A Lifelong Dream Fulfilled, My Emotional Journey with the B&O Beoplay H100

[Gary Tilkin]

<h3 data-start=”399″ data-end=”489″><em data-start=”403″ data-end=”489″>By Gary Tilkin — Traveler, Educator, Musician, Lifelong Admirer of Design Excellence</h3>
<h2 data-start=”496″ data-end=”553″><strong data-start=”499″ data-end=”553″>A Personal Connection Half a Century in the Making</h2>

There are products we buy, and then there are products we connect with. For me, Bang & Olufsen has always fallen into the latter category. My relationship with this iconic Danish brand began more than 50 years ago in Long Island, New York. I was a teenage musician — a drummer with a love for big band and jazz — saving every dollar I earned to pay for college.

One day, I walked into a high-end audio store and saw the B&O 8000 turntable. It was love at first sight. Sleek. Elegant. Unlike anything I had ever seen. When I heard the price, my heart sank — it was far beyond my reach. But I never forgot it. That image stayed with me for decades.

Fast forward to retirement. My wife reminded me of that long-lost dream: <em data-start=”1279″ data-end=”1341″>“You always wanted a nice turntable. It’s time you got one.” That one sentence rekindled my passion for B&O. I bought a fully refurbished Beogram 8000 turntable — and the joy it brought me was indescribable. That moment marked not just a purchase, but the fulfillment of a lifelong aspiration.

So when I decided to evaluate premium Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones for my 14-day October 2025 land-and-sea journey, the choice was inevitable. The B&O Beoplay H100 in sand color was not just a product to test — it was a continuation of my story.

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<h2 data-start=”1836″ data-end=”1871″><strong data-start=”1839″ data-end=”1871″>A Different Kind of Reviewer</h2>

I am not a twenty-something influencer chasing clicks. I’m a 68-year-old retired international educator and facilitator who traveled for 40 weeks a year for over three decades — a Delta Five-Million-Miler whose life was lived on the road, in the air, and across continents.

My reviews are not driven by technical specifications or decibel charts. They are driven by <em data-start=”2242″ data-end=”2254″>experience — how a product feels, performs, and enhances the quality of life in real-world situations: <strong data-start=”2347″ data-end=”2390″>Travel, Home, Work, Exercise, and Play.

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<h2 data-start=”2397″ data-end=”2449″><strong data-start=”2400″ data-end=”2449″>The Beoplay H100 — My Criteria and Evaluation</h2>

My evaluation criteria differ from most reviews you’ll find online. I focused on what truly matters to me:

<strong data-start=”2561″ data-end=”2675″>Comfort | Build Quality | Materials | Longevity | Sound | Noise Cancellation | Iconic Design | Brand Integrity

Let’s take them one by one.

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<h3 data-start=”2711″ data-end=”2726″><strong data-start=”2715″ data-end=”2726″>Comfort</h3>

Out of the box, the H100 felt luxurious yet firm — not as immediately plush as the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 I also tested. But after several days of use, the H100 softened beautifully, much like breaking in a fine pair of shoes. Once settled, the comfort reached the same level as the PX8. Realistic expectations and patience are key — and the payoff is worth it.

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<h3 data-start=”3093″ data-end=”3114″><strong data-start=”3097″ data-end=”3114″>Build Quality</h3>

As someone who spent a career studying luxury brand behavior, I can say the Beoplay H100 is built to the highest standard. When I unboxed it — encased in its unique leather pouch — I was immediately reminded of the craftsmanship and obsessive attention to detail that defined the original Lexus LS500: perfection made tangible. Every seam, hinge, and surface speaks to precision engineering.

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<h3 data-start=”3513″ data-end=”3530″><strong data-start=”3517″ data-end=”3530″>Materials</h3>

The tactile experience is extraordinary. Soft lambskin leather cushions your ears, while hardened glass touch panels and brushed aluminum accents create an aesthetic balance between technology and art. This is design that feels as good as it looks — unmistakably B&O.

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<h3 data-start=”3805″ data-end=”3822″><strong data-start=”3809″ data-end=”3822″>Longevity</h3>

At this price point ($2,200 USD), longevity isn’t optional — it’s mandatory. Thankfully, B&O’s approach to repairability and firmware updates ensures these headphones can evolve with technology. I value that deeply. It’s reminiscent of my Zero Halliburton luggage — a significant investment upfront that paid for itself over 35 years of durability and reliability. True luxury endures.

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<h3 data-start=”4215″ data-end=”4228″><strong data-start=”4219″ data-end=”4228″>Sound</h3>

This is where emotion takes over. I judge sound not by numbers but by how it makes me <em data-start=”4315″ data-end=”4321″>feel. My musical roots are in jazz, classical, and big band — genres where warmth, texture, and clarity matter.

The Beoplay H100 delivers beautifully balanced, smooth, and rich sound. It’s immersive without being overwhelming. Vocals are clean and natural, bass is full but never bloated, and mid-tones glide effortlessly. While hard rock and rap may sound more dynamic on the PX8, for my preferred genres, the H100 reigns supreme.

A surprising bonus: dialogue clarity in movies has dramatically improved. I no longer need subtitles to understand British films. For someone whose hearing isn’t as sharp as it used to be, that’s a revelation.

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<h3 data-start=”4971″ data-end=”4997″><strong data-start=”4975″ data-end=”4997″>Noise Cancellation</h3>

As a stroke survivor, noise sensitivity is part of my daily life. The H100’s adaptive noise cancellation is more than a feature — it’s therapy. The precision control via the left ear wheel lets me tailor isolation perfectly to my environment. Transparency mode is equally impressive, letting me hold conversations (even with my wife) without removing the headphones — a thoughtful touch that feels almost magical.

And phone call clarity? Outstanding. No lag, no distortion — just clear, calm communication.

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<h3 data-start=”5514″ data-end=”5545″><strong data-start=”5518″ data-end=”5545″>Iconic, Timeless Design</h3>

Design has always been B&O’s soul, and the H100 carries that legacy forward. It’s minimal yet distinctive — modern yet timeless. Like my Beogram 8000, which sits proudly in the Museum of Modern Art, the H100 deserves a place beside it.

What I love most is its quiet confidence. No flashy branding. No need for attention. Those who know, know. That’s the essence of understated luxury — and exactly my style.

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<h2 data-start=”5963″ data-end=”5995″><strong data-start=”5966″ data-end=”5995″>Where B&O Missed the Mark</h2>

Even perfection can stumble. B&O made what I call two <em data-start=”6050″ data-end=”6067″>unforced errors:

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<strong data-start=”6075″ data-end=”6097″>Firmware Promises: Some features mentioned at launch were delayed, and one appears to have been abandoned entirely. At this level, B&O must remember: <em data-start=”6229″ data-end=”6262″>under-promise and over-deliver.

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<strong data-start=”6268″ data-end=”6289″>Customer Service: Their responsiveness and helpfulness need to rise to match the prestige of their products. Luxury buyers expect personal, prompt, and informed support.

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<h2 data-start=”6448″ data-end=”6469″><strong data-start=”6451″ data-end=”6469″>The Investment</h2>

Let’s be clear: $2,200 for headphones is extravagant. But value is not always about price — it’s about <em data-start=”6573″ data-end=”6585″>experience. For me, the H100 is an emotional and practical investment that brings daily joy.

Would I buy them again? <strong data-start=”6695″ data-end=”6710″>Absolutely.

In fact, I already have. After my daughter “borrowed” my first sand-colored pair and fell in love, I ordered another — this time in black. The smile on her face said it all. Some luxuries are meant to be shared.

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<h2 data-start=”6932″ data-end=”6953″><strong data-start=”6935″ data-end=”6953″>Final Thoughts</h2>

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 is not just a headphone — it’s an heirloom of design, engineering, and artistry. It represents everything I have loved about B&O since that day, half a century ago, when I first saw that turntable I couldn’t afford.

Now, decades later, I wear my H100 daily with pride and gratitude.

If you’ve ever loved music, design, or craftsmanship that transcends time — the H100 will speak to your soul.

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<strong data-start=”7393″ data-end=”7524″>“Luxury,” I once taught my clients, “is not about showing others what you have — it’s about how what you own makes <em data-start=”7510″ data-end=”7515″>you feel.”<br data-start=”7524″ data-end=”7527″ />The Beoplay H100 makes me feel like that 17-year-old dreamer again.

And that, to me, is priceless.

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Location: Birmingham, Alabama USA

Favourite Product: Bioplay H100 Headphones

Signature: Gary Tilkin

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