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Bang & Olufsen Unveils Beosound A1 3rd Gen Bluetooth Speaker

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Bang & Olufsen has just launched the Beosound A1, the third generation of its award-winning portable Bluetooth speaker offering enhanced performance features.

beoplay-a1-speaker-3rd-gen-1.jpg

Created in collaboration with Danish designer Cecilie Manz, the new A1 maintains the speaker's distinctive minimalist aesthetic while introducing some notable improvements to its audio capabilities and environmental credentials.

The premium portable speaker features a pearl-blasted aluminum body with over 2,100 precision-milled holes and a soft waterproof leather strap. It comes in three finishes: the classic Natural Aluminium plus two nature-inspired additions – Honey Tone and Eucalyptus Green.

Sonic upgrades include what B&O claims is the largest woofer in its class, delivering deeper bass with a Bass SPL of 64dB – 2dB more than the previous model. Battery life has been extended to 24 hours, and the speaker retains Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity with Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair support. The speaker also now comes with support for the aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec.

The A1 3rd Gen carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so you can take it into the shower or to the beach. It also has a three-microphone array for using it as a speakerphone for calls.

beoplay-a1-3rd-gen-colors.jpeg

The A1 features modular architecture designed for a 10-year lifetime and is the first Bluetooth speaker to receive Cradle to Cradle certification (Bronze level). B&O says the certification "aims to support a serviceable, upgradeable, and repairable approach to product design." The company offers a replaceable battery service and up to 5 years warranty with Beocare. We reviewed the first-generation model way back in 2016, and it's still going strong.

The Beosound A1 3rd Gen is available in the United States for $349 (£299 in the UK) from Bang & Olufsen brick-and-mortar stores and the company's website.


Article Link: Bang & Olufsen Unveils Beosound A1 3rd Gen Bluetooth Speaker
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/07/bang-olufsen-beosound-a1-3rd-gen-bluetooth-speaker/
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A fantastic Bluetooth speaker. Use it a lot around the house, balcony, and bring it on trips etc. Had they given Airplay II support to it, I would make me switch to the new generation.

Also the earlier version has the replaceable battery service and was one big reason I got mine to begin with.

Haven't tried it and don't have the need, but appreciate the fact that two of these can be connected for stereo channel output.
 
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Mrkevinfinnerty said:
Nice. Don't see that often with these kind of devices.
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This should be the rule, not the exception. I still can't digest the fact that 249$ AirPods Pro become trash after 2-3 years of heavy use, just because the battery cells are death, and there is no human way to replace them. After burning through 2 sets, I went back to my 20 years old wired Sony headphones and they still work like on day one.
 
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$350 for a pocket-sized speaker. Unless it sounds like I’m listening to the word of god, that is a HARD HARD HAAAAAARD pass. It’s more than a pass, it’s practically an SNL sketch.

Oh, and that’s up $100 from the previous gen, which was an equally amusing $250. So that’s what tariffs look like, my friends.

But to be fair, they DO provide a $50 discount if you purchase two of them for the stereo effect.

Oh no, wait, they don’t. Because why incentivize buying two, when they already are selling this to someone willing to pay $350 for ONE.
 
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ThisIsMike said:
$350 for a pocket-sized speaker. Unless it sounds like I’m listening to the word of god, that is a HARD HARD HAAAAAARD pass. It’s more than a pass, it’s practically an SNL sketch.

Oh, and that’s up $100 from the previous gen, which was an equally amusing $250. So that’s what tariffs look like, my friends.

But to be fair, they DO provide a $50 discount if you purchase two of them for the stereo effect.

Oh no, wait, they don’t. Because why incentivize buying two, when they already are selling this to someone willing to pay $350 for ONE.
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TO each his own. We spent over $350,000 on a car. Most wouldn't spend 1/4 of that.
 
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wonderings said:
I am sure they sound great, but from the picture they look pretty generic and cheap.
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They are one of those products that when you see & touch them in person, the build and materials used just ooze a sense of quality.

Also, some of the best design can look 'generic' in a sense, given that good design doesn't include unnecessary flourish and embellishment for the sake of it.
 
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Shifts said:
That is not the feeling you get when holding one. They are substantial in weight, size and feel.
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I don't doubt it, but the pictures look cheap and plastic. I would imagine they would get roasted pretty quickly online if they were not at least quality materials.
 
ThisIsMike said:
$350 for a pocket-sized speaker. Unless it sounds like I’m listening to the word of god, that is a HARD HARD HAAAAAARD pass. It’s more than a pass, it’s practically an SNL sketch.

Oh, and that’s up $100 from the previous gen, which was an equally amusing $250. So that’s what tariffs look like, my friends.

But to be fair, they DO provide a $50 discount if you purchase two of them for the stereo effect.

Oh no, wait, they don’t. Because why incentivize buying two, when they already are selling this to someone willing to pay $350 for ONE.
Click to expand...
It’s €349 in the Netherlands as well, so unfortunately the same price hike here in the EU. Yeah, it’s too much. 2nd available at a discount now though.
 
Cicnod said:
TO each his own. We spent over $350,000 on a car. Most wouldn't spend 1/4 of that.
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I’ve seen some pretty nice cars. Does this speaker sound 200-300 dollars BETTER than other high quality pocket speakers on the market? Because I’m guessing not.

But hey, if it does, I’d be interested to know.
 
sunapple said:
It’s €349 in the Netherlands as well, so unfortunately the same price hike here in the EU. Yeah, it’s too much. 2nd available at a discount now though.
Click to expand...
lol okay, then not tariffs. Inflation? Pure greed? Here I come, England!

How much is the discounted older model? Gonna guess $200.
 
MacRumors said:


Bang & Olufsen has just launched the Beosound A1, the third generation of its award-winning portable Bluetooth speaker offering enhanced performance features.

beoplay-a1-speaker-3rd-gen-1.jpg

Created in collaboration with Danish designer Cecilie Manz, the new A1 maintains the speaker's distinctive minimalist aesthetic while introducing some notable improvements to its audio capabilities and environmental credentials.

The premium portable speaker features a pearl-blasted aluminum body with over 2,100 precision-milled holes and a soft waterproof leather strap. It comes in three finishes: the classic Natural Aluminium plus two nature-inspired additions – Honey Tone and Eucalyptus Green.

Sonic upgrades include what B&O claims is the largest woofer in its class, delivering deeper bass with a Bass SPL of 64dB – 2dB more than the previous model. Battery life has been extended to 24 hours, and the speaker retains Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity with Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair support. The speaker also now comes with support for the aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec.

The A1 3rd Gen carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so you can take it into the shower or to the beach. It also has a three-microphone array for using it as a speakerphone for calls.

beoplay-a1-3rd-gen-colors.jpeg

The A1 features modular architecture designed for a 10-year lifetime and is the first Bluetooth speaker to receive Cradle to Cradle certification (Bronze level). B&O says the certification "aims to support a serviceable, upgradeable, and repairable approach to product design." The company offers a replaceable battery service and up to 5 years warranty with Beocare. We reviewed the first-generation model way back in 2016, and it's still going strong.

The Beosound A1 3rd Gen is available in the United States for $349 (£299 in the UK) from Bang & Olufsen brick-and-mortar stores and the company's website.


Article Link: Bang & Olufsen Unveils Beosound A1 3rd Gen Bluetooth Speaker
Click to expand...

The sound of these speakers is incredible - perfect on a swimming mattress or in the grass - for balcony railing the cord is not long enough to fix at (we replaced with a longer one)

We enjoy them all from B&O

Better sound is provided by the small but not same robust Beoplay A2 Active (in face of a wall you are in a concert hall)

The 3rd step is our B&O Beosound 2 (220V) - marvellous! - As well as Beosound A9 for big rooms in a house

All the new small ones are not to mention in comparison to the above systems
 
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Ahhhhhh, ok, I’ve checked out their site more. The 350,000 car comparison is apt. What’s intriguing to me is that there are a handful of more reasonably priced products, while the majority are in the nosebleed territory. I wonder why they offer those? It kind of undermines what they’re going for.

Hey, to each their own I guess!
 
flottenheimer said:
Got one. Don't know if it is Gen1 or Gen2 — but it sure sounds great for a device this size.
Highly recommend for anyone wanting a compact, top-quality, great looking, portable bluetooth speaker.

Mine is in Moss Green which I think looks phenomenal. ;D

View attachment 2508809
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By your picture I'd guess you take it backpacking? That would be my primary use for something like this. Seems like the build is robust enough for the soggy, rocky places I tend to hike.

Nice photo, by the way!
 
B&O avoid at all costs. Premium price for some of the worst software support. I remember having a product of theirs claiming up to 12 hours lasting around an hour only if volume was high 😂
 
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flottenheimer said:
Got one. Don't know if it is Gen1 or Gen2 — but it sure sounds great for a device this size.
Highly recommend for anyone wanting a compact, top-quality, great looking, portable bluetooth speaker.

Mine is in Moss Green which I think looks phenomenal. ;D

View attachment 2508809
Click to expand...

Plot Twist: You are listening to nature sounds in the forest. ;)

But yes, B&O is great and supporting a Danish company is even better - plus Cradle to Cradle should be mandatory, especially in the technology sector. I have a Sonos Roam for both travelling and in my home (paired with other Sonos speakers) but weren't it for Sonos I'd definitely buy a B&O sound system.
 
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