Bang & Olufsen has unveiled the Beo Grace, wireless headphones that combine aluminum, smart controls, and adaptive noise cancellation technology. They cost €1,500, which begs the question: are we paying for sound or primarily for prestige?
Most wireless headphones are designed to be almost invisible. Bang & Olufsen goes the other way: Beo Grace they are not just a listening device, but a fashion piece. At a price of 1,500 euros, this is a clear signal that you are buying something more than just a “gadget”. But how much acoustics do you really get when you also buy a piece of jewelry?
Design icons in miniature
Bang & Olufsen has built its name on aesthetics for centuries. The Beo Grace is a fusion of past and present: the metal temples are reminiscent of the iconic A8 model, but this time without the ear hooks. The housing is made of brushed aluminum, and the charging case has a hinge that opens with “minimal effort” – typical B&O poetry of the user experience.
Instead of classic “touch” controls, here it hides pressure sensor: each click is physically felt and supported by audible feedback. This means no more accidentally stopping your music when you just want to adjust the volume.
Sound technology – promises and limitations
On paper, the Beo Grace is an impressive piece of technology:
- Drivers: 12 mm titanium diaphragms for precise sound.
- ANC: Six microphones and the EarSense system, which measures the shape of your ear in real time and adjusts the sound and noise cancellation accordingly.
- NearTap: You adjust the volume by tapping your ear - right for louder, left for quieter.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, support for SBC, AAC and LC3. Unfortunately, no LDAC or aptX Lossless.
- Endurance: IP57 protection against dust and water.
But – with the battery, reality sets in: 4.5 hours with ANC on, together 17 hours with a charging case. This is below average for the competition. But what stands out is the partnership with Breathe: the battery is said to last more than 2,000 charge cycles, which can be four times longer than conventional headphones.
The box has another trick up its sleeve: it can act as a transmitter via USB-C or line-in input, which means you can also connect Beo Grace to old devices without Bluetooth.
Price and positioning
At 1,500 euros Beo Grace they compete more with luxury watches than with Sony or Apple headphones. There are even accessories – for example, a leather case for around 400 euros. It’s not about performance “per euro”, but about aesthetics and a symbol of prestige.
Bang & Olufsen isn't aiming for the mass market. Their goal is to create a "wearable sound sculpture" - something that has as much of a role in fashion as it does in music.
Verdict
Beo Grace It's not for everyone. If you care about battery life or the highest quality codecs, you'll probably be disappointed. But if you care about design, tactile quality, and exclusivity, then these are probably the most glamorous headphones you can put in your ear.
The question these headphones raise is simple: how much do we pay for sound in audio equipment and how much for identity? With Beo Grace, the answer is clear – both, but in a ratio determined by luxury.
