAC, I would hope using an audio cable rather than bluetooth for static listening, would provide an audible advantage - at least in theory. Having recently purchased a pair of B&O E8 2.0's with which I'm very happy (apart from some yet to be resolved hassles as with all in-ears re getting the perfect ear tip seal) I have been interested in a pair of H9/9i's for some time - usually when an update has been released is the best time to buy to get the latest specs and features etc. So I may well dive in and add a pair to my modest collection - initial reports sound very positive. Thanks again for your info - much appreciated Cheers John
In that case - when you already have a set of bt earphones - why not use these for convenience and buy a set of pure cabled over the ears like the H6 for more concentrated listening?
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Millemissen: In that case - when you already have a set of bt earphones - why not use these for convenience and buy a set of pure cabled over the ears like the H6 for more concentrated listening? MM
As I understand it, the H6's are no longer available new.
Versatility favours the H9 with the addition of ANC - a boon for use in any noisy indoor/outdoor situation, provided you have a backpack or the like to carry them. I would think they would better the E8 2.0 on audio quality, whilst of course being no where near as convenient to carry from a portability POV.
But for serious, at home static listening - yes a cabled pair of headphones would be the way to go - my favourite from what I've heard without spending ridiculous money would be Sennheiser HD800's. I've listened to the 800's and the 'improved' 800S, but for classical music and jazz would personally pick the 800's over the later 's' variant which I felt better suited to rock and pop music in it's tonal balance.
But they have no ANC, and are not the sort of headphone in style and cost I would want to take out of the house - hence the E8's and H9's.
Cheers :-)
Jon: I was thinking that earlier. Why are these the H9 (3rd gen) (same as H6 (2nd gen)), but the H9i were called the H9i, and the new E8 aren't E8 (2nd gen)??
I was thinking that earlier. Why are these the H9 (3rd gen) (same as H6 (2nd gen)), but the H9i were called the H9i, and the new E8 aren't E8 (2nd gen)??
This is funny. I noticed B&O promoted the new H9 MK3 on Facebook and there were comments from people asking how they tell the difference between a H9 and H9 MK3 - it's a very valid point.
I pointed them to this forum discussion!
Thanks for this precious information. Together with the review on YouTube from the Manchester store (https://youtu.be/My9fYbOZsho) there are now two sources that confirm ANC and audio improvement although it isn't mentioned on any official communications. Only battery, comfort, controls and voice assistant buttons.
One question though, besides having less impact one sound quality, is the efficiency of ANC improved? It was pointed was a weak point comparing to the competition and if it it's really improved those are great news that I don't understand why isn't the brand also advertising as improvement.
DMacri: Ok, that makes a huge difference. Who would want to buy one that you cannot replace the batteries? I would think the useful life of the headphones would exceed the life of the batteries. The question now is will the batteries still be available when needed in several years?
The same applies to the original H7/H9/H9i with a user replaceable battery? It is only useful as a feature whilst the supply of batteries are readily available.
tmgp: Thanks for this precious information. Together with the review on YouTube from the Manchester store (https://youtu.be/My9fYbOZsho) there are now two sources that confirm ANC and audio improvement although it isn't mentioned on any official communications. Only battery, comfort, controls and voice assistant buttons. One question though, besides having less impact one sound quality, is the efficiency of ANC improved? It was pointed was a weak point comparing to the competition and if it it's really improved those are great news that I don't understand why isn't the brand also advertising as improvement.
I suspect the reason for this probably has more to do with what I suspect has happened here - it isn't so much of an out and out improvement as they've finally been able to fix the known flaws with the H9i (sibilance with ANC, and the odd missing portion of the frequency range) via a hardware update. Like I said earlier, I feel the Gen 3 is really what the H9i should have been in the first place.
moxxey: Jon: I was thinking that earlier. Why are these the H9 (3rd gen) (same as H6 (2nd gen)), but the H9i were called the H9i, and the new E8 aren't E8 (2nd gen)?? This is funny. I noticed B&O promoted the new H9 MK3 on Facebook and there were comments from people asking how they tell the difference between a H9 and H9 MK3 - it's a very valid point. I pointed them to this forum discussion!
I don't have so much of an issue with the naming convention - although the H9i was clearly a misstep. It seems they're now more closely following the Apple model here where typically (mostly Mac) product revisions retain the same core product name, but have the version or year appended.
That said it is pretty confusing when they're still continuing to market the H9i special editions - the real mistake though was probably even bothering with those special editions when the Gen 3 was so close to launch. If I'd recently bought a pair of these I'd be more than a little annoyed.
Maybe it has to do with garethr mentioned earlier. Since the ANC was not leveled with the competition, they propably don't want to upset current H9i owners, or to have the H9 model associated to a "not so good launch".
Because it's also strange that one of the key selling points, the ANC, isn't mentioned has an improvement, and those that compared H9i and H9 3rd gen have proven that the ANC was in fact improved.
garethr: I don't have so much of an issue with the naming convention - although the H9i was clearly a misstep. It seems they're now more closely following the Apple model here where typically (mostly Mac) product revisions retain the same core product name, but have the version or year appended. That said it is pretty confusing when they're still continuing to market the H9i special editions - the real mistake though was probably even bothering with those special editions when the Gen 3 was so close to launch. If I'd recently bought a pair of these I'd be more than a little annoyed.
That's not even the case though, generational names for current Beoplay products released in the last few months alone are a mess:
3rd generation H9 branded as: "H9 (3rd gen)"
3rd and 4th generation A9 branded as: "A9 MK3" + "A9 MK4"
2nd generation E8 branded as: "E8 2.0"
I've no issue with any of the conventions, but at least be consistent and pick one. We might not be confused by it because we're actively interested in the brand and its products, but the average consumer who doesn't give a crap and just wants headphones might be confused by it all.
...agree, I guess it shows these 3 products are e2e developed and marketed by 3 different teams of people. Otherwise it is really hard to explain that naming.
Jon: garethr: I don't have so much of an issue with the naming convention - although the H9i was clearly a misstep. It seems they're now more closely following the Apple model here where typically (mostly Mac) product revisions retain the same core product name, but have the version or year appended. That said it is pretty confusing when they're still continuing to market the H9i special editions - the real mistake though was probably even bothering with those special editions when the Gen 3 was so close to launch. If I'd recently bought a pair of these I'd be more than a little annoyed. That's not even the case though, generational names for current Beoplay products released in the last few months alone are a mess: 3rd generation H9 branded as: "H9 (3rd gen)" 3rd and 4th generation A9 branded as: "A9 MK3" + "A9 MK4" 2nd generation E8 branded as: "E8 2.0" I've no issue with any of the conventions, but at least be consistent and pick one. We might not be confused by it because we're actively interested in the brand and its products, but the average consumer who doesn't give a crap and just wants headphones might be confused by it all.
I'm confused and i am heavily interested in the brand. I came here to confirm what i suspected was right, but its not clear enough. KISS principle should apply. Keep it simple stupid!
This is going to be a nightmare for stores and the customers they are dealing with! Plenty of stores cant move the original H9!
New firmware out for the H9 Gen 3. 5.0.1 - changes listed as just fixes.
I had the H9i for a while and I use it for a lot of podcasts and audiobooks, as well as music, but I got really distracted by the hiss from the ANC. Is the hiss reduced when ANC is active in the H9 Mk3 or is it like the H9i´s?
I’d say the hiss is reduced. The 3rd Gen feels like a genuine upgrade.
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
Just got mine today and on the plus side, they quickly turn on, there is no bluetooth noise when you turn them off and they has a much better battery life. They have much more base and It's not uncontrolled in anyway, the bass is just more in focus, especially the higher bass frequencies :/ But they really lack a lot of treble, especially if you are coming from a pair of H9i where every detail in that area is so overwhelming. Personally, I think they have got a more stable and clean frequency response in the area, as according to this link H9i https://www.rtings.com/headphones/1-2/graph#813/2050 might seem to have some problems with, which also can be the the reason to way the sound was so sharp in some songs.
Is it just me or do they sound very if not extremely thin in the treble area compared to the old H9i, that with some songs could be a little too much and even with a little sibilants on higher volume?
leosgonewild:I went to listen to these today. 21 seconds was all I needed (what song I should not have to mention). The sibiliance issue is still there. It is slightly reduced in one way, but worse in another way. It has basically just changed.
I miss a bit my old H9i. Although the treble on them was not particularly flat, they were insanely detailed and open in there sound signatur, the bass was tight and controlled <3 I just miss them.