The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 is a small, lightweight speaker that comes with Alexa built-in. It has a very sturdy build, and even comes with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. It also has a carrying strap, letting you attach it to your bag so you can listen to music when you're on the go. It has a balanced mid-range, so vocals and lead instruments are reproduced accurately, but it struggles to produce low-bass, like many small speakers. Thankfully, its 'Beosonic' sound customization feature and EQ presets available in its companion app allow you to tweak its sound profile to your liking. Unfortunately, its battery life is very short, offering less than five hours of continuous playback on a single charge, but overall it's a suitable option if you want a portable speaker that has fantastic voice assistant support.
Our Verdict
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen is okay for music. It has a balanced mid-range, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix. However, its treble range is underemphasized, so the higher frequencies of these instruments may sound dark and veiled. Also, it struggles to produce low-bass. Thankfully, there's a 'Beosonic' sound customization feature and five EQ presets in its companion app that let you customize its sound profile to your liking. Although it doesn't get very loud, it has amazing directivity thanks to its 360-degree design, resulting in an open and spacious soundstage.
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EQ presets available in the companion app.
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Wide and spacious soundstage.
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Struggles to produce low-bass.
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Has to downmix stereo content into mono.
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Doesn't get very loud.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen is sub-par for watching videos and movies. It has amazing directivity thanks to its 360-degree design, resulting in a wide and spacious soundstage. However, it doesn't get very loud, and it struggles to produce low bass, so you don't feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed movie scenes. Thankfully, its mid-range is well-balanced, so dialogue sounds clear and present in the mix, though sibilants like S and T sounds may seem dark or veiled. It has low Bluetooth latency with iOS devices but high latency with Android devices, so it may not be suitable for watching videos over this connection. That said, some apps compensate for latency differently, so your results may vary.
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EQ presets available in the companion app.
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Struggles to produce low-bass.
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Has to downmix stereo content into mono.
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Doesn't get very loud.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen is good for podcasts. It has a balanced mid-range, so dialogue is reproduced clearly and accurately, though higher frequencies may sound dark. It supports multi-device pairing over Bluetooth, so you can frequently switch your audio source between your phone and laptop with no problem. You can take it with you on the go since it's very small and lightweight, but its battery lasts less than five hours. Thanks to its 360-degree design, it has incredible directivity, resulting in an even sound from all angles.
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EQ presets available in the companion app.
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Supports multi-device pairing.
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Has to downmix stereo content into mono.
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Doesn't get very loud.
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Short battery life.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen has incredible voice assistant support. It comes with Alexa built-in, though it relies on the Wi-Fi connection of your paired smartphone to work. It has no trouble understanding your voice, even if you're far away or in a noisy room. There's even a mic mute button if you want Alexa to stop listening to you.
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Voice assistant has no trouble understanding your voice.
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Mic mute button.
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Alexa support.
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Not Wi-Fi compatible.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen is okay for outdoor use. It's small and very portable, and even has a carrying strap that lets you attach it to your bag. It has a sturdy build and comes with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so you don't have to worry about it getting a bit wet from some light rain while outdoors. Also, it has amazing directivity, so audio sounds clear from all angles. However, its battery life is very short, offering less than five hours of continuous use on a single charge. Also, it doesn't get very loud.
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EQ presets available in the companion app.
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Feels very sturdy.
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IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
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Wide and spacious soundstage.
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Struggles to produce low-bass.
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Has to downmix stereo content into mono.
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Doesn't get very loud.
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Short battery life.
- 6.5 Music
- 5.8 Videos/Movies
- 7.7 Podcasts
- 9.1 Voice Assistant
- 6.7 Outdoors
- Updated Aug 18, 2022: Changed the test result for 'Microphone On/Off' from 'Yes' to 'Yes (Physical)' in the Controls box.
- Updated Jan 20, 2022: After retesting the speaker, we've changed the test results for USB Audio from 'No' to 'Yes' in the 'Wired' box, and have updated the text.
- Updated Jun 09, 2021: Updated the text to provide more information regarding the 'Beosonic' feature and EQ presets.
- Updated Jun 04, 2021: Updated results since this speaker doesn't support Party Mode.
- Updated Apr 27, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Apr 22, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Apr 16, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 16, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Apr 14, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
- Updated Apr 13, 2021: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen comes in five color variants: 'Black', 'Grey Mist', 'Green', 'Pink', and 'Gold', which isn't as widely available as the other colors. We tested the 'Black' variant, though we expect all variants to perform similarly in tests.
If you come across a variant of the Bang & Olufsen A1 Gen 2, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
The Bang & Olufsen A1 is a small, portable speaker with a sturdy build and removable carrying strap. Like many small speakers, it doesn't get very loud and struggles to reproduce low-bass. However, it has EQ presets and a 'Beosonic' sound customization feature, which let you adjust its sound profile to your liking. Also, Alexa comes built into this speaker, and can easily understand your commands, even if you're far away or in a noisy room, though it relies on the Wi-Fi connection of your paired smartphone to work. It's fairly suitable for outdoor use, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, but its battery doesn't last very long.
If you want to see more options, check out our recommendations for the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, the best outdoor speakers, and the best Alexa speakers.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 is a slightly better speaker than the Bose SoundLink Flex. The Bang & Olufsen offers a wider-sounding soundstage and comes with presets to tweak its sound to your liking. It also has fantastic voice assistant support with Alexa built-in, though it relies on your paired smartphone's Wi-Fi connection to work. That said, the Bose offers a better-balanced default sound profile and can get a bit louder. It also has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can vary depending on your usage.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore and the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 are similar speakers, though they have different strengths. The Gen 2 has a better-balanced sound profile and offers outstanding voice assistant support. However, the Explore has a wider-sounding soundstage and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which sounds more immersive. It also has a longer battery life, though this can depend on your usage habits, so your experience may vary.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 or the Anker Soundcore Motion+. The Bang & Olufsen offers outstanding voice assistant support with Alexa built-in and does an excellent job of understanding your commands from far and in noisy environments. It's also smaller, more portable, and better built than the Anker. That said, the Anker can get louder and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, which is more immersive. It also has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can depend on your usage and your real-world experience may differ.
The Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II is a slightly better speaker than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2, though they have different strengths. The Bose offers a better-balanced sound profile out of the box that can produce a more extended low bass. It also has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can depend on your usage, and your experience may differ. The Bang & Olufsen is more customizable thanks to its EQ presets and 'Beosonic' sound customization feature. It also offers fantastic voice assistant support with Alexa built-in and does an excellent job of understanding you from far and in noisier environments.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Bose Home Speaker 500 or the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2. The Bose is a stereo speaker that can produce a more extended low-bass and get louder with less compression at max volume. It offers outstanding voice assistant support with both Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. However, the Bang & Olufsen is a battery-powered portable speaker with EQ presets and a 'Beosonic' sound customization feature to tweak its sound. It also comes with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so you don't have to worry about it getting a bit wet or dusty while outdoors. That said, while it comes with Alexa built-in, it uses the Wi-Fi connection from your smartphone to work.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 and the Sonos Roam/Roam SL are similar speakers with different strengths. The Bang & Olufsen has better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage. Also, it has lower Bluetooth latency with iOS and Android devices, making it more suitable for watching movies and videos. The Sonos offers a slightly better-balanced sound profile and fantastic voice assistant support with its Roam variant. It's also Wi-Fi compatible and supports Apple AirPlay 2, which is ideal for Apple users.
The Bose SoundLink Revolve II is a slightly better speaker than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 overall. The Bose has a slightly better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. It also has a longer-lasting battery life, though this can depend on your usage, and your experience may vary. That said, the Bang & Olufsen is more customizable thanks to its EQ presets and 'Beosonic' sound customization feature. It also offers outstanding voice assistant support through your smartphone and does an excellent job of understanding your commands from far away and in noisier settings.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 is a better speaker than the JBL Flip 5. The Bang & Olufsen has a more solid build, and its directivity is better, so audio is more even from all angles. Also, it has a 'Beosonic' sound customization feature, EQ presets in its companion app, and comes with Alexa built-in, while the JBL doesn't support voice assistants. However, the JBL's battery lasts slightly longer.
The JBL Boombox 2 is a better speaker for most uses than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2. The JBL gets louder, has a longer battery life, and can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono. It also has a more extended low-bass. That said, the Bang & Olufsen offers an incredible voice assistant performance with Alexa built-in.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 and the Bose SoundLink Revolve are very similarly performing speakers. Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The Bose has a longer battery life. However, the Bang & Olufsen has a better voice assistant performance. It also comes with some EQ presets and its 'Beosonic' sound customization feature to help you adjust its sound to your liking.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 is a better speaker than the Anker Soundcore Flare 2. The Bang & Olufsen has Alexa built-in and understands voice commands very easily, while the Anker struggles to understand you. The Bang & Olufsen is better built, comes with a carrying strap, and is advertised as dustproof. However, the Anker's battery lasts longer, and it can play stereo content without downmixing it into mono.
The Apple HomePod (1st generation) is a better speaker than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2. The Apple gets louder and has a more extended low-bass and a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. It also supports Wi-Fi, while the Bang & Olufsen supports Bluetooth. However, it may be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued. That said, the Bang & Olufsen has a better build and a more portable design. There's also the 'Beosonic' feature and five EQ presets on its companion app to help you customize its sound.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a better speaker than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2, though they have many different strengths. The Ultimate Ears has a more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and it can play stereo content without downmixing it into mono. It gets louder, with less compression present at max volume. Also, its battery lasts for close to thirteen hours on a single charge, while the Bang & Olufsen lasts less than five hours. However, the B&O has a companion app with a 'Beosonic' sound customization feature and five EQ presets, so you can tweak its sound to your liking.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2 is a better speaker than the JBL Go 3. Only the Bang & Olufsen has voice assistant support, and it gets slightly louder. Although both lack low-bass, the Bang & Olufsen has a more extended bass, so you feel more of the deep, rumbling bass in genres like EDM and hip-hop. Also, the Bang & Olufsen has better directivity, resulting in a more open soundstage. However, the JBL has less Bluetooth latency with Android devices, so it's more suitable for watching videos over this connection.
Test Results
The Bang & Olufsen A1 is a small, circular speaker with a sleek design. It has a removable carrying strap, which lets you attach it to your bag. It also comes in several colors, so you can find a look that fits your style.
The Bang & Olufsen A1 is incredibly portable. It's very small and lightweight, so you can easily carry it with one hand. It also has a built-in carrying strap, letting you attach it to your bag. Since it's battery-powered, you can use it outside without worrying about plugging it into an outlet.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen has a great build quality. It's mostly aluminum, which feels solid, and it sits on a rubber base, so it doesn't slide around too much. It has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Its carrying strap is also advertised as waterproof, but the speaker isn't advertised to be impact resistant, so the manufacturer suggests trying not to drop the speaker.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 has amazing controls. There are several buttons located on each side of the speaker. These let you turn the speaker on/off, adjust the volume, and connect a device over Bluetooth. You can also press the Bluetooth button for five seconds to enter TWS mode, which lets you connect two speakers over Bluetooth to form a stereo pair. There's a play/pause button that you can press twice to skip a track or three times to go back. Also, you can short-press it to accept a call or long-press it to reject a call. There's a mic mute button, which you can press quickly to activate the voice assistant or hold for five seconds to mute the microphone.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen also has two lights that indicate the current setting and the remaining battery life. The speaker makes a sound when it enters TWS mode and when a device connects over Bluetooth.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen has a passable frequency response accuracy. Using the 'Optimal' EQ preset, it has a well-balanced mid-range that can produce vocals and lead instruments accurately. However, it lacks low-bass, so you don't feel the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy genres like EDM or hip-hop. Also, its treble range is underemphasized, so sibilants like cymbals and S and T sounds may seem dull or veiled. Thankfully, there's a 'Beosonic' sound customization feature and EQ presets featured on its companion app, so you can adjust its sound profile to your liking. For a Bang & Olufsen speaker that can produce a more extended low-bass, check out the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen has a decent soundstage. It has amazing directivity, so the soundstage is perceived as wide and spacious. However, unlike the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore and the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20, it has to downmix stereo content into mono, which doesn't sound as immersive.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen has a middling dynamics performance. It doesn't get very loud, and there's quite a bit of compression present when you push it to max volume, especially in the bass range. As a result, it may not be very suitable for use in large, crowded rooms.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen has poor battery performance. Although it's advertised to last for eighteen hours on a charge, it lasted less than five hours in our tests. That said, battery performance can vary based on usage, so your real-world experience may vary.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen has outstanding voice assistant capabilities. It comes with Alexa built-in, which you can activate with your voice. However, since the speaker isn't Wi-Fi enabled, it relies on the Wi-Fi connection from your paired smartphone to work. That said, it has no trouble understanding your voice, even if you're far away or in a noisy environment. There's also a mic mute button if you want Alexa to stop listening to you.
Update 06/09/2021: We updated the text to provide more information regarding the 'Beosonic' feature and EQ presets.
Update 06/04/2021: We updated the results since the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 doesn't support Party Mode.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1's app, Bang & Olufsen, is good, and is compatible with iOS and Android devices. The app has five EQ presets you can choose from, which you can customize by moving a 'Sound Level Circle'. It also comes with a 'Beosonic' feature which is located next to the 'Favorite' preset, and you can use it to customize the speaker's sound to your liking, by moving around the feature's sound circle in order to make your audio sound brighter, warmer, more energetic, or more relaxed. Additionally, you can pair two Bang & Olufsen A1 2nd Gen speakers together to create a stereo pair. The app also lets you completely disable the voice assistant feature.
Update 01/20/2022: Thanks to user feedback, we identified that the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 does support USB Audio via its USB-C port. We've changed the test results for USB Audio from 'No' to 'Yes' and have updated the text.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 comes with a USB-C charging port which you can use to wire other devices like your laptop to the speaker, meaning you can listen to your favorite tunes via a wired connection instead of over Bluetooth when you need to.
The Bang & Olufsen A1 has impressive Bluetooth connectivity. It has supports multi-device pairing with up to two devices, and it has a remarkable Bluetooth range, so the speaker stays connected to your paired device even when it's far away. While its Bluetooth latency is low with iOS devices, it's high with Android devices, so it may not be suitable for watching videos over this connection. That said, some apps compensate for latency differently, so your experience may vary.