After perfoming the "bluetooth test" that Beocare asked me to do (leave the phone on a table and walk backwards facing the phone to see if I got dropouts before 10 meters), Beocare has asked me to return the headphones to the dealer in order to get a replacement.

I asked if there is a paricular production batch that has these problems, or if it is a serial number range I should stay away from, but the answer was that they don´t expect me to have these problems with my replacement. They did suggest that I try them in the store to make sure I don´t get faulty ones.

leosgonewild wrote:

After perfoming the "bluetooth test" that Beocare asked me to do (leave the phone on a table and walk backwards facing the phone to see if I got dropouts before 10 meters), Beocare has asked me to return the headphones to the dealer in order to get a replacement.

I asked if there is a paricular production batch that has these problems, or if it is a serial number range I should stay away from, but the answer was that they don´t expect me to have these problems with my replacement. They did suggest that I try them in the store to make sure I don´t get faulty ones.

I hope your replacement set works well off the bat.

I'm curious, since it does appear to be a batch problem, which has been corrected with newer lots, are dealers being asked to replace their inventory? If people order these from a dealer, are they ordering from the factory rather than giving out stock that has been sitting on the shelf which obviously would have the issues.

B&O asking customers to try them in the store to ensure that they're not getting faulty ones is just an audacious suggestion. Customers shouldn't have to attempt any trial runs for a consumer item at a B&O store of all places. Trials to see if the item works for them is okay, but a trial to ensure it works? Come on!?!?

This is horrible news. Everything that B&O seem to be producing these days isn't working properly. Beloit 12, Avant, H8, Moment, Encore etc. How can this be from a company that charges such high prices for their stuff? These guys seriously need to get their act together! It's a true disgrace! Pure negligence.

How about we start our own research-tread? Write the serial number of your H8, and if it has dropouts or not. That way we could see if it is related to a special batch or serial range.

leosgonewild wrote:

How about we start our own research-tread? Write the serial number of your H8, and if it has dropouts or not. That way we could see if it is related to a special batch or serial range.

Good idea!!!

Here's mine:  24502310

How does one read this number to know about batches or serial ranges?

I had my H8 for some weeks now, and this is my experience:

Testing from inside my appartment:
I can listen to music with 9-10 m "free" distance from my phone (Iphone 6) without any dropouts with doors wide open. But if there is a wall between, i will get few dropouts sometimes if distance is 8-10 m.
(if stay within 5 m, signal passes through one massive 10 cm wall without dropouts)

Even if I put the phone under my sofa mattress (15 cm thick), there is no dropouts as long as I stay within the 5 m (safe zone) incl. a 10 cm massive stone wall in between.

I used the H8 on a short flight 2 times the past week. Each way listen around 1 hour straight without any dropouts. I even left my phone in flight seat and went to the lavatory wearing my H8 without any dropouts. Ok seat was 1st row (Ryan air flight though) and toilet just 2 m in front of seat, but still satisfying.

I have noticed, that when my Iphone is inside bluetooth settings (searching for bluetooth connetions) the H8 goes all crazy with dropouts, but leaving the settings all is fine again.

It is possible to cover my iphone with my body in some "unnormal ways" to force dropouts.
But this is just to test performance. Normally I wear my iphone in my front jeans pockets and it works perfect (both right and left pocket 😕)

When using the H8 I always keep my phone near me therefore the dropout symptoms is not something I experience in daily use.

Other comments:
The iphone quickly finds the H8 and connects to it. The materials and craftmanship of H8 is so nice.
The touch functions works very well (the volume control is however not so smoothly as the other touch functions.  The active noise cancellation (ANC) was very good onboard airplane leaving most of noise out (much better than my old Sony in-ear with ANC). But if I use my H8 at home, I will use without ANC, as it gives a much better sound.

The only negative I have to say about H8 is that after 30-60 min use, my ears gets very warm (i want to take the H8 off and rub my ears).
At first when you try them, they feel very soft and comfortable, but after a while I feel a light pressure on my head and get the warm ears. Not terrible, but still something I notice and dislike.

I have before only used in-ear headphones and I am maybe not (yet) used to on-ear headphones.
But I recommend try them for minimum 30 minuttes in the B&O store.

My S/N is: 24501060 (purchased in Denmark).

/Johnny

I am now waiting for a replacement unit due to audio feedback from the ANC microphones but I haven't had that much problems with dropouts. But one thing I did experience was that when my phone (Lumia 920) got an update which included apt-x support some dropouts started to occur (at least when holding the phone in my hand). I did not experience any dropout when using the H8s with my Ipad.

S/N: 24500919

Any news from affected owners?

Mikael wrote:

Any news from affected owners?

Yes, and it's not good.  B&O's official position is that it will neither support nor recommend that H8s will work with all Bluetooth devices, be they MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, or other mobile devices.  Commentary from my local B&O shop on this is mostly smug and truculent. So, I have good connectivity and range with my iPhone but not with my MacBook (where I would like it most).  

An Airplay speaker that has an unstable connection to networks and Bluetooth headphones that have an unstable Bluetooth connection. A company that is less than frank about the issues.

Having owned B&O kit since a BC7700 in 1981 I am finding it more difficult to see me moving on past my current BV10, BL6000 and BC3200.  Somehow B&O are not giving the same air of innovation, quality and reliability any more.