Bang & Olufsen's Beoplay Portal: A Must- Have Premium Headphones [Review]
Bang & Olufsen developers are constantly on the lookout for ways to elevate listening experiences, and gaming has grown in popularity in recent years. Gaming can be just as engaging as watching a film in surround sound with the right headphones. Luckily, the Danish Brand has released their first-ever gaming headphones, the Beoplay Portal. But apart from gaming, users can freely switch from gaming to listening to music or podcasts using the same stylish pair of headphones.
The Beoplay Portal is designed specifically for Xbox fans and the first device in the Designed for Xbox Exclusive Series, adding a premium gaming experience to Xbox. The low latency wireless link between the Portal and the Xbox makes them a perfect alternative for those who prefer cable-free gaming. Additionally, the Virtual Boom Arm provides high-quality speech in the absence of the pervasive and sometimes vexing physical boom arm.
I finally had the opportunity to test out the new wireless gaming headphones and have included my thorough review below, covering everything from design and build to performance and other features. To begin, here are the Portal's technical specifications.
Specifications |
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Materials |
Aluminum Leather Fabric Polymer Rubber |
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Fit |
Over-ear |
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Dimensions (mm) and Weight |
167.3 W x 178.7 H x 92.6 D mm 282 g |
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Advanced Sound Features |
Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation Transparency mode Dolby Atmos for headphones |
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Driver Sensitivity |
95dB @ 1kHz / 1 mW |
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Customizable Sound EQ |
Presets available and fully customizable through Bang & Olufsen App |
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Connectivity |
Bluetooth 5.1 Xbox Wireless USB-C port 3.5mm mini-jack |
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Total Playtime and Battery |
Up to 12 hours with Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, and Active Noise Cancelling. Up to 24 hours with Bluetooth and Active Noise Cancelling |
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Charging Time |
Approximately 3 hours |
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Battery Size |
Lithium-Ion Battery Capacity 1200 mAh |
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Microphones |
4 Digital MEMS Voice Mic (2 mics sharing with ANC) 4 dedicated MEMS Mic for ANC functions (2 mics in each earcup) Virtual boom arm for crystal clear conversations |
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Sound Codecs |
SBC, AAC, aptX™ Adaptive |
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Design and Build
Upon first look, you'll instantly see and feel the quality materials used by B&O. The headset has a highly sturdy feel to it but is surprisingly light.
The remainder of the headset is constructed entirely of titanium, which looks and sounds fantastic. On the outside of the earcups, a metal, touch-enabled panel controls the pause and playback of music via Bluetooth. Each ear cup's aluminum discs embody B&O's emphasis on style and substance. The power button ports, touch controls for volume Xbox Wireless/Bluetooth toggle and, active noise cancellation (ANC), and in-game chat mix are located on the bottoms and backs of the earcups. Additionally, two small holes have been designed for the "virtual boom" mic setup on each side. Surprisingly, the Portal does not have a carrying case, as they usually do.
Crafted for long wear, the 282g weight ensures a lightweight, snug fit. Acoustic and comfort are enhanced by memory foam, breathable fabrics, and ear cushions. The headband is padded in an inventive offset pattern to alleviate distress. After testing it for an entire 8 hours of playing and working, it did indeed live up to expectations. I'm not sure how it would work with glasses, but it can be adjusted.
Sound and Performance
When you put on Bang & Olufsen headphones, you know that you'll get premium sound. That's what I got with the Portal. B&O has included various EQ presets for multiple scenarios, like games, music, podcast, and films. Furthermore, the incorporation of Dolby Atmos' support is brilliant.
The spectrum of sounds that this headset produces feels highly stable, with an excellent distinction between peaks, mids, and lows. The soundscape is warm and inviting for music. The bass is round and widespread, but it is not drowned out by deep trundle. Additionally, the midrange and treble are flawless. The voices are pure, and the clear overtones are present.
The Portal enhances the company's ANC capabilities while maintaining a high standard of audio replication. There will be no audible hissing, and the submerged sound effect that a lot of competitors struggle from will not be an issue here.
Other Features
An app accompanies the Beoplay Portal. It is used to configure the headset, and navigating it is pretty straightforward. Once setup is complete, you can delve into the app at your convenience to change audio profiles, toggle between Xbox and Bluetooth modes, and adjust volume, ANC, and chat mix settings. I am quite impressed with it. The Portal includes a 3.5mm analog cable and a USB-C to USB-A cable that functions as both a charger and a wireless audio transport for a computer, mobile device, or game console. Unfortunately, if the battery runs out, you cannot turn to the analog port.
The Portal does not have a headset microphone. Other than that, the manufacturer employs a set of microphones that can isolate and intensify your voice while suppressing background noise by the use of beam formation. My voice was clear enough but not 100% crystal-clear.
Takeaway
With B&O's reputation for high-end audio goods, the Beoplay caught everyone's attention with its $500 price tag, which is comparable to some of the most sought-after models from competitors. Additionally, the mix of great aesthetics and superb sound make these outstanding pair of on-the-go headphones. Additionally, the average 24 hours of battery life over Bluetooth means you won't need to recharge continuously. Quite flawless in every way, the Beoplay Portal excels on almost every aspect. These headphones offer adequate features to make them a great choice for gaming and daily use, from the immersive Atmos audio to the luxurious, lightweight design and long battery life.
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