Bang & Olufsen today launches a new edition of the Beoplay Portal, offering support for PC and PlayStation consoles. There is also support for mobile devices. The second version of the Portal receives a new wireless dongle and has an improved battery life of up to 42 hours. The cost: 499 euros.
Just like the previous version of the BeoPlay Portal, this headset is mainly intended for gaming. There, the colossus has beam-forming microphones that isolate and amplify the user’s voice.
There is no physical microphone, as you often see with such products. Instead, the mic is incorporated into the design of the headphones, so you can also use it as a regular headset. For listening to music, for example.
The new Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay Portal supports bluetooth 5.1 and aptX Adaptive technology (for users who do a lot with their smartphone) and offers noise reduction. The noise reduction can somewhat limit the maximum battery life, but it does not save many hours.
You connect the headphones to a PlayStation console or PC via the 2.4 GHz connection. The new wireless dongle provides a faster connection between the mentioned devices or any other USB-C input device, with a seamless transition between wireless and wired use.
The new BeoPlay Portal has two 40 mm drivers with neodymium magnets, which should ensure an accurate and true-to-life acoustic reproduction. In addition, there is support for Dolby Atmos and that is good news; because more and more games also support that audio technology.
In addition, there is a new generation of Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation technology. The addition of Own Voice allows users to hear their own voice while suppressing external sounds. Very handy during those intense gaming sessions.
Naturally, attention is paid to design and comfort. For example, the manufacturer speaks of “jaw-supporting ear cushions made of memory foam wrapped with lambskin”. And the band on the inside has “an offset padding designed to relieve pressure on the top of the head.” And that’s not without reason, because the filling is covered with “high quality bamboo fiber, chosen for its durability and breathability”. That you know.
Price and availability
The Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay Portal is available in the colors Black Anthracite, Gray Mist, and Navy. The headphones are now on sale for a price of 499 euros.
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