Testing The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay E8 3.0 Earphones

Testing the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 3.0 Earphones

Bang & Olufsen, founded in Denmark in 1925 by engineers Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, has become a globally renowned brand celebrated for its elegant design and exceptional sound quality.

Beoplay E8 3.0

The third-generation Beoplay E8 wireless earphones have seen several improvements over their predecessor. They are designed to fit virtually any ear size and come with a total of four pairs of silicone and foam ear tips—each in multiple sizes—to ensure a secure, comfortable fit that won’t slip or fall out.

The Beoplay E8 offers up to 35 hours of battery life with the charging case, or up to 7 hours of continuous playback on a single charge.

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The Beoplay E8 3.0 comes with an exceptionally elegant, premium-quality leather charging case. The case closes securely with a magnetic lid and is capable of recharging the earbuds multiple times. When opened, an orange LED indicates the charging status, turning green once fully charged.

On the back of the case, there’s a USB-C port—though its placement may not be the most practical. Qi wireless charging is also supported, adding convenience. The earbuds are equipped with four built-in microphones for clear voice transmission. Additionally, upgraded bass ports allow the drivers to move more freely, resulting in deeper, more accurate, and more impactful bass performance.

You can download the Beoplay app to customize your audio experience using the built-in ToneTouch feature. The app is user-friendly and easy to install and navigate.

The earphones support Bluetooth 5.1, which ensures a stable connection with minimal battery consumption. They are compatible with SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs, providing clear and high-quality sound on both iOS and Android devices.

Why Are Bluetooth Codecs Important for Audio and Hi-Fi Products?

Codecs compress audio data in different ways, which directly affects sound quality. SBC (Subband Coding) is the most basic codec, but it significantly compromises audio fidelity due to its high compression and loss rate. AAC offers slightly better performance and is commonly used in Apple devices, though it’s still not lossless.

The most widely praised codec is aptX. With a bitrate of 352 kbps and a broader bandwidth than SBC, aptX transmits more audio data and delivers noticeably better sound quality. Although it compresses files to reduce size and transmission load, it still manages to provide near-CD quality audio, according to the manufacturer.

The Beoplay E8 3.0 is currently available in black and grey. It has an IP54 rating, which means it’s resistant to dust and splashes, making it suitable for daily use—but it’s not waterproof and should not be submerged or used while swimming.

Fast charging is supported, with a full charge taking approximately an hour and a half. A wireless charging pad is also available for the device, adding convenience. Once the earbuds are removed from the case, they power on automatically.

Touch controls are used to operate the earphones, which allows for quick and simple interactions. However, this feature has its drawbacks. Due to the so-called “fat finger effect,” it’s easy to trigger unintended commands—something that can become frustrating after repeated mishaps.

Thanks to Transparency Mode, users can mute the left earbud with a single tap. The Beoplay E8 3rd generation also features passive noise isolation, allowing ambient sounds to pass through when needed. This function can be activated either via touch or through the app.

Unfortunately, the NFMI (Near Field Magnetic Induction) connection can be unstable at times. The left earbud occasionally loses connection or fails to turn on, which can hinder the listening experience.

Comparison: Beoplay E8 2.0 vs. E8 3.0

Both the Beoplay E8 2.0 and E8 3.0 are in-ear, true wireless headphones designed by Jakob Wagner. Each model includes a rechargeable battery and supports wireless charging, maintaining a sleek and premium aesthetic.

• Frequency Response: Both models offer a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
• Sensitivity: They deliver a leading sensitivity of 107 dB, ensuring strong output at various volumes.
• Impedance: Both earphones maintain an impedance level of 16 ohms.
• Adaptive Audio: Each version features adaptive audio technology that automatically adjusts output volume for an optimized listening experience.

While the specifications are nearly identical, the E8 3.0 introduces ergonomic and functional enhancements—such as a better fit, longer battery life, Bluetooth 5.1, and an upgraded app interface—making it more refined in day-to-day use. However, some connection issues and bass limitations still leave room for improvement.

The leather charging case and brushed aluminum inserts reflect the premium quality typical of Bang & Olufsen. Both the E8 2.0 and E8 3.0 earphones are compatible with the Bang & Olufsen Signature Sound app and offer the intuitive ToneTouch tone control feature.

Additionally, both models are IP54 certified, providing protection against dust and splashing water—making them suitable for everyday use, though not for full water immersion.

Let’s Take a Closer Look at the Differences

The third-generation Beoplay E8 earphones are 17% smaller and 11% lighter than their predecessor. Battery life has seen a substantial improvement—from 16 hours total to 35 hours, and individual earbud playtime has increased from 4 to 7 hours. The older Bluetooth 4.2 connection has been replaced with the faster, more efficient Bluetooth 5.1.

The E8 3.0 also features four microphones and an upgraded DSP, allowing for better voice capture from all directions. Thanks to Microsoft Swift Pair, Bluetooth pairing is nearly instantaneous, and quick pairing with Google devices is also supported. A new bass port enhances performance, delivering more accurate and impactful low-end frequencies.

This latest version includes an improved aptX codec, a USB-C port, and a refined Gen passive noise filter. Despite being smaller, the E8 3.0 actually weighs slightly more—55 grams compared to 45 grams for the E8 2.0. In terms of design options, the newer model is currently limited to black and grey, whereas the E8 2.0 was available in a broader range of colors.

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Conclusion

The Beoplay E8 3.0 represents a significant evolution in functionality and audio quality, offering improved battery life, upgraded connectivity, enhanced microphone performance, and better bass response. While it does have some limitations—such as fewer color options and minor connection instability—it clearly surpasses its predecessor in most key areas. For users seeking premium sound and design in a wireless earphone, the E8 3.0 is a worthy investment.

The Danish premium price category and quality earphones have not the best price/quality ratio, in our opinion we can find better performing and more stable connection earphones, such as JBL or Bose Soundsport Free. Compared to the 2.0 model, the sound has been improved somewhat, and the connection has also been made better, but communication between the right and left earphones is still often unstable and uncertain. Transparency mode and application control, on the other hand, are commendable and very useful, simplifying the use of the headset. We were a little disappointed when testing the Danish-made device, despite its rather spicy price and the brand’s reputation, we experienced quite a few problems.