Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) review: Perfect for outdoor music

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Beosound A1 of Bang & Olufen is one of the most expensive portable speakers currently available – in particular given its relatively modest dimensions. However, it accumulates a lot in this compact design, combining impressive sound quality and good autonomy with a robust design ideal for outdoor use.

At a price of $ 399 / £ 299 and available in a variety of colors, this is in fact the third generation version of the A1, the previous second generation model having been launched in 2021. The external appearance of this new model has not changed at all, respecting the distinctive circular design of B&O with a perforated aluminum grid on the top.

This second generation model is still available on Amazon and other online stores, so be sure to buy the correct model when ordering online. Please note, the second generation model has also reduced the price to around $ 199 /160 £ 160 ($ 149.99 and £ 147.25 in the Amazon Prime Day sale), which is an advantageous price if you are looking for a good deal.

For offers more first day on audio equipment, consult our gathering of the best AirPods of large day, which also includes an assortment of other headphones.

The metallic design with low profile of the A1 looks great, and it is only 46 mm high and 133 mm in diameter, and weighs 576 g, so it is easy to slip it into a backpack or a bag when you travel. However, it is solid, with this metal case offering an IP67 note for resistance to water and dust. This means that it is completely sealed against dust and other small particles, and can survive to be completely immersed in the water up to a meter deep for 30 minutes.

This makes it ideal for use outside, on vacation at the beach, or if you just want to have a little singing in the shower in the morning. The base of the speaker has a non-slip rubber coating to help keep it safe, and there is also a leather wrist refine, although it is a shame that a speaker so expensive does not include a transport case either.

The new features of this third generation model include a new 3.25 -inch Woofer, which is designed to provide stronger bass than the previous model. Higher frequencies are managed by a 0.6 -inch tweeter, the two drivers offering a healthy output of 60 W. The battery life has also improved, from 18 hours to 24 hours when you play music at an average volume.

It is a bit strange that the A1 is always based on relatively old Bluetooth 5.1, because the recent Bluetooth updates have helped to further improve the efficiency of energy. Despite this, 24 hours of music should always see you throughout a long weekend, and the A1 supports Apple’s AAC codec for Bluetooth audio, and adaptive APTX for Android users.

There is also a cable option, because the A1 has a USB-C interface which can be used to load the battery and provide a wired audio input at the same time. This means that you can connect it to a laptop when you are far from your home to load the speaker and use it as an external speaker for the laptop.

The only thing that prevents the A1 from being the ideal portable speaker for Apple users is that it does not support Wi-Fi or aerodrome-as some cheaper portable speakers do, such as the Authentics 300 or Sonos Roam 2. See our overview of the best AirPlay speakers.

But, of course, it is a sound quality that counts the most, and the A1 produces a surprisingly very strong and clear sound for a compact speaker. Muse is always a good bet for the summer festival season, and the A1 has a lot of power to manage the chaos of prog-rock of the Knights of Cydonia. The slinging drum beat of the track strikes the floor by running with a firm and precise rhythm, and the Matt Bellamy’s fadmer rings out loud and clearly while the group does their best imitation of the Queen. Our only complaint here is that some of the highest frequencies can lack impact, and certain sounds – such as Mariachis horns in the opening section – are a little overwhelmed by guitars and head drums.

Compact speakers like this can also fight with bass production, but the A1 manages to descend to bouncing electronic bass on the villain of Billie Eilish. There is a smooth tone with Billie’s voice as she whispers – “I’m not good to be bad” – and a net and net sound with fingers floating above. The truly deep bass impulse which finishes the track could be a little firmer, but it takes a lot of such a small speaker, and the A1 is as good as you get a speaker of this size.

Should you buy B & OS Besound A1 (3rd generation)?

There are certainly cheaper portable speakers available, but the Beosound A1 can earn its outfit when you’ve been released this summer. It offers an impressive sound quality for such a compact and light speaker, and it is great that you can load it and play music from a laptop at the same time. And, of course, its robust design makes it ideal for outdoor use, even on a sandy beach or a muddy music festival.