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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ earbuds are significantly less expensive and offer features like active noise cancelling, wireless convenience, sweatproof certification, and a more compact form for exercise or travel compared to the HifiMan Edition XS headphones. However, the HifiMan's over-ear, open-back design typically provides superior sound quality and a larger soundstage, which may be highly desirable for audiophiles and for home listening. The drawbacks are that they do not have active noise cancelling, are not optimized for exercise or travel due to their larger size, and require a wired connection, which could limit mobility. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is only fair.
Gaming
8.4
7.4
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Phone Calls
7.2
5.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
7.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
TV and Video
7.8
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class for TV and video, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has 6.5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery.
Cost
$330
$379
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ has a price of $330 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $379.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and HifiMan Edition XS both have very good build quality.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$330 | $379 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | March 2022
"Bang & Olufsen’s audio products prioritize style and function just as much as sound quality. The company’s latest Beoplay EQ noise-cancelling true wireless earphones combine strong, accurate-leaning audio with solid noise cancellation in an exceedingly classy design."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EQ or the HifiMan Edition XS
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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