Firstly A8's are more comfortable than traditional earbuds as they do not rely soley on their fit into the ear canal for they retention and they are adjustable to maximise comfort for each user (they are sometimes an issue if you wear glasses). There's also an obvious benefit in portability if you listen to music on the go. The sound quality is also very good - for an earbud. Noise blocking (on planes, trains etc) is not very good).

I have no experience of the Form 2's but there are several threads discussing their merits elsewhere on this forum (search for Form 2 at the top of this page).

If they are to be for in-house listening only however, and you have no price limit, I would bypass both and look at Sennheisser's or Grado's.

Sennheisser HD600's can be found for ~ £140 (RRP ~£250) and get universally good reviews as "real" audiophile headphones. If you're feeling flush then they are the HD650's or several from the Grado range.

I'm a proud owner of A8, using and enjoying them every day.

Hi despotjoe and welcome to BeoWorld!

I have A8s and Form 2s, but I only ever use these to listen to music on the go via my BeoSound 2 or my laptop. At home I will always listen to music via my B&O system instead.

I find that the A8s are very portable and I have no worries about keeping them in their small leather pouch in my pocket. Form 2s however are more delicate and it becomes annoying to be 'looking after' them when you're out in busy London.

Sound wise, they are both very impressive. If you're only going to use your A8s / Form 2s on a long journey - plane / train, I would recommend the Form 2s as background noise is blocked quite a bit more than the A8s. But if you are going to use your A8s / Form 2s on short, rushed and busy journeys I would certainly choose the A8s.

I prefer the design of the A8s, and if you use the earbud foam cushions as well you will forget you're even wearing them. Overall A8s would be my recommendation and in fact, I use my A8s much more than my Form 2s. 

Form 2.

I had both for a while until I sold my A8's on ebay - I hated them.  They never fit right in my ears (my ears dont it well with the bud types) and they were always uncomfortable and as such they sounded awful.  The F2's are much much much better - they sound fuller, deeper, and are comfortable.  

-michael