Bang and Olufson are one of those big names in audio. One that is familiar to people and usually associated with a certain level of prestige and sound quality. Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 does stand out in the smorgasbord of quality that is the portable Bluetooth speaker market, with good (and practical) looks, generous battery life and a clear, full-bodied sound.
The modern design is really nice and the leather and metal combo really makes this feel as premium as it’s price is. It also sounds worthy of the £200 price tag, but there was still some issues that I can’t ignore. The issue I had with it were the tiny, squishy buttons. If they were maybe a little bigger I think it wouldn’t be too big an issue, but the small size combined with the weird feel just doesn’t work for me. Squishy buttons and crappy battery life aside, the A1 is probably the best looking and best sounding portable speaker I’ve tested.
Good
Solid, weighty sound
Decent bass
Tonally balanced
Gorgeous design
Can pair with another A1
Generous battery life
Bad
Sound lacks sparkle and rhythm
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 Specification
2 x 140W at Peak Power
Aluminum Core Subwoofer
Bluetooth v4.2
Stereo Pairing
Up to 24-Hour Rechargeable Battery
Compatible with Beoplay App
Built-In Mic and On-Device Call Controls
3.5mm Jack and USB Type-C Charging Port
Designed by Cecilie Manz
Soft Leather Carrying Strap
