[fonefan]

Fairly certain it’s developed in house and they’ve been super responsive to feedback and beta testing through the Beoworld forums.

Agreed on the response times, although I've had replies from 4 different people relating to the same issue, so not sure what's going on there. Gabrielle, Norma, Vincent and Jeffrey. A big call centre with a shared incident queue, perhaps.

I'm not so sure on the in-house software development. The B&O I've known from 30 years ago to present certainly wouldn't let buggy software anywhere near customers. The old Beolink PC system that hooked up to your PC's music library, and streamed it to the speakers via a Besound 3000/9000 worked flawlessly. Simpler tech, granted, but it had a robust feel to it that can only result from extensive testing. The bluetooth and app age is just riddled with flakiness and rushed development.

 

[garethr]

Is anyone else getting this issue after installing version 2.10 of the B&O app (released 4 days ago) on their iPhone? Android people, do you get this as well?

The correct icon for the H9 has gone and won't come back regardless of what I try! I have reported it to B&O.

In other news, this version of the app massively stabilises the bluetooth connection when paired to 2 devices whilst using the app.

There is a new version of the app now available in TestFlight which fixes this.

Release notes are:
Fixed connection to BL50+90
Fixed missing image for H9

 

[matteventu]

It's quite difficult to find good comparisons between the H9i and H9v3.

Could someone confirm that THE only differences are:

• Better batterylife
• aptX codec

And thats it? I mainly use iPhone or iPad as a source, so the aptX does not make any difference, right? Other than that they are identical? I would go for the H9i for 293 Euro insead of H9v3 for 450 Euro..

Differences between H9i and H9v3:

H9v3 pros:
- bigger battery hence longer battery life
- dedicated Google Assistant button on the left earcup
- aptX and aptX Low Latency codecs
- headband has a tad more padding (worse to look at though, it's not symmetrical anymore)
Cons:
- battery is not replaceable
- ear cushions are slightly smaller
- not available in the stunning and iconic "natural" colour

H9i pros:
- battery is replaceable
- they have a proximity sensor that automatically pauses/plays the music as you wear them or take them off your head (criticised by many people, and that's probably why it's been removed in the H9v3)
- extremely cheaper than H9v3
- they're available in the stunning "natural" colour
Cons:
- shorter battery life
- only SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX or aptX Low Latency
- slightly worse sound according to comparisons

I purchased the H9v3 because I liked the sound more than the competitors and because they have aptX Low Latency that's a requirement for the use I make of them (in addition to music, film watching from the projector and with the audio coming from my laptop that has aptX Low Latency drivers).

If you try the H9i and you like the sound, and you don't care about advanced codecs, purchase the H9i.

I picked up a set of H9 Gen 3s on Friday. I immediately got onto B&O about a nasty glitch with the app when the H9 is paired to two devices and they've fixed that already (new version of the app rolled out Monday) which is great.

I also asked them about the possibility of a proper EQ and different sizes of ear cushions, seeing as they are detachable. Hopefully these will follow in due course.

I compared the H9 in store (with my own music) to the Sony WH-1000XM3, Bose QC35ii, Bose 700, B&W PX, Sennheiser Momentum 3, H9i and Audio Technica ANC-900BT.

They all have great ANC in the context of reducing customer chatter and A/C noises in store, but as mine are for home use only, I can't comment on planes, trains and automobiles.

In terms of sound quality, all of them apart from the H9 gave me an initial "They might grow on me......" feeling. The H9 sucked me in immediately. To quote Robert Dinero from the film 'Ronin': "If there is any doubt, there is no doubt".

H9 Gen 3 vs H9i was an interesting comparison. H9i has a lot of sibilance in the treble, which can be harsh at times. B&O have dialled that right back for the H9. They've also added a bass port in the H9 gen 3, so the bass sounds richer, tighter and deeper.

In terms of the others, I won't say too much as SQ is too subjective but my own opinions are:

Sony - Distorted easily compared to the others. Withdrawn soundstage. Subdued mids. Not in the least bit 'exciting' to listen to.
Both Bose - Clean,clear and open sound. Pretty good sounding objectively, but not enough weight in the bass for me. Treble rolls off early too.
B&W - Pretty good sound but again, not enough foot tapping excitement in the mids.
Audio Technica - A little light on bass but otherwise a really nice sound. Second to the H9 imo.
Sennheiser - I really wanted to love these but sounded a bit thin and brittle when pushed.
H9i - Chunky and funky sound but too sharp in the treble.
H9 - As above but better treble and the bass hits a little harder lower down.

The H9 is the kind of headphone you take off to check you haven't left the home cinema speakers running, they're that bassy and BIG sounding.

In terms of comfort, the Bose QC35s win hands down. The B&Ws the least comfortable, and the heaviest, and the ugliest.

In terms of build quality and styling, H9 all day long. Sony felt and looked the cheapest, like some kind of generic gamer headset.

Swipe control behaviour, the H9 can take 1st place for that as well.

My only complaint is they are 'on ear' and not 'over ear' as marketed, so there are comfort issues after a few hours, hence my request with B&O for larger interchangeable ear cushions.

In terms of volume, the H9 goes very loud with my Apple TV 4K and Mac Mini. Not so much from my iPhone 8 but that's phones for you. They are all garbage when it comes to audio.

Battery life is good on the H9. 25 Hours with ANC on but in reality I get closer to 30. The battery isn't replaceable like it is in the H9i, but it's a bigger battery to help compensate for that feature drop.

That's pretty much it. They are excellent headphones. Worth £450? Objectively no, of course not, but it's B&O we're talking about! In comparison to the others, then definitely!

Seems like we have similar tastes in sound signature

A question: did you try the "commute" sound setting in the app? How would you describe how it changes the sound compared to the default setting?

Is anyone else getting this issue after installing version 2.10 of the B&O app (released 4 days ago) on their iPhone? Android people, do you get this as well?

The correct icon for the H9 has gone and won't come back regardless of what I try! I have reported it to B&O.

In other news, this version of the app massively stabilises the bluetooth connection when paired to 2 devices whilst using the app.

I had that issue! It literally solved itself a couple of days ago.
I'm happy anyway that they now resolved the issue of the "offset" "ball" in the custom sound profiles.

B&O is the worst tech company on the planet for Software. Their staff should have been fired years ago. QA is non existent there, and if it were not for their awesome designed products (which I stopped buying with the H9i) the company would fail.
Software and UI is key today, and they don't get it or seem to even care to try

Trust me, B&O is not even that bad from that point of view lol there are other companies with much more $$ that have much worse apps. B&O app is very user friendly and has a very good design. They could improve the functionality, but for what it has, it's almost perfect.

Fairly certain it’s developed in house and they’ve been super responsive to feedback and beta testing through the Beoworld forums.

It is indeed developed in house

 

[Cyrfer]

After reading about the H9 3rd Gen I also bought them to compare them to my trusted H9i's.

I am not an audiophile and I am exclusively listening to techno and old school house from my IPhone X via Spotify Premium or Soundcloud Go (high bit rate). So only AAC is relevant for me.
Compared them with ANC on, Spotify Premium, no burn in and both newest firmware.

- H9 have better bass, its stronger and tighter without any tonetouch settings. It also sounds more differentiated. At the same time its not rumbling or too heavy.
- H9 are less bright which actually makes for a more enjoyable listening experience and less listening fatigue than the H9i's (although with tonetouch, I never had listening fatigue even playing 10 hours or more very high energy techno sets)
- H9 just sound better and more complete in general on optimal settings than the H9i' s with different tonetouch adjustements
- H9 headband is slightly more comfortable than H9i's. Maybe this will be even more pronounced after a break in period.
- H9 ANC is definitely better. I played some plane cabin noise through my monitors at home and compared the H9 vs the H9i without any music on. I can turn up the volume of the cabin noises higher with the H9 compared to the H9i without hearing anything.*
- H9 turning ANC on affects sound quality less adversely than doing the same on the H9i's
- H9 noise floor with ANC on is lower
- H9 have voice assistant button (such an incredible feature /s)

So far everything sounds great, right?
Well, not really. B&O changed the interior diameter of the cushions and design of their lock mechanism, meaning you can NOT use the H7 or H9 first gen cushions on the H9 3rd Gen. However, you can use those for the H9i's.
Why is that important?
While the H9 3rd Gen cushions are less shallow than the H9i ever so slightly, they are still shallower than the H9 first gen/H7s by a few mm. The H9 3rd Gen are right in between the very shallow H9i and the least shallow H7/H9 first Gen.
Why is that a problem?
Due to the driver design of the H9i and H9 3rd Gen, the shallower design of their cushions makes extended wear (several hours) uncomfortable for me if not a very specific position. By using the H7/H9 first gen cushion I don't have that issue even after several hours.

Hence, while the H9 3rd Gen is definitely the superior headphone, I will be sending the H9 3rd gen back. After all, having amazing sound doesn't do anything for me if I cannot enjoy it due to comfort-issues. Also, the H9i's with tone touch adjustments are still amazing headphones, offer proximity sensor over the H9 (which for me works flawlessly) and have changeable batteries.

Nevertheless, I am annoyed that B&O changed the locking mechanism design. Seems like additional work and waste of resources to prevent customers from having the best possible experience by using better and more comfy cushions. I would be fine with B&O offering different cushion sets for the H9 3rd Gen, but they don't. The only reason I could think of is better seal and better ANC performance with the less shallow cushions.


I attached two pictures. One is showing the cushion shallowness comparison between H9i (left, most shallow), H9 3rd Gen (middle, slightly less shallow), and H9/H7 (right, least shallow). Second are my tonetouch settings for the H9i's which for me are the most enjoyable and closest to the H9 3rd Gens. https://imgur.com/a/jyx92uW (For some reason I cannot embed the picture)

*P.S.: Interestingly my Airpods Pro's ANC (no music played) performed better than both the H9's 3rd Gen and H9i's against this sound

 

[fonefan]

I felt the same way about my H9s initially, but they've become considerably more comfortable over time. I store them on a manakin head, which may or may not make a difference, I'm not sure but they've softened up nicely.

I've already asked B&O if they could look into different size ear cushions going forward, but I doubt it will happen unless rival brands start doing it. I don't know why this isn't a thing already, even as a paid option, because ears aren't generic. Headphones sold as over ear can't really be called so if they sit ON your ears!

How are the Airpods pro for bass? Obviously they won't compare to headphones but the previous 2 generations of airpod sounded absolutely terrible.

 

[Cyrfer]

I felt the same way about my H9s initially, but they've become considerably more comfortable over time. I store them on a manakin head, which may or may not make a difference, I'm not sure but they've softened up nicely.

You are talking about the headband or the cushions?
Because I am having less issues with the headband (it's not perfect, but it's already more comfy than my H9i's), but more with the fact that part of my right ear touches part of the driver due to the reduced shallowness of the cushion compared H7/H9. Or did you have the same issue and get used to that?

Still a bit on the fence, because the H9 actually sounds quite a bit better.

I've already asked B&O if they could look into different size ear cushions going forward, but I doubt it will happen unless rival brands start doing it. I don't know why this isn't a thing already, even as a paid option, because ears aren't generic. Headphones sold as over ear can't really be called so if they sit ON your ears!

We seem to have very different ears, because my ears actually fin inside the cushions and are completely encapsulated by them.

How are the Airpods pro for bass? Obviously they won't compare to headphones but the previous 2 generations of airpod sounded absolutely terrible

Let me put it like this. I had the Beoplay E8 before, used them with comply comfort and used the tonetouch settings to make them less trebbly and more bassy. I really liked those and I think the Airpods Pro are doing just fine in comparison.
Also if you are like me and all provided tips with you can adjust the sound by changing tips. I.e. going from medium to large you get more bass and less treble.
I don't use the APPs for critical listening, but rather commuting by bike and public transport in a big noisy city, taking the plane on short hauls and going to the gym. I think the APP's sound is great given their amazing form factor and really potent ANC.
I sold my E8s and my Airpods 2nd Gen.

 

[Sonic Defender]

...
I've already asked B&O if they could look into different size ear cushions going forward, but I doubt it will happen unless rival brands start doing it. I don't know why this isn't a thing already, ...

I completely agree, it is really the next thing that I think needs to be addressed, at least with premium offerings. I can understand why for mid-tier or entry level headphones that this isn't the case, but for top-tier offerings I think it makes great sense. Increases the versatility of the device, provides a possible revenue stream for down the road. At the least, maybe develop a very easy to remove mounting ring and provide the design to well-established after-market earpad companies. That way your customers have choice, but you don't have to take on the cost of warehoused merchandise which may move slowly. Win win.

 

[bjornw]

I felt the same way about my H9s initially, but they've become considerably more comfortable over time. I store them on a manakin head, which may or may not make a difference, I'm not sure but they've softened up nicely.
.

Does anyone have any other idea on how to avoid pressure point ache from the h9i headband? I can barely wear mine for more than 30 minutes straight, and I've had them for more than a year. I tried wrapping a piece of cloth around the headband to get some extra cushioning, but I would like a solution that is both comfortable and doesn't look awful. I would guess that is an impossible equation though

 

[fonefan]

You are talking about the headband or the cushions?
Because I am having less issues with the headband (it's not perfect, but it's already more comfy than my H9i's), but more with the fact that part of my right ear touches part of the driver due to the reduced shallowness of the cushion compared H7/H9. Or did you have the same issue and get used to that?

Still a bit on the fence, because the H9 actually sounds quite a bit better.


We seem to have very different ears, because my ears actually fin inside the cushions and are completely encapsulated by them.



Let me put it like this. I had the Beoplay E8 before, used them with comply comfort and used the tonetouch settings to make them less trebbly and more bassy. I really liked those and I think the Airpods Pro are doing just fine in comparison.
Also if you are like me and all provided tips with you can adjust the sound by changing tips. I.e. going from medium to large you get more bass and less treble.
I don't use the APPs for critical listening, but rather commuting by bike and public transport in a big noisy city, taking the plane on short hauls and going to the gym. I think the APP's sound is great given their amazing form factor and really potent ANC.
I sold my E8s and my Airpods 2nd Gen.

It's more the cushion pressure on my ears just above my lobes in my case. Likewise, the headband is fine. I can see why you need deeper cushions with that problem.

Your ears fit inside that 50mm inner diameter cup? My earlobes hang out of bottom a few mm, not even close to fitting inside that tiny aperture! That's why my ears don't touch the speaker mesh! I guess the H9 is aimed at young folk with small ears and not 46 year olds like me

Thanks for the info on the Airpods. I have a pair of wired B&O in ears. I can't remember the model but they're at least 5 years old now. I like the sound of those, so if the pods are comparable, I might get a pair, for the same duties you use them for.

With the H9, I've been doing some 8-10 hour video game stints this week, with zero discomfort. Compared to new, no chance! I would say give them time, but if your ears are touching the speaker mesh, hmmmm. Time won't solve that!

 

[fonefan]

I completely agree, it is really the next thing that I think needs to be addressed, at least with premium offerings. I can understand why for mid-tier or entry level headphones that this isn't the case, but for top-tier offerings I think it makes great sense. Increases the versatility of the device, provides a possible revenue stream for down the road. At the least, maybe develop a very easy to remove mounting ring and provide the design to well-established after-market earpad companies. That way your customers have choice, but you don't have to take on the cost of warehoused merchandise which may move slowly. Win win.

They've already addressed half of the problem with the detachable plastic frame! All they need to do now is 3D print some larger frames and stick some padding in them. Cheap to develop and a good addition to the accessories page on their website! But when does common sense and logic ever exist in large corporations and government?

 

[fonefan]

Does anyone have any other idea on how to avoid pressure point ache from the h9i headband? I can barely wear mine for more than 30 minutes straight, and I've had them for more than a year. I tried wrapping a piece of cloth around the headband to get some extra cushioning, but I would like a solution that is both comfortable and doesn't look awful. I would guess that is an impossible equation though

30 minutes! Mine would have been returned if they were that uncomfortable. Maybe an upholstery specialist could modify the headband with more padding? Unfortunately with B&O, we have to accept that style comes before comfort, otherwise they'd look like the Bose QC35!

 

[bjornw]

30 minutes! Mine would have been returned if they were that uncomfortable. Maybe an upholstery specialist could modify the headband with more padding? Unfortunately with B&O, we have to accept that style comes before comfort, otherwise they'd look like the Bose QC35!

i know, I liked the sound and build quality so much that I convinced myself that I would get used to the pain or that it would ease up with use. But that never happened . They are much more comfortable if I wear them over a cap or beanie, but that's exclusive to outdoor usage .

 

[rswatson]

Does anyone have any other idea on how to avoid pressure point ache from the h9i headband? I can barely wear mine for more than 30 minutes straight, and I've had them for more than a year. I tried wrapping a piece of cloth around the headband to get some extra cushioning, but I would like a solution that is both comfortable and doesn't look awful. I would guess that is an impossible equation though

What about a luggage handle wrap/grip around the headband? A quick amazon search gives lots of options in all different colors and patterns. Most seem to be neoprene.

 

[bjornw]

What about a luggage handle wrap/grip around the headband? A quick amazon search gives lots of options in all different colors and patterns. Most seem to be neoprene.

You mean something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Headphone-Re...eywords=headband+cover&qid=1574268731&sr=8-13

I've thought about it but I can't find one that specificaly fits the b&o h9(i). Also, they are very ugly, but I might be able to live with that when I am at home and possibly at work.

 

[Cyrfer]

It's more the cushion pressure on my ears just above my lobes in my case. Likewise, the headband is fine. I can see why you need deeper cushions with that problem.

Your ears fit inside that 50mm inner diameter cup? My earlobes hang out of bottom a few mm, not even close to fitting inside that tiny aperture! That's why my ears don't touch the speaker mesh! I guess the H9 is aimed at young folk with small ears and not 46 year olds like me

Now that you mention it, they sit on the top part of my earlobes and the top part of my ears is behind the cushion. Felt most natural for me and I never really felt like they are on my earlobes. That feels rather comfortable. Guess I am not used to true overear headphones.

Thanks for the info on the Airpods. I have a pair of wired B&O in ears. I can't remember the model but they're at least 5 years old now. I like the sound of those, so if the pods are comparable, I might get a pair, for the same duties you use them for.

I would highly recommend to try them out. I was very sceptic at first, but they literally blew me away. Tried them on a Airbus A 321 with my seat being just behind the turbine and the ANC was really really good. I would even say on par or better than my H9i.
Fun fact: the Airpods Pro are rated higher for critical listening on rtings.com than the H9i (though probably without any EQ settings from tonetouch).