Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (Gen 3) Review: Perpetually Great
Back in 2016, The original Bluetooth A1 speaker (8/10, Wired Recomds) was one of the first in Bang & Olufsen under its more affordable Beosound sub-brand. The elegant washer of brushed aluminum was a welcome antidote in all the rubberized Bluetooth boxes, and in testimony of a good design, aesthetically it has changed little through three generations.
The third generation Beosound A1 has just been launched, and although the design remains immediately recognizable and cool without effort, it has undergone a complete treatment and now sounds better and is more durable than ever. It is one of the most beautiful portable speakers that I have never listened to, and remains as coveted as ever.
Same skin, new entrails
Photography: Chris Haslam
So what’s new? First of all, there are two new finishes to accompany classic aluminum – the tone of Mony (my journal sample) and Eucalyptus Green. The speaker is seriously well done and perfectly finished. It seems and also feels premium as it should be for $ 399.
There is an adjustment on the design of the leather strap, but the important changes come from the inside. According to B & O, the 3rd generation A1 has the largest woofer in its class (3¼ inches), with a claimed bass spp of 64 dB, which is 2 dB higher than the 2nd generation model. The battery life has also increased, from 18 to 24 hours. Interestingly, Alexa Voice Assistant was abandoned, according to B&O directly – customers did not want it. It always has a microphone and therefore still works as a speaker.
The A1 Gen 3 is also the first certified Bluetooth cradle (bronze level) in the world. In simple terms, the speaker has a modular design which can be both improved and repaired, helping to extend its lifespan. The batteries can be replaced, for example, if you take your speaker to a Bang & Olufsen store. The brand’s commitment to longevity and sustainability must be congratulated and helps justify premium prices.
Bluetooth 5.1 seems a little dated here, and means that there is no Auracast compatibility, but you always get multipoint connectivity, stereo torque and adaptive APTX compatibility. The IP67 rating guarantees dust and tightness, the more USB-C socket can be used for data transfer (future upgrades) as well as for load.
Weighing 1.2 pounds and measuring 5.24 in diameter x 1.81 inches high, the A1 is not Pochable, but it is not large enough to cause problems in a bag or backpack. There is no case of protection, but aluminum is difficult and has not shown any sick effect after a few weeks which were deliberately hit and jostled. The Critique Parker Hall abandoned the first and second generation speakers several times and has not noticed any horrible outfit, beyond a few small bumps. The leather transport strap is elegant, with a subtle but chic brand, and if you wish, you can use the IP67 speaker as an old-fashioned shower radio.
Generation game
Photography: Chris Haslam
Two class D class D amplifiers of 30 Watts (total power of 60 watts) perform the new 3D -ince -up Woofer in large size and a 0.6 inch tweeter, and together, they pump an impressive 360 degree audio.
