matador43 wrote:

Good evening to you alls,

I'm considering one of this little wired buddies, maybe more as a collector than listener… Anyway.

It seems they are many models :

- Earphones (which comes in many color, seen in 2009-2010 catalog).
- Earset 3 (in the same catalog but in the Phone section, looks like to have unilateral wire).
- Earset 3i.
- A8 (which seems to be the original model, but I'm not sure). 

I'd like to know what are the differences between models, build quality, sound, features… If they're models to avoid and other to look for. And also whatever intel you can provide on those.

Tank you guys.

Dear matador43,

I try to explain the differences between the models.
First, the Earphone and Earset 3i used to be sold at the same time. The difference were colours (which was only available with the Earphones) and the remote control (which was only available with the Earset 3i). The A8 was the original name when it still had the Bang & Olufsen brand. The Earphones and Earset 3i were under the Beoplay brand. The Earset 3 was actually similar to the Earset 3i. but it still had some differences. The Earset 3 had only a button and a microphone to answer a call whereas the Earset 3i enabled us to change the volume as well. The Earset 3 was also under the Bang & Olufsen brand

I hope that clarifies and fulfils what you ask. 

Antonius Robin Iriawan wrote:

I hope that clarifies and fulfils what you ask. 

Thank you Antonius Robin Iriawan,

Yes it helps a lot. So I understand that after A8, they're all the same more or less, with specific feature, but sound wise, the same.

What is unclear still is was there a jump in quality or craftsmanship, between A8 and earset range?

I remember but can't retrieve a topic where someone said something like: "I loved my A8, I hate earset 3".

madskp wrote:

I will take a look if I still has both versions

That would be great, Thank you!

Also since you may have them both, if you could please tell us if they sound similar or not?

matador43 wrote:

What is unclear still is was there a jump in quality or craftsmanship, between A8 and earset range?

In terms of craftsmanship, I think they are not so different. I struggle to find the difference when you touch them.
Some say that the earset's sound quality improved compared to A8. Although, B&O claimed there was no difference in the specification  

Thanks again Antonius Robin Iriawan,

That's all I wanted to know.

All the best.

Thank you madskp, for the pictures and the detailed answer.
Do you notice differences in sound between the three?