B&O Beoplay EX: Stylish, sweet-sounding true wireless headphones

These beautiful in-ear headphones look, fit, and sound so fantastic, you might not care that they don't offer best-in-class active noise cancelling.

- THEO NICOLAKIS

Bang and Olufsen's Beoplay EX true wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds feature beautiful design, a secure fit, strong wireless performance, great sound, and decent battery life. They're also entirely waterproof-to the point they'll survive being submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. If their $399 asking price doesn't make you check your wallet, read on and see why they could be B&O's finest in-ear headphones.

DESIGN CUES

B&O audio gear is about form as much as function, and the Beoplay EX certainly make a statement. Once you get past the fact that their stem-shape reminds you of Apple's Airpod, you'll marvel at the Beoplay EX's beauty. They're designed by Copenhagen's Thomas Bentzen, whose industrial designs are known for their "simplicity, rationality, and functionality."

The Beoplay EX are as much a fashion accessory as they are earbuds. I can't quite explain why, but even after weeks of use, the Beoplay EX's design continued to draw my attention every time I opened the case or held them in my hands.

They're available in three finishes: Anthracite Oxygen, a matte black finish with blue accents; Gold Tone; and Black Anthracite. My review pair came in Anthracite Oxygen. The Beoplay EX's signature design element is a tinted, mirrored-glass touch surface sporting B&O's logo and accented with an aluminum ring.

B&O says the purpose of the aluminum ring is to offer protection as well as an aesthetic flourish. The aluminum ring is raised a hair above the glass disc, protecting it from abrasion and scratches. Even after weeks of use, the glass remained pristine.

The only downside is that the mirrored glass was prone to collecting fingerprints. I found myself polishing the glass quite often. Perhaps a future iteration could add some oleophobic protection.

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