Bang & Olufsen A8
The basics
Aluminium earphones offering 50 to 200,000Hz frequency response. Includes in-flight adaptor, extension cord and additional earpads. Weighs 22g.
The good
You probably can’t afford a full B&O home hi-fi or you’d have someone to look at websites like this for you, while you light cigars with £20 notes in your 747’s hot-tub. But you can afford probably the best earphones on the markets today. The anodised aluminium A8s are built to last, with resilient (and comfortable) rubber arms that should fit all but the most cauliflower-esque lugholes. Sound is clear, precise and warm, powerful without being over-powering. You even get a swanky leather carrying case to protect your investment.
The bad
A 1.2m cable allows you to listen to your music while your valet carries the iPod three paces behind you – or alternatively means you’ll constantly be tangling yourself up in it. And while the A8s are never wimpy, don’t expect the bass to match full ear-canal jobs from Shure or Etymotic.
The bottom line
Sonically irreproachable, stylistically stunning and surprisingly affordable, the A8’s are best thing to come out of Denmark since bacon-flavoured Vikings.
User comments (16)
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Kevin Hinton 31 October 2009
Beware of fakes being sold online!!
Report as inappropriatethOmas08 November 2009
there are amaving but after a bit of use they start to fall apart :/
Report as inappropriateGareth09 November 2009
Great sound, had them for several years now and no problems with reliability or damage. But considering the price they aren't very comfortable, and that's the major downfall with them.
Report as inappropriatelillymoe10 November 2009
I think these earphones are great, I have small ears and they fit really well, normal in-ear ones fall out. They do get a little uncomfortable but I think that is just due to my small ears ! sound quality is really good. Just remember to buy them from a listed supplier of B&O or you will get fakes. Expect to pay around the £100 mark
Report as inappropriateDeb 12 December 2009
I've had these headphones for 1.3 years and have had 3 replacements in that time. I've had problems with the connections between the earpiece and wires. B&O have been great replacing every time under warrantee but would rather not have the hassle. Sounds great when it's works.
Report as inappropriateBootyCall13 December 2009
Most respond back by say, great on day 1 but most likely to break! I think i will give this a miss. Sound like a Great set of ear speakers, but CHEAP! build ! Plus the review says... YOU! yes YOU! are most likely unable to afford B&O.. Humm? Since when has B&O offer value for money??? Over price.. sorry should have said WAY! way.. over priced products from B&O Personal would have a Pioneer Kuro. Denon & B&W and still have paid half of what B&O would be asking for the same Quality standard..
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Miss Dudley13 January 2010
Good headphones for virgins.
Report as inappropriatejimbob120508 February 2010
i think they are great
Report as inappropriateMike04 March 2010
Great but they do fall apart!!! the cap on the end of the arm thing has fallen off a few time ... replaced under warenty, now the cable at the plug end has snapped!!!! Thankfully theres a place that carries out work for B&O near me that will fix it for a score! Only reason i came on this site was to find possible alternatives as i have had these for almost 4 years now and still sounding good after near enough daily use in that time!! ... well when the cable was in 1 bit!
Report as inappropriatecompositor9920 March 2010
compositor99 Just bought a pair of A8s and personally I think that these are excellent headphones, sonically perfect, precise, stylish as you would expect from B&O, takes a while to get the position right in the ear, comfortable and well built . . . all in all BRILLIANT!!!
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mike rango19 April 2010
i have had these head phones for about 11 years and they are awesome and have never failed :)
Report as inappropriateadam cheadle29 May 2010
don't be fooled.. these headphones are rubbish, i bought some thinking that b&o meant unbeliveable sound quality but it doesn't. sure they are clear but balanced they are not. they have zero bass unless you press them in to your ears really hard and then the do start to sound good but the pain is unbearable. at high volumes they are harsh and very middy. they do look good but they are no sound isolating so you hear everything you don't want too and everyone else hears everything your listening too. if your gonna spend £100 on in ear headphones you can get much better than these.
Report as inappropriateJoshua Williams06 August 2010
they are great and come in a wide range of colours very comfortable and amazing sound only had one problem but quickly fixed and bang & olufsen gave me a lone pair while mine were being fixed the colours allow me to match them to the rest of my bang & olufsen appliances and cheap at around 100 compared to the rest of the range
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