Listen to B & O's wireless earphone "BeoPlay EQ" on various devices.I wanted to try a wider range of uses for the natural voice comfort and unexpected noise canceling effects.

　先月末に、Bang & Olufsen（B&O）の完全ワイヤレスイヤホン「Beoplay EQ」が発売された。EQとは「Ear Quiet」の意味で、同ブランドとして初めてアクティブノイズキャンセリング（ANC）機能を搭載したことも注目を集めている。

　In addition, new development 6.Equipped with a 8mm driver, the company's conventional model (driver diameter 5).It is considered to enable a more rich sound than 2mm and to provide a comfortable music experience in various environments, including outdoors.

Wireless earphone "BEOPLAY EQ" ¥ 39,900 (tax included)

● Driver: 6.8mm dynamic type ● Playback frequency band: 20Hz to 22kHz ● Bluetooth codec: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive ● Continuous playback time: Up to 6 hours (AAC, ANC/on), up to 7.5 hours (AAC, ANC/off), up to 5.5 hours (aptX Adaptive, ANC/on) ● Dimensions/mass: Body = W24 × H22 × D27mm/8g, charging case = W77 × H26 × D40mm/50g

　The noise canceling function is equipped with six microphones on the earphone body, measuring the environment sounds of the outside and inside, and achieving the optimal effects for both feed forward feedback.The algorithm at that time is customized for earphones based on what is used in the company's headphones.

　なおBeoplay EQでは周囲のノイズ量に合わせて11段階のキャンセリング効果を自動的に調整しており、これをオン/オフで切り替える仕組みになっている。その操作は左イヤホンのB&Oロゴマーク部分を2回タッチすることで可能だ（外音取り込み/ANCオン/オフがサイクリックに切り替わる）。

　ちなみに同社では、ノイズキャンセリング効果をユーザーが任意に選択できるモードを準備中で、後日のファームウェアアップデートで実装される予定という（設定はスマホ、タブレットのB&Oアプリから行う）。

　By the way, this time, I was able to borrow a BeoPlay EQ listening machine, so I tested it for about a week.I would like to deliver that impression below.

　まずケースを手に取ってみると、仕上げも美しく、表面のなめらかさが心地いい。素材には航空機グレードのアルミを使い、アノダイズ処理を加えることで耐摩耗性に優れた製品に仕上げている。アルミを選んだことについては、そもそもB&Oはスピーカーキャビネット用にもアルミを採用するなどこの素材に造詣が深く、さらにリサイクルが可能で、軽量性、強さに優れていることも要因だったという。

　At the new product presentation the other day, Michael John Hardman, the company's global marketing director, often brings out wireless earphones because of the character of the product, so it seems that scratches are hard to stick.He said he was considering.Certainly, with this size and finish, it seems that you will not worry if you put it in your pants pockets or bags.

　B&Oの従来モデル「E8 Sport Rapha Edition」と比べてみると、充電ケースの幅はほぼ同じで、高さはBeoplay EQの方が3分の2ほどと小さいが、奥行は5mmくらい大きくなっている。

　As for the earphone itself, BEOPLAY EQ has a large built -in driver, but it looks almost the same due to design consideration (in fact, 3 sides are 1-2 mm larger than E8 SPORT).In addition, there is a device that the communication antenna between the left and right is built in the peripheral part to enhance the stability of communication.

　First, pair with the iPhone 12 and listen to the sound of BeoPlay EQ.It supports SBC, AAC, and AptX Adaptive as a Bluetooth codec, so in this combination it will be connected by AAC.

　B&Oのワイヤレスイヤホンは、これまでも「E8 3RD GEN」や「E8 Sport」などを聴いたことがあるが、どのモデルでも自然なヴォーカル、安定した低音感を楽しむことができ、個人的にも気に入っている。

　The basic direction of BEOPLAY EQ this time is the same, and Carpenters' Singles 1969-1981 was able to hear Karen's glossy singing voice and natural treble growth.Billy Joel's "The Stranger" Intro's whistle, the sound of musical instruments, such as guitars and drums of the classic Eagles "Hotel Caelifornia", and detailed nuances are reproduced properly.

　他にも電子楽器やクラシックなどを聴いたが、どのジャンルでも特定の帯域を強調するといったことがなく、音源を素直に再生している印象だ。こういった演出感のなさがB&Oの魅力なのだと再確認した。またBeoplay EQではウッドベースなどの低音感にゆとりも出ているように感じる。このあたりは微妙な違いだが、ドライバーが大きくなった恩恵なのかもしれない。

　By the way, we are listening to the ANC function in a state so far, but in the first place the company's earphones can cut the external noise by fixing the main unit to the collar (ears of the ear) when installed.BEOPLAY EQ also has a reasonable sound insulation effect simply by inserting the ear chip to the back, turning the main body lightly and fitting it into the collar.

　I was not dissatisfied with the ANC off, but I was surprised to turn on the ANC.There are many remote work on the time, and this audition is also performed in the living room at home.I thought that there was not so much noise, but this was different.

　The sound of the air conditioner on the ceiling, which I didn't usually care about, subsided, and the atmosphere of the place where I was playing changed.The sound of the female vocals and the strings of the guitar is clear, and you can hear even fine nuances.At the time of ANC off, the blazing sound, which was unconsciously shy, actually masked music information, and it would be that the ANC was turned on properly.

　The most important thing is that there is no significant change in the sound quality with ANC on/off.The current BEOPLAY EQ noise canceling has automatically adjusted the effect on external noise, as mentioned above, and does not seem to work extremely strongly.For that reason, "modest but moderate noise canceling" is obtained.I personally felt this effect was a very good balance.

　I want you to improve the points that are difficult to understand the ANC mode (although this is said in other reviews).At present, when you switch between 3 modes of external sound import/ANC on/off, you can only hear the operation sound, and you do not know which mode you are now listening.It will be easier to use if you announce the current mode, not the operation sound.

　By the way, I tried what would happen if I connected a device other than the iPhone.When I paired it with the iPad Air and listened to the same song as the iPhone, I felt that the bass feeling of the bass and drums was a little more powerful.The codec should be AAC, and the playback software is both FOOBAR2000 for iOS, so the playback environment is common.Alternatively, the differences in the power supply capacity of the iPhone and the iPad Air may be affecting.

　BEOPLAY EQ also supports AptX Adaptive codecs, but unfortunately the smartphones and tablets at hand are iOS, so none of them support.I wanted to listen to the sounds of codecs other than AAC, so I prepared a creative media "BT-W3".

　This can be transmitted to SBC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX LL with a tool that installs the Bluetooth signal by attaching it to the USB Type-C connector.I was worried about which codecs could be used if combined with BeoPlay EQ.

　The only way to use BT-W3 paired with BEOPLAY EQ to the USB-C on the iPad Air.You can now enjoy music playback, and you can identify which codec you are being sent at that time with the LED color of the BT-W3.

　As soon as I started playing, the LED of the BT-W3 turned green.This means that it is connected by AptX, unfortunately, it was not possible to play with AptX HD, which can be transmitted by high -resolution.

　By the way, the sound of APTX has a lower sound pressure than the AAC, and it is a slightly calm and elegant direction, so some people may prefer classical music.However, it was almost unknown to the difference from AAC in female vocals, so it is delicate whether to add BT-W3 for that.

　Hopefully a small Bluetooth transmitter such as BT-W3, a model that supports AptX Adaptive.With that in mind, the between a player like the iPad Air and the BeoPlay EQ will be transmitted with high -resolution quality, so you should be more immersed in music.Or you may be able to enjoy movie works without any discomfort, taking advantage of low delays.BEPLAY EQ had sound quality that gave me such expectations.

(Coverage / sentence: Tetsuya Izumi)

BEOPLAY EQ with a hybrid ANC function is an elegant earphone for high quality music and calling.You can enjoy up to 20 hours of audio regeneration by enabling Portable and ANC.