Design and features:These headphones can be used wirelessly with Bluetooth devices or can be cord connected. When cord connected they have low sensitivity; so while they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and higher powered portable audio devices, they may not be a good match for lower-powered portables. The BeoPlay H4 has an integrated microphone and volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls for use with paired Bluetooth devices. Additional features include earcups that swivel to flat for ease of carrying and storage. The free BeoPlay app download for Apple or Android mobile devices can be used to adjust tonal balance and sound stage (the apparent size of the audio "image), and to update firmware. This model comes with a detachable 48-inch long standard audio cable, and a USB charging cable.
Sound quality: We found the BeoPlay H4 delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. The overall sound can be summarized as boomy, a bit thin, and bright. Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is prominent and boomy with the bass notes cutting off rather than decaying naturally. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is somewhat thin, and a bit hazy and constricted (as in straightjacketed), and "far away" sounding. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended, but is somewhat prominent and sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound somewhat reminiscent of bacon frying). The sound has a good sense of liveliness and is somewhat open -- sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything covering your ears. There was no significant difference between Bluetooth and wired sound quality.
Comfort: We found that these headphones produce a sense of light pressure around the ears; some may find that the headphones will tend to shift forward if the user leans far forward when wearing them. As typical of over-ear models the ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use. If a proper seal is not achieved with the earpads the sound quality is affected: the bass becomes slightly subdued and the midrange becomes a bit edgy.
