“We’re thrilled to have Charles work with us to reimagine our flagship Beoplay H100 headphones in a design that captures one of his greatest inspirations: the serene blue of Monaco’s riviera,” says Bang & Olufsen CEO Kristian Teär. The Scuderia Ferrari driver brings his particular brand of refined taste to a product already renowned for its audio fidelity, creating something that might just be worth getting excited about.
Leclerc himself explains: “Bang & Olufsen’s sound clarity has helped me disconnect from the track and reconnect with the music which is a personal passion of mine. Looking at the sea and the movement of the sea, it’s never really the same and that is a huge inspiration to me.” The result is a set of headphones that look as though they’ve been designed by someone who actually cares about both sound and style – a refreshing change in today’s market of plastic fantastic audio gear.
The limited edition factor
Only 216 numbered units will ever exist. That’s fewer than the number of laps in an F1 Grand Prix season, which makes these headphones rarer than a reliable London Underground service. Each pair bears the subtle ‘1 of 216’ marking alongside Leclerc’s CL16 insignia in silver foil – a detail that adds genuine exclusivity rather than just marketing waffle.
The physical construction is properly premium too. Pearl-blasted aluminium frames the ear cups, while toughened steel-blue glass provides both protection and aesthetic punch. Unlike many ‘special edition’ products that simply slap on a famous name and charge double, these headphones feature genuinely distinctive design touches throughout.
When manufacturers collaborate with celebrities, the results can often be cringeworthy – all flash and no substance. This partnership, however, appears to have genuine merit. Leclerc’s Monégasque heritage infuses the design with the Mediterranean’s characteristic blue tones, creating something that wouldn’t look out of place in Monaco’s harbour alongside the yachts of the super-wealthy.
Engineering that matters
Underneath the pretty exterior lies some serious engineering. The standard H100 already features custom titanium drivers, which Bang & Olufsen has wisely retained for this special edition. The resulting sound signature offers what can only be described as properly grown-up audio – precise, detailed and unfatiguing.
Ten studio-grade microphones handle the noise cancellation duties, delivering silence that’s genuinely impressive. Anyone who’s sat on a long-haul flight will appreciate this level of isolation. The system also offers a transparency mode that feels remarkably natural – unlike some competitors’ efforts which sound like you’re listening to the world through a tin can.
The newly developed EarSense technology adjusts the sound profile based on how the headphones fit your particular ears. It’s one of those features that sounds like marketing nonsense until you experience it. The difference is subtle but meaningful – bass remains tight and controlled rather than becoming boomy, while treble maintains its sparkle without becoming harsh.
Usability without compromise
The haptic dial built into the right ear cup proves that complicated control schemes aren’t always better. One twist adjusts volume, another activates transparency mode. It’s refreshingly simple and works reliably, even when wearing gloves – something that touchpads spectacularly fail at.
Battery life stretches to a very respectable 38 hours with noise cancellation active. When depleted, fast charging provides 6 hours of playback from just a 15-minute charge – perfect for those who, like Leclerc, live life in the fast lane and occasionally forget to plug things in overnight.
Connectivity options include both Bluetooth 5.2 and a traditional 3.5mm jack. The latter is becoming increasingly rare on premium headphones, but remains essential for in-flight entertainment systems and professional audio equipment. It’s a thoughtful inclusion that demonstrates Bang & Olufsen understands their audience.
Sound that moves you
The spatial audio implementation deserves special mention. Optimised for Dolby Atmos, these headphones create a genuinely three-dimensional soundstage that extends beyond the physical limitations of the ear cups. It’s particularly effective with binaural recordings and modern music mixed specifically for spatial audio.
Classical music benefits enormously from this approach – orchestral pieces gain a sense of space and positioning that conventional stereo simply can’t match. Similarly, modern productions using Atmos technology sound properly immersive rather than gimmicky. Head tracking adds another dimension, adjusting the sound field as you move your head – just as it would in real life.
Even standard stereo content benefits from the H100’s approach to sound reproduction. The drivers deliver bass with authority but without the overblown boom that plagues lesser headphones. The midrange – where vocals and most instruments live – remains clear and articulate even at higher volumes.
Treble extends well beyond what many can hear, but the extra headroom prevents the compression that often occurs when headphones reach their limits. The result is a listening experience that remains composed and controlled regardless of what you throw at it – from Mahler to Massive Attack.
The included leather pouch adds a final touch of luxury while providing genuine protection. It’s substantial enough to prevent damage during travel but slim enough to slip into a briefcase or carry-on luggage without consuming excessive space.