Bang & Olufsen Cisco Bang & Olufsen 950 True Wireless Review

The Cisco Bang & Olufsen 950s are elite true wireless earbuds built for work. Their microphone and call quality are among the best we've tested, perfect for video conferences. You also get fantastic B&O-tuned audio and solid noise cancellation, all wrapped in enterprise-grade security. But at over $400, they're a premium investment only worth it if you need their unique business features.

Let's be honest, most true wireless earbuds are designed for music and maybe the occasional call. The Cisco Bang & Olufsen 950s are something else entirely. They're a specialized tool built from the ground up for the modern, hybrid workplace, and they wear that mission on their sleeve. This is a collaboration between a legendary audio brand and a titan of enterprise networking, and it shows.

If you're an IT professional, a manager, or anyone who spends half their day in back-to-back video calls, these buds are speaking your language. They're Microsoft Teams certified, packed with enterprise-grade security features, and managed through the same Cisco tools your IT department already uses. But the real kicker is that B&O handled the sound, so you're not sacrificing your lunch-break playlist for call clarity.

What makes them interesting is that they're trying to be the one headset for everything. They have to nail the boardroom presentation, survive the commute with top-tier noise cancellation, and then deliver a genuinely enjoyable musical experience. That's a tall order at any price, let alone one that pushes into the $400+ range. We're looking at whether they can truly be an all-in-one solution, or if they're a compromise that excels only in the office.

The numbers tell a compelling story. In our database, these earbuds score in the 97th percentile for both sound quality and microphone performance. That's elite territory. For sound, it means you're getting the detailed, balanced audio profile B&O is known for, with support for aptX Adaptive for high-quality streaming on compatible devices. The 9.2mm drivers deliver a full range that's impressive for true wireless buds.

Where they really separate themselves is on calls. That 97th percentile mic score isn't just a number. It translates to six beamforming microphones working with advanced noise-canceling algorithms to make your voice sound crisp and clear, even in a noisy coffee shop or a home office with background chatter. The ANC performance, while very good at the 84th percentile, is a step behind the absolute class leaders like Sony or Bose. But for cutting out office HVAC or city traffic, it's more than sufficient. The 6-hour battery life with ANC on is solid, not class-leading, but the fast charge (20 minutes for an hour of play) and wireless charging case are welcome conveniences.

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the price. At over $400, the Cisco B&O 950s are firmly in the luxury tier of true wireless earbuds. You're not just paying for drivers and a battery here. You're paying for a suite of enterprise-grade software, security, and management features that most consumer buds simply don't have.

The value proposition is entirely use-case dependent. If you need a single device that seamlessly integrates into a corporate IT environment, provides best-in-class call audio, and also delivers fantastic music playback, then the price starts to make sense. You're effectively buying a high-end communication tool and a high-end audio product in one. If you just want great noise-canceling earbuds for music and travel, there are better values elsewhere.

Stacked against the usual suspects, the trade-offs become clear. The Sony WF-1000XM5 is the king of noise cancellation and has a slightly more fun, bass-forward sound signature. But its microphone performance, while good, isn't in the same league for critical business calls, and it lacks any enterprise management features. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer arguably the most comfortable fit and immersive audio, but again, they're consumer-focused.

The more direct competitor is the Jabra Evolve2 Buds. They're also built for business with great mics and Teams certification. The Jabras might even have a slight edge in dedicated call features, but they typically fall short of the B&O 950s in pure music listening enjoyment. The B&O's audio quality is in another tier. The Apple AirPods Pro are the easy choice for the Apple ecosystem, with stellar transparency mode and integration, but they can't touch the call quality or IT manageability of the Cisco buds in a Windows/Teams-centric world.

Skip these if you're a student, a casual listener, or someone who just wants great noise-canceling earbuds for music and podcasts. At this price, you're paying a hefty premium for business features you'll never use. You'd be much better served by a Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, which offer better pure ANC performance for less money.

Also, skip them if you're deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and make most of your calls via FaceTime or iPhone. The Apple AirPods Pro offer a more seamless, integrated experience for Apple devices, with spatial audio and easier switching. The Cisco buds are built for the Windows, Android, and Microsoft Teams universe. If your primary use is gaming, look at dedicated gaming headsets with low-latency wireless; the 950s are competent but not optimized for that world.

For the right person, these are an easy recommendation. If you're an IT admin looking to standardize on a secure, manageable audio solution, or a knowledge worker whose job is 50% calls and 50% focused work with music, the Cisco Bang & Olufsen 950s are arguably the best tool for the job. They eliminate the need for a dedicated USB call headset and your personal music buds, all while giving your IT team peace of mind.

For everyone else, it's a tougher sell. If your primary use is commuting, travel, and music, you can get 95% of the ANC performance and 100% of the music enjoyment from a Sony or Bose for less money. And if you live on FaceTime or Discord calls, the AirPods Pro or a gaming headset might be a better fit. These buds excel in a very specific, hybrid professional niche.