Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (third Gen) evaluation: Excellent for out of doors music

Worth When Reviewed

£299

Greatest Costs Right this moment: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (third Gen)

£299

£299

Bang & Olufen’s Beosound A1 is likely one of the costlier moveable audio system at the moment out there – particularly given its comparatively modest dimensions. It packs rather a lot into that compact design, although, combining spectacular sound high quality and good battery life with a rugged design that’s best for out of doors use.

Priced at $399/£299 and out there in a wide range of colors, that is really the third-generation model of the A1, with the earlier second-gen mannequin having been launched in 2021. The outward look of this new mannequin hasn’t modified in any respect, sticking with B&O’s distinctive round design with a perforated aluminium grille on prime.

That second-gen mannequin continues to be out there from Amazon and different on-line shops, although, so be sure to purchase the proper mannequin when ordering on-line. Thoughts you, the second-gen mannequin has additionally had a worth reduce to round $199/£160 ($149.99 and £147.25 within the Amazon Prime Day sale), which is a superb worth if you happen to’re on the lookout for a cut price.

For extra Prime Day offers on audio gear see our spherical up of the greatest Prime Day AirPods offers, which incorporates an assortment of different earbuds too.

The low-profile metallic design of the A1 seems to be nice, and it measures simply 46mm excessive and 133mm in diameter, and weighs 576g, so it’s simple to slide it right into a backpack or bag once you’re travelling. It’s sturdily constructed although, with that metallic case boasting an IP67 ranking for water and dust-resistance. Which means that it’s fully sealed in opposition to mud and different small particles, and might survive being fully immersed in water as much as one metre deep for half-hour.

That makes it best to be used outdoor, on a seaside vacation, or if you happen to simply need to have a little bit of a sing-along within the bathe within the morning. The bottom of the speaker has a non-slip rubber coating to assist preserve it protected, and there’s a leather-based wrist-rap as effectively, though it’s a disgrace that such an costly speaker doesn’t embody a carrying case too.

New options on this third-gen mannequin embody a brand new 3.25-inch woofer, which is designed to offer stronger bass than the earlier mannequin. Increased frequencies are dealt with by an 0.6-inch tweeter, with the 2 drivers offering a wholesome 60W output. Battery life has improved too, rising from 18 hours to 24 hours when enjoying music at medium quantity.

It’s just a little odd that the A1 nonetheless depends on the comparatively previous Bluetooth 5.1, as current updates to Bluetooth have helped to enhance energy effectivity even additional. Even so, 24 hours of music ought to nonetheless see you thru a protracted weekend, and the A1 helps each Apple’s AAC codec for Bluetooth audio, and aptX Adaptive for Android customers.

There’s a wired choice as effectively, because the A1 has a USB-C interface that can be utilized to each cost the battery and supply a wired audio enter on the similar time. This implies you can plug it right into a laptop computer once you’re away from dwelling in an effort to cost the speaker and use it as an exterior speaker for the laptop computer as effectively.

The one factor that stops the A1 from being the proper moveable speaker for Apple customers is that it doesn’t help Wi-Fi or AirPlay – as some inexpensive moveable audio system do, such because the JBL Authentics 300 or Sonos Roam 2. See our spherical up of the Greatest AirPlay Audio system.

However, in fact, it’s sound high quality that issues most, and the A1 produces a surprisingly robust and clear sound for such a compact speaker. Muse are at all times wager for the summer season competition season, and the A1 has loads of energy to deal with the prog-rock mayhem of Knights Of Cydonia. The observe’s galloping drum beat hits the bottom working with a agency, exact rhythm, and Matt Bellamy’s falsetto rings out loud and clear because the band do their greatest Queen impersonation. Our solely criticism right here is that a number of the increased frequencies can lack influence, and a few sounds – such because the mariachi horns within the opening part – get just a little overwhelmed by the headbanging guitars and drums.

Compact audio system resembling this will additionally wrestle with bass output too, however the A1 manages to get right down to the bouncing digital bass on Dangerous Man by Billie Eilish. There’s a easy tone to Billie’s voice as she whispers – “I’m solely good at being unhealthy” – and a crisp, sharp sound to the finger snaps that float above. The actually deep bass pulse that ends the observe could possibly be just a little firmer, however that’s asking rather a lot from such a small speaker, and the A1 is nearly as good as you’ll get from a speaker of this dimension.

Do you have to purchase B&Os Besound A1 (third gen)?

There are actually inexpensive moveable audio system out there, however the Beosound A1 can earn its preserve once you’re out and about this summer season. It supplies spectacular sound high quality for such a compact and light-weight speaker, and it’s nice you can cost it and play music from a laptop computer on the similar time. And, in fact, its rugged design makes it best for out of doors use, even on a sandy seaside or a muddy music competition.