Bang & Olufsen’s newest Bluetooth speaker manages to make an influence in a crowded market dominated by the likes of JBL and UE. Positive, it is expensive, however the sound, construct high quality, and environmental credentials handle to make it possible for the A1 Gen 3 stands out compared to its quite a few rivals.
I’ve been taking part in with the A1 gen 3 for the previous few weeks, and B&O’s newest waterproof Bluetooth speaker is tremendous spectacular given its compact measurement. Let’s take a deeper take a look at what probably the greatest Bluetooth audio system of 2025.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third gen evaluate: Cheat Sheet
What’s it? An incredible sounding and searching moveable Bluetooth speaker
What does it price? $399/£299
Who’s it for? A conveyable speaker for the fashion and sound-conscious
What will we like? The way in which that it seems to be, its sound, and the renewable credentials
What don’t we like? It’s fairly costly for the dimensions, and there’s a bit bass influence lacking
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third gen: Specs
Worth: $399/£299
Colours: Pure Aluminum/Heat Granite/Honey Tone/Eucalyptus Inexperienced
Measurement: H x 1.8” D x 5.2″
Weight: 1.27 kilos
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
Bluetooth vary: as much as 33 ft (10 m)
Customized EQ: Sure
Voice assistant: No
Multi-speaker connectivity: Sure
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third gen evaluate: Worth and availability
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The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third gen just isn’t an affordable speaker, particularly when you think about its measurement. It prices $399 within the U.S., making it dearer than the comparable Final Ears and JBL choices of the same form and measurement. If you wish to spend rather less, then the JBL Flip and Cost 6 audio system are maybe extra your tempo.
The speaker is made out of aluminum, making it really feel tremendous premium within the hand. It sounds a lot better than the aforementioned options as properly, and matches the competitors relating to waterproofing and ruggedization because of an IP67 score. It’s a dearer possibility, that a lot is definite, nevertheless it’s simply value that greater price ticket.
You received’t have any bother getting maintain of 1 both. It’s accessible on the B&O web site, for one, however you’ll additionally spot it on Amazon and different retailers.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third gen evaluate: Design
- Beautiful, trendy design language
- Very sturdy and well-built
- Nice environmental credentials
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B&O’s Scandinavian design language is certainly one of my favorites in audio. The Beosound A1 third gen is not any departure from the norm both, even when it does look awfully related. There may be little right here that has modified from the earlier 2 generations, however given how good these audio system look, I’m not bothered within the slightest. It’s a type of audio puck, with an aluminum speaker grille and a soft-touch backside.
The aluminum feels nice within the hand, and makes positive you recognize the place your giant spend goes. It’s finely milled for every gap, the facility LED hidden amongst them in the direction of the ‘prime’ of the machine.
Irrespective of the colour you purchase you’ll get a love anodized end throughout the metallic portion of the speaker. The decrease portion is a plastic affair that’s coated with a high-quality smooth contact floor. All collectively, it makes the speaker really feel just like the piece of premium audio gear that you just had been anticipating if you put down your $400.
It’s constructed properly, too, so you recognize that it’s going to final a superb very long time. B&O definitely is aware of that the speaker itself can final. In a plus for the atmosphere, you possibly can ship your Beosound A1 third gen off to B&O to get the battery changed, together with different modular parts. It’s a disgrace they are not user-replaceable, nevertheless it’s a begin, given how typically Bluetooth audio system develop into e-waste the second the battery stops holding a cost.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third gen evaluate: Connectivity and management
- Helpful buttons
- Bluetooth 5.1
- No WiFi
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As appears to be the norm at this level, I report that there isn’t any Wi-Fi on board the A1 third gen. If you would like Wi-Fi at this worth or measurement, you’re going to need to go to one of many Sonos moveable choices within the type of the Transfer 2 or the Roam 2. The latter is far smaller, whereas the previous is bigger and dearer — each are glorious in their very own proper.
I’m not too bothered concerning the lack of Wi-Fi in the long term, although. The speaker nonetheless sounds glorious over Bluetooth, and I’ve by no means discovered myself asking for extra constancy. Bluetooth 5.1 is loads, and it means you get aptX Adaptive, which is at all times a pleasant bonus. It’s steady, and I’ve by no means had any points with the connection dropping out over the course of my testing.
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You possibly can management the entire bundle with the B&O app, and it’s a useful, versatile management possibility. It’s free to put in and stuffed with an EQ, a intelligent visible sound manipulation system, and all of the system settings you may ever want. The EQ isn’t fully vital, however for those who wish to play with the sound of your gear, it’s a stable technique.
On the facet of the speaker, you’ll discover the buttons. To assist with waterproofing, they’re all rubberized choices constructed into the soft-touch floor, they usually’re all good and clicky. I actually like the best way that they really feel beneath the finger, and also you’ll haven’t any challenge altering the amount, taking part in and pausing your music or initiating the Bluetooth pairing.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third gen evaluate: Sound high quality
- Glorious element and mid-range
- Sounds bigger than its measurement
- Maybe missing a bit bass
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As you would possibly anticipate from one thing smaller just like the Beosound A1 third gen, there’s maybe a bit bass influence that’s left by the wayside. That’s not fully sudden, and it by no means as soon as put a serious dampener on the best way that the speaker sounded to my ears. As a result of general, the A1 third gen is an exemplary performer by virtually each sonic metric.
The mids are extremely well-rounded, with some nice vocals and guitars to point out what they will do. The highs are effervescent and detailed, making for a really pleasing pay attention certainly. The bass is energetic and enjoyable. Contemplating the competitors and their have to make as a lot low-end as potential, often on the expense of the remainder of the ensemble, it makes for a refreshing change.
The speaker can get surprisingly loud for it’s measurement, and I uncommonly discovered little or no distortion or any undesirable lack of weight as I elevated the volumes to its higher echelons. It’s not going to be sufficient to energy a home occasion, nevertheless it’ll greater than fill a front room with good sound, or a university dorm room.
I didn’t discover the sound modified an excessive amount of relying on how I paced the speaker both, so you possibly can grasp it from the wall or place it on a cupboard with out concern that you just received’t get the identical glorious sound.
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Earthrise’s However What If We’re Unsuitable builds with spectacular dynamism, every component including to the general quantity of the monitor. However every component stays properly outlined, by no means changing into inaudible as extra devices be part of the soundscape. The distorted guitars are thick and properly positioned, and the drums are expertly timed. The higher register is the place the speaker sings, bringing glorious element to cymbals, harp strings, and acoustic guitar plucks. The piano is weighty — for one thing this measurement, it’s a exceptional efficiency that’s positive to wow even essentially the most keen Bluetooth speaker sceptic.
Ozzy’s basic Mama I’m Coming Residence hits the heartstrings extra now than it ever did, and the Beosound A1 third does the Prince of Darkness excellent justice. The country-style slide guitar sounds nice, with loads of bend and physique. The bass guitar is outlined, and because the track will get heavier, it stays straightforward to seek out. The guitar solo soars past the boundaries of the speaker — and Ozzy’s voice rings out with readability.
Luude’s drum & bass model of Down Beneath brings the bass, and whereas it’s not sufficient to shake the home windows, there’s nonetheless loads so as to add some physique to proceedings. It’s partaking and energetic, ensuring that you just wish to stand up and dance. The vocal samples are properly separated amongst the sub-bass din, and the drums are tight and managed.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third gen evaluate: Battery life
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There’s not a lot to say about battery life — there’s 24 hours on faucet in response to B&O, which is barely greater than the likes of the UE Increase 4. The A1 can also be a complete lot dearer than that speaker, so that you’d hope there have been bonuses past the construct high quality and sound profile. Nonetheless, that’s greater than the equally priced Bose possibility and about the identical because the Sonos Transfer 2.
Take it away from the specs sheet, and issues stay constructive. I used the speaker from absolutely charged for about 10 hours, and the battery dropped to about 60% — so these battery life figures from B&O would appear to ring true.
You cost the A1 third gen via its USB-C port, which as an additional bonus, may also be used to hearken to music wired with the speaker. That’s an enormous bonus, and one thing I’m seeing on fewer and fewer choices. Charging takes round 3 hours, which is on the lengthy facet, however you should utilize it whereas charging.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third gen evaluate: Verdict
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The Beosound A1 Gen 3 is an excellent speaker, held again by solely a few minor factors. It’s fairly costly, and there are equally sized audio system for much less do you have to not wish to pony up the {dollars} for the B&O possibility. That’s comprehensible — and for those who’re on a finances the UE Increase 4 and MegaBoom 4 are most likely extra up your alley.
However, for individuals who take the monetary plunge, the Beosound A1 third gen is about as scrumptious and unctuous as you would possibly hope. Identical to that brownie you’ve been making an attempt to justify if you went out for lunch, it’s as wealthy and splendid as the value suggests. If it had been my cash, I’d purchase the A1.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Era: Worth Comparability
