I purchased the B&O Beosound A1 2nd Gen to improve my MacBook Pro - based, 2 cable (1 monitor power cord, 1 USBC to drive the external monitor + power my MacBook Pro) work from home setup. My work area is limited and in the middle of my kitchen / living / dining area — so aesthetics are also a factor.
I specifically wanted: (1) reliable, high quality audio for conferencing and music, (2) small footprint, (3) cable-free / wireless operation, and (4) long battery life.
On paper, the B&O Beosound A1 seemed ideal; however after extensive research I felt like I would be paying a premium for the small form factor while compromising on sound quality (ref Alan Ross YouTube videos) and perhaps battery life. I decided to take the plunge as I could return the unit if it disappointed.
The unit was delivered on time and I was very impressed with the packaging, instruction booklet, physical quality, and straightforward button layout. Setup and software update using the B&O iOS app was intuitive and almost effortless. Pairing the unit with my MacBook Pro and selecting the microphone and speaker in MacOS preferences was routine. The unit charged from 80% to 100% using my MacBook Pro USBC power adapter in about 2 hours. I immediately tested music playback and found it acceptable and inline with Alan Ross’s review (good highs and mids, less than robust bass, and sound quality highly sensitive to speaker placement / tweeter orientation). I also observed that the unit would power off after a period of inactivity and was concerned that I might have to reset the speaker and microphone connections after turning the unit back on. All in all these were potential complications I could live with.
The unit passed its inaugural 1 hour Microsoft Teams meeting / video conference with flying colors the following day: powering it up reestablished wireless Bluetooth pairing, plus microphone and speaker assignments; and audio quality was reliable and exceptional throughout the meeting. This is the primary reason I purchased the unit, so I was ready to claim mission accomplished. However, a surprise was in store.
After my conference call I decided to check battery level using the B&O app — the unit was at 95% after a few hours of experimenting with music playback, letting the unit sit overnight and a 1 hour conference call in the morning. That was reassuring, but while in the app my attention was drawn to the app’s Equalizer feature which I had glossed over during setup and did not examine during my prior musical exploration -- so I decided decompress to random selections from my Apple Music library while also testing the equalizer settings.
Wow, I was blown away by the difference in sound quality using the equalizer — particularly the Ambient setting. I listened to selections from John Williams, Florence + the Machine, Acadia, Los Lonely Boys, Makaveli, Chick Corea, James Blake, Lydia Low, Ani DiFranco, Prince, Coldplay, Matisyahu, Public Enemy, Anthony and The Johnsons, Yael Naim and others. The range featured classical, R&B, rock, reggae, metal, alternative, singer songwriter, vocal, instrumental, a cappella — an excellent sample of what I listen to — and nothing disappointed: Sound clarity is excellent, highs are bright, mids are uniform and punchy, lows are deep and moving for a 5" speaker, and volume is excellent for my use case (personal audio — not throwing a party).
Net-net: It turns out that the Beosound A1 2nd Gen was a no compromises purchase for my requirements. The form factor perfectly matches my minimal Mac setup, the conferencing functionality is great and the sound quality is exceptional for my musical tastes. This product is of the best purchases I’ve made.
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Ask to play music, hear the news, control your smart home, and more with this smart speaker.
Alexa Built-in Learn more
Alexa Built-in
This smart speaker has been certified by Amazon for its built-in Alexa functionality, providing a voice-forward experience to play music, read news, control other smart home devices, and more.
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$200.00
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Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn morePRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Recycled Content Certification for Electrical and Electronic Equipment products have at least 10-50% recycled content, based on product type and environmental impact.
From the manufacturer
Bang & Olufsen transforms your listening experience with better sound and acoustic performance wherever you are with in-home music systems, portable speakers and headphones that integrate seamlessly into everyday life.
Small speaker, huge sound
Compact portable speaker
Take Bang & Olufsen Signature Sound with you, thanks to Beosound A1's superior audio performance. With a peak power of 2x140 watts as well as an aptXTM adaptive codec to improve sound performance, this small speaker punches well above its weight.
Three omni-directional microphones ensure Beosound A1 delivers clarity on speaker calls too. Stay connected or relax to the bass-rich sound of your favourite tunes.
- Big sound, compact design
- Rugged, waterproof speaker
- Long-lasting battery
The music comes with you
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Responsive voice controlUse Amazon Alexa or voice commands to play music, change tracks, make a call and much more. |
Impressive daily playtimeConvenient, fast charging and a powerful battery, so the beat can go on for even longer. |
Lightweight, heavy beatsEven the heaviest of beats can come with you, thanks to the portable and lightweight design. |
Sleek yet toughBrushed aluminium and double-moulded polymer for an attractive finish, yet durable enough for a life on the road. |
Music in the palm of your hand
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Built-in Amazon AlexaBeosound A1 puts convenience first with sophisticated microphones and built-in voice assistant. Access Amazon Alexa wherever you are. |
Clarity and connectionSuperior call clarity and a fast Bluetooth connection make Beosound A1 a reliable speakerphone for connecting with friends and colleagues. |
True360 soundThe attractive, gently domed design not only looks good, it is instrumental in providing True360 sound for indoors and out. |
Waterproof small speakerConstructed from durable materials thoughtfully chosen by Bang & Olufsen designers, Beosound A1 is waterproof as well as dust-resistant. |
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| Beoplay P2 | Beosound A1 2nd Gen | Beolit 17 | Beoplay P6 | |
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| Customer Reviews |
534
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3,508
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499
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556
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| Price | — | $200.00 | — | — |
| Playtime | Up to 10 hours | Up to 18 hours | Up to 24 hours | Up to 16 hours |
| Bluetooth connectivity | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Water and dust resistance | - | Yes (IP67 certified) | - | - |
| Stereo pairing | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connections | USB-C | USB-C | 3.5mm Mini-Jack and USB-C | USB-C |
| Microphone | Built-in microphone | 3 microphone array built-in | - | Built-in microphone |
| Dimensions | 5.5 W x 3.15 W x 1.1 H in | 1.83 H x 5.2 D in | 9 W x 7.44 W x 5.3 H in | 5.11 W x 6.7 H x 2.7 D in |
| Weight | 9.7 oz | 1.23 lbs | 5.9 lbs | 2.2 lbs |
Compare with similar items
This Item  Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Generation) Wireless Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker with Microphone, Anthracite |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -33% $200.00 List: $299.00 | -33% $199.95 List: $299.00 | -17% $179.95 Typical: $215.99 | -30% $174.84 List: $249.00 | $599.00 | $128.24 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 1 | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sound quality | ||||||
| Battery life | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Portability | ||||||
| Water resistance | ||||||
| Sold By | Big Rocket Man USA | Big Rocket Man USA | Big Rocket Man USA | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| speaker size | 13.3 centimeters | 13.3 centimeters | 13.3 centimeters | 5 inches | 40 millimeters | 5 inches |
| power source | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | Battery Powered | Battery Powered |
| connectivity tech | Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Auxiliary | Bluetooth Version 5.1 Inputs and Outputs USB-C for charging, speakerphone and streaming On-Device Controls Power button Bluetooth connect button Microphone button Play/Pause button Volume up/down buttons Microphone 3 microphone array for great call clarity Voice Assistant Integration Wake Word Alexa Voice Assistant The voice assistant language selection needs to be selected in the Bang & Olufsen App Fast Pairing Made for Iphone (MFi) Google Fast Pair Microsoft Swift Pair | Bluetooth | Bluetooth Version 4.2 Inputs and Outputs USB-C For Charging 3.5mm Mini-Jack On-Device Controls Power Button Bluetooth Connect Button Play/Pause Button Volume up/down buttons | Bluetooth |
| speaker type | Portable Bluetooth Speaker | Portable Bluetooth Speaker | Portable Bluetooth Speaker | Outdoor, Bookshelf | Bookshelf | Bookshelf |
| mounting type | Freestanding | Portable | Freestanding | Freestanding | Table Top | Freestanding |
| weight | 558 grams | 0.56 kilograms | 0.56 kilograms | 1.4 pounds | 5.95 pounds | 1.4 pounds |
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Great sound.
Intuitive operation.Minus a star as is landfill eventually, well actually hazardous waste. As YOU CANNOT CHANGE THE BATTERY WHEN IT DIES!!! WTH?
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2020
I specifically wanted: (1) reliable, high quality audio for conferencing and music, (2) small footprint, (3) cable-free / wireless operation, and (4) long battery life.
On paper, the B&O Beosound A1 seemed ideal; however after extensive research I felt like I would be paying a premium for the small form factor while compromising on sound quality (ref Alan Ross YouTube videos) and perhaps battery life. I decided to take the plunge as I could return the unit if it disappointed.
The unit was delivered on time and I was very impressed with the packaging, instruction booklet, physical quality, and straightforward button layout. Setup and software update using the B&O iOS app was intuitive and almost effortless. Pairing the unit with my MacBook Pro and selecting the microphone and speaker in MacOS preferences was routine. The unit charged from 80% to 100% using my MacBook Pro USBC power adapter in about 2 hours. I immediately tested music playback and found it acceptable and inline with Alan Ross’s review (good highs and mids, less than robust bass, and sound quality highly sensitive to speaker placement / tweeter orientation). I also observed that the unit would power off after a period of inactivity and was concerned that I might have to reset the speaker and microphone connections after turning the unit back on. All in all these were potential complications I could live with.
The unit passed its inaugural 1 hour Microsoft Teams meeting / video conference with flying colors the following day: powering it up reestablished wireless Bluetooth pairing, plus microphone and speaker assignments; and audio quality was reliable and exceptional throughout the meeting. This is the primary reason I purchased the unit, so I was ready to claim mission accomplished. However, a surprise was in store.
After my conference call I decided to check battery level using the B&O app — the unit was at 95% after a few hours of experimenting with music playback, letting the unit sit overnight and a 1 hour conference call in the morning. That was reassuring, but while in the app my attention was drawn to the app’s Equalizer feature which I had glossed over during setup and did not examine during my prior musical exploration -- so I decided decompress to random selections from my Apple Music library while also testing the equalizer settings.
Wow, I was blown away by the difference in sound quality using the equalizer — particularly the Ambient setting. I listened to selections from John Williams, Florence + the Machine, Acadia, Los Lonely Boys, Makaveli, Chick Corea, James Blake, Lydia Low, Ani DiFranco, Prince, Coldplay, Matisyahu, Public Enemy, Anthony and The Johnsons, Yael Naim and others. The range featured classical, R&B, rock, reggae, metal, alternative, singer songwriter, vocal, instrumental, a cappella — an excellent sample of what I listen to — and nothing disappointed: Sound clarity is excellent, highs are bright, mids are uniform and punchy, lows are deep and moving for a 5" speaker, and volume is excellent for my use case (personal audio — not throwing a party).
Net-net: It turns out that the Beosound A1 2nd Gen was a no compromises purchase for my requirements. The form factor perfectly matches my minimal Mac setup, the conferencing functionality is great and the sound quality is exceptional for my musical tastes. This product is of the best purchases I’ve made.
Color: AnthraciteVerified Purchase
Excellent - Perfect for minimal Mac setup
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2020
I purchased the B&O Beosound A1 2nd Gen to improve my MacBook Pro - based, 2 cable (1 monitor power cord, 1 USBC to drive the external monitor + power my MacBook Pro) work from home setup. My work area is limited and in the middle of my kitchen / living / dining area — so aesthetics are also a factor.Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2020
I specifically wanted: (1) reliable, high quality audio for conferencing and music, (2) small footprint, (3) cable-free / wireless operation, and (4) long battery life.
On paper, the B&O Beosound A1 seemed ideal; however after extensive research I felt like I would be paying a premium for the small form factor while compromising on sound quality (ref Alan Ross YouTube videos) and perhaps battery life. I decided to take the plunge as I could return the unit if it disappointed.
The unit was delivered on time and I was very impressed with the packaging, instruction booklet, physical quality, and straightforward button layout. Setup and software update using the B&O iOS app was intuitive and almost effortless. Pairing the unit with my MacBook Pro and selecting the microphone and speaker in MacOS preferences was routine. The unit charged from 80% to 100% using my MacBook Pro USBC power adapter in about 2 hours. I immediately tested music playback and found it acceptable and inline with Alan Ross’s review (good highs and mids, less than robust bass, and sound quality highly sensitive to speaker placement / tweeter orientation). I also observed that the unit would power off after a period of inactivity and was concerned that I might have to reset the speaker and microphone connections after turning the unit back on. All in all these were potential complications I could live with.
The unit passed its inaugural 1 hour Microsoft Teams meeting / video conference with flying colors the following day: powering it up reestablished wireless Bluetooth pairing, plus microphone and speaker assignments; and audio quality was reliable and exceptional throughout the meeting. This is the primary reason I purchased the unit, so I was ready to claim mission accomplished. However, a surprise was in store.
After my conference call I decided to check battery level using the B&O app — the unit was at 95% after a few hours of experimenting with music playback, letting the unit sit overnight and a 1 hour conference call in the morning. That was reassuring, but while in the app my attention was drawn to the app’s Equalizer feature which I had glossed over during setup and did not examine during my prior musical exploration -- so I decided decompress to random selections from my Apple Music library while also testing the equalizer settings.
Wow, I was blown away by the difference in sound quality using the equalizer — particularly the Ambient setting. I listened to selections from John Williams, Florence + the Machine, Acadia, Los Lonely Boys, Makaveli, Chick Corea, James Blake, Lydia Low, Ani DiFranco, Prince, Coldplay, Matisyahu, Public Enemy, Anthony and The Johnsons, Yael Naim and others. The range featured classical, R&B, rock, reggae, metal, alternative, singer songwriter, vocal, instrumental, a cappella — an excellent sample of what I listen to — and nothing disappointed: Sound clarity is excellent, highs are bright, mids are uniform and punchy, lows are deep and moving for a 5" speaker, and volume is excellent for my use case (personal audio — not throwing a party).
Net-net: It turns out that the Beosound A1 2nd Gen was a no compromises purchase for my requirements. The form factor perfectly matches my minimal Mac setup, the conferencing functionality is great and the sound quality is exceptional for my musical tastes. This product is of the best purchases I’ve made.
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