Customer Reviews

Bang & Olufsen A8 Earphones (White)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The A8s have been on the market for many years and has been a legend to the hi-fi community worldwide. (Although they are not a favorite at head-fi for some reason)

Back then these cost about one hundred they were a bargain but a few years back B&O increased their price by more than 50% to the current price.

Used to be you could find these (black ones) on ebay for about 80-100 for genuine ones, but nowadays all the 70-ish A8s on eBay looks fake. I know cuz I bought two pairs of black A8s, one authentic one fake, just for comparison sake, and returned the fake one afterwards.

Eventually I sold my A8s when my interest shifted away from hi-fi. But ever since these white ones were announced I've wanted to get them. B&O sold these on amazon market place, but now amazon is carrying them through their fulfillment center. This info is useless except that the white A8s now qualify for free shipping and Prime membership.

The design and comfort of these things are truly for the royalties, as Bang & Olufsen brand suggests. Let's take a look:
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Packaging:

Very simple, tiny box, with necessary accessories but no more (others in this price range offer a lot more in accessories).

There are 4 pairs of white earbud socks, one user guide, one environment booklet, and the leather carrying case. No extension cable like with the black ones.
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Comfort:

Very very comfortable. More comfortable than copycat products such as Ath-EC700s. I own them. They just fit, and you will not feel like there are metal parts near your face.

I've heard people complaining about these being trouble some to put on. Here's the easiest and quickest and most comfortable way: spin the earbud wing outward so that there is a huge clearance between the hook and the L-wing where the earbud sits. Put the hook around your ear, then spin the earbud back, and just adjust the position of the earbud until it sits comfortably in your ear. (The adjustable parts will be in the right place automatically). Soon as you do that, you will forget that you are even wearing earphones.
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Durability/Construction:

Although the design is premium, the material used in the cable is just criminal for how much they are charging. They are so incredibly thin even the ibuds have thicker and more robust feel cable. The plug is straight with slight strain relief (I still prefer L-shaped because they are so much less prone to damages), and very good relief from where the cable come out of the earbuds.

Other than that, the white rubber on the hook is very soft to the touch while still being smooth and sorta glossy. The metal parts are flawlessly cut. The hinges feel durable. Over all very well made, I only wish they would improve the quality of the cables. Though there is a generous 3-year international warranty for when things turn bitter.
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Sound:

Obviously you do not buy these for the sound. There are much "better sounding" earphones at much lower prices, if fuller bass and more forward presentation sound the best to you. The A8s should not be your only listening device. They sound cold, analytical, but also very clean which I love. The highs are not necessarily shrill but will sound that way for longer periods of listening because of the lack of lower body bass. EQ will not fix that.

I think the sound is very refreshing from the entire industry that is being dominated by bass demands. My primary listening devices have been EC700s, UE700s, Shure SE310, Sennheiser IE7, Meelectronics M6, and Senn MX 471. Truth be told I've always missed the sound of my old A8s. They are not in-your-face (or in-your-brain) like the IEMs. And they are much more relaxed than MX 471 and EC700.

Dean Martin's "Memories are made of this" sound just okay. The backup vocals are barely present, although you can feel a good stage presence with vocal separation and disposition. Louise Armstrong sound very good on these, the trumpet is not brain-scrapingly sharp like the way they sound on my MX471s. The Beatles sound good. Muse sounds weak in bass and you do not feel the world coming to an end when you listen to Apocalypse Please. Beethoven, Bach,and Mozart sound really good although a bit lacking in bass body. Black Eyed Peas' Boom Boom Pow's bass sounds like a joke lol although it's still pleasant to listen to.

In other words, you may nod slightly to the music you hear but it will take a different pair of earphones for you to rock hard to.

These are just my thoughts and hope I've covered a good range of genres.
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I love the sound of the A8s for the clean and peaceful sound they make. They are comfortable to wear and the music is good to listen to when you are multitasking. It's hard for me personally to be writing a paper wearing my IE7s, they are too musical and upfront. And if you want to take a break from all those bass/mid-heavy headphones that everyone is making and have a cleaner, more peaceful listening experience, the A8s are perfect.

So again, for the lack of bass and lack of "wow-factor" in the sound, and also comparing the sound that others in the same price bracket can offer, I give the A8s 3-star for soundquality for "it's okay". (If these were 100-ish I'd feel different) However, when you take into the whole package, the design, the comfort, the class, I had to give it 5 for "I love it".

The A8s are a definite must-have in your expensive earphone collection. (Or just expensive stuff collection)

These are the best for two reasons. First is the sound. They sounds incredible. Rock and roll and hip-hip comes through crystal clear. Very, very good. Two, they stay on your head, in your ear. Ear buds were always falling out of my ear on me when I'm at the gym. Not these ones. They are always on, and they are comfortable. I go jogging with them too. These are the best.

This is now my second set of earphones from Band & Olufsen. My first pair I had for so many many years, before one of them finally stopped working. I use them everyday (almost) for running. They stay in place no matter what, they are very comfy, and great to travel with. The sound is spectular as well. Great for any activity... even on the plane.

I bought a pair of these for working out (running). I love the way that they adjust and stay snug in the ear. The sound quality is amazing! They were so good that I bought 2 more pairs as gifts for my wife and daughter for Christmas. I'm sure they will enjoy them as much as I have.