Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen): Review

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Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Review

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen portable wireless Bluetooth speaker. This sleek and stylish speaker promises premium sound quality, portability, and a host of smart features. But does it live up to the hype? Let's find out!

Unboxing and First Impressions

Okay, so the first thing you'll notice about the Beosound A1 2nd Gen is its premium packaging. Bang & Olufsen always nails the unboxing experience, making you feel like you've just bought something truly special. Inside the box, you'll find the speaker itself, a USB-C charging cable, and some documentation. The speaker is available in several colors, including Black Anthracite, Grey Mist, Pink, and Green.

The design is simply stunning. The Beosound A1 2nd Gen features a sleek, circular design with an aluminum grill on top and a polymer base. It feels incredibly solid and well-built, as you'd expect from a Bang & Olufsen product. The speaker is also quite compact and lightweight, making it perfect for throwing in your bag and taking it on the go. It measures just 5.2 inches in diameter and weighs only 0.6 pounds.

Setting up the speaker is a breeze. Simply turn it on, pair it with your smartphone or other Bluetooth device, and you're good to go. The speaker supports Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring a stable and reliable connection. You can also connect the speaker to two devices simultaneously, which is a handy feature for sharing music with friends. One of the main selling points is its portability. The Beosound A1 2nd Gen is designed to be taken anywhere, whether you're heading to the beach, going on a picnic, or just relaxing in your backyard. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry around, and the included carrying strap adds an extra layer of convenience.

Sound Quality: Does It Deliver?

Now, let's get to the most important aspect: sound quality. Does the Beosound A1 2nd Gen live up to Bang & Olufsen's reputation for audio excellence? In short, yes, it does. This little speaker packs a serious punch, delivering rich, detailed sound with a surprising amount of bass. The speaker features a 3.5-inch woofer and a 3/4-inch tweeter, powered by two 30-watt Class D amplifiers. This combination allows the Beosound A1 2nd Gen to produce a frequency range of 55Hz to 20kHz, which is impressive for a speaker of this size.

The sound signature is well-balanced, with clear highs, detailed mids, and punchy bass. The speaker does a great job of reproducing vocals and instruments accurately, making it a pleasure to listen to a wide variety of music genres. Whether you're into pop, rock, electronic, or classical music, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen will deliver an enjoyable listening experience. One thing that really stands out is the speaker's ability to fill a room with sound. Despite its small size, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen can easily fill a medium-sized room with music, making it perfect for parties or gatherings. The speaker also features a 360-degree sound dispersion, ensuring that everyone in the room can enjoy the same high-quality audio.

The bass performance is particularly impressive. While it's not going to shake your walls like a dedicated subwoofer, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen delivers a surprising amount of low-end punch. The bass is tight and controlled, without sounding muddy or distorted. This makes the speaker a great choice for genres like electronic music and hip-hop, where bass is a crucial element.

Features and Functionality

The Beosound A1 2nd Gen is packed with features that enhance its usability and convenience. One of the most notable features is its built-in microphone, which allows you to use the speaker for phone calls and voice commands. The microphone is surprisingly clear and sensitive, making it easy to communicate with others even in noisy environments. The speaker also supports voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control your music, check the weather, and perform other tasks using just your voice. The voice assistant integration is seamless and works flawlessly.

Another great feature is the speaker's long battery life. Bang & Olufsen claims that the Beosound A1 2nd Gen can last up to 18 hours on a single charge, and in my testing, I found that this claim is pretty accurate. I was able to get around 16-17 hours of playback at moderate volume levels, which is more than enough for a full day of listening. The speaker also supports USB-C charging, which is a welcome addition. It takes about 2.75 hours to fully charge the speaker using a USB-C charger.

The Beosound A1 2nd Gen is also IP67-certified, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof. This makes it perfect for outdoor use, as you don't have to worry about it getting damaged by rain or splashes. You can even submerge the speaker in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes without any issues. The speaker also supports the Bang & Olufsen app, which allows you to customize the sound profile, adjust the volume, and access other settings. The app is well-designed and easy to use.

Comparing with the Competition

Of course, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen isn't the only portable Bluetooth speaker on the market. There are plenty of other options to choose from, including the JBL Flip 5, the Sony SRS-XB23, and the Bose SoundLink Micro. So, how does the Beosound A1 2nd Gen stack up against the competition?

In terms of sound quality, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen is definitely a step above the JBL Flip 5 and the Sony SRS-XB23. It delivers a more refined and balanced sound with better clarity and detail. However, the Bose SoundLink Micro is a closer competitor, offering similar sound quality in a smaller and more rugged package. The Bose SoundLink Micro is also more affordable than the Beosound A1 2nd Gen.

In terms of features, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen offers a more comprehensive set of features than the JBL Flip 5 and the Sony SRS-XB23. It has a built-in microphone, voice assistant support, and a longer battery life. The Bose SoundLink Micro also has a built-in microphone, but it doesn't support voice assistants. Overall, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen offers a good balance of sound quality, features, and portability.

Pros and Cons

To summarize, here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen:

Pros:

  • Premium design and build quality
  • Excellent sound quality with rich bass
  • Built-in microphone and voice assistant support
  • Long battery life
  • IP67 dustproof and waterproof

Cons:

  • Relatively expensive
  • Not as rugged as some competitors

Final Verdict

So, should you buy the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen? If you're looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that delivers premium sound quality, a stylish design, and a comprehensive set of features, then the answer is yes. The Beosound A1 2nd Gen is a fantastic speaker that's perfect for taking on the go or using at home. However, if you're on a tight budget or need a more rugged speaker, then there are other options to consider.

Overall, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen is a top-notch portable Bluetooth speaker that's well worth the investment. It's a speaker that you'll be proud to own and that will provide you with years of listening pleasure. Just be prepared to pay a premium for the Bang & Olufsen brand and its associated quality.