Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen)

Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers / Portable

A Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) Wireless Bluetooth Portable speaker system.

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CR Expert Take

How did it perform in our expert lab testing?

Overall Score

The Overall Score for this model is derived from our expert lab test results.

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Current Range of Tested Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers

What goes into the Overall Score?

Sound quality

/ 5

Ease of use

/ 5

Versatility

/ 5

Detailed Test Results

Sound quality: Bang & Olufsen's Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) had acceptable overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. The bass has decent impact, but is a bit subdued and a touch boomy and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is fairly even, but is somewhat hazy, congested and grainy, and a touch etched. Treble is uneven; the lower treble is a bit subdued, the mid-treble is smeared and a bit prominent, and the upper treble is somewhat sizzly. Does a so-so job of recovering room ambience and sounds somewhat congested. The monophonic sound field extends somewhat above and a bit to the sides of the speakers. Individual instruments and voices are identifiable but have a two dimensional quality. When two units are used as a stereo pair the sound stage can be made wider depending on placement.

Volume:

Provides a decent volume level in a small sized room, but is best suited for near field listening.

About

A Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) Wireless Bluetooth Portable speaker system. In our tests the sound quality, and the versatility of provided features are assessed.

Features & Specs

Features

IP rating

IP67

Claimed battery life (hrs.)

Adjustable tone settings

Yes

Wireless stereo pairing

Yes

Speaker phone w/built-in mic

Yes

Optional multi-room sharing

Remote

Yes

Power source

Battery

Updatable software/firmware

Yes

Warranty (mos.): parts/labor

36/36

Other features

Can stereo pair with a second unit. Free B&O app download for Apple and Android mobile devices can be used to setup Bluetooth connections, check product information and battery status, update unit firmware, adjust tonal balance and EQ presets, control volume and play/pause, next/prev track, user manual. Works with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair. Battery can be replaced by Authorized B&O service tech.

Included accessories

Quick Start Guide, USB-C to C cable

Specs

Wireless type

Bluetooth

Audio format

Mono

Height (in.)

Width (in.)

5.25

Depth (in.)

5.25

Weight (lbs.)

1.3

Connections

Stereo analog audio input

Optical digital audio input

Headphone jack

Active subwoofer pre-amp out

Other connections

None

Price & Shop

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (3rd Gen)

CR Expert Take

Overall Score

What goes into the Overall Score?

Detailed Test Results

About

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