Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 AW19 Review | 130 Data compared

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 is a premium, beautifully engineered portable Bluetooth speaker featuring a "perfect synergy" design with a durable metallic grille and robust, high-quality audio. While praised for its design and responsive controls, the speaker is notably expensive, lacks Wi-Fi for voice assistants, and is not waterproof, unlike some competitors.

The What Hi-Fi? review of the B&O Beoplay A1 praises the portable Bluetooth speaker for its elegant aluminum design, 24-hour battery life, and powerful, full-bodied sound that disperses exceptionally well, particularly regarding its potent bass and clear midrange. While offering luxury audio for the price, the speaker's cons include a slightly subdued, less energetic sound signature that lacks the "party hat" snappiness found in rivals, along with hard-to-read, flush-mounted controls.

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1, rated 8/10 in a WIRED review, is recognized for delivering high-end, robust sound through a 3.5-inch woofer and 3/4-inch tweeter within a compact, 1.3-pound aluminum design. Its pros include a 24-hour battery life, USB-C connectivity, and an interactive, app-driven equalizer. However, the speaker lacks an official IP waterproofing rating and its weight makes it less portable than competitors.

The SoundGuys review of the B&O Beoplay A1 awards the speaker an 8.2/10, praising its premium design, robust aluminum top, and powerful audio output for its size, particularly in the low-end and high-mid vocals. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks, including a very short 4-hour battery life at high volume, and frustrating, hard-to-press, poorly labeled controls.

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 is a premium, stylish portable Bluetooth speaker featuring a durable, splash-resistant aluminum and polymer design with an integrated leather strap and an excellent omnidirectional microphone for calls. While highly praised for its sound quality and aesthetics, the device lacks full waterproofing and fails to include a protective pouch in the box, representing a notable omission at its price point.

The Tools and Toys review praises the Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A1 as an exceptionally designed, dome-shaped portable speaker offering surprisingly powerful low-end bass and 360-degree clear audio. While the speaker offers well-controlled highs, the review notes cons including an uneven midrange that can make vocals sound thin and a sound profile that struggles to cut through environmental noise, such as running water.

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Generation is recognized as a premium portable Bluetooth speaker featuring improved Bluetooth 5.1, Alexa integration, superior microphone quality, and an extended battery life lasting up to 18 hours at moderate volumes. However, the review notes the omission of a 3.5mm auxiliary jack, strictly limiting the device to wireless connections.

The B&O Play Beoplay A1 is a premium, dome-shaped portable Bluetooth speaker featuring impressive sound quality with strong bass, a 24-hour battery, USB-C charging, and a leather strap for versatility. While praised for its performance and speakerphone capabilities, the review notes its high $249 price point, a tendency to heat up at maximum volume, and the lack of an included carrying case.

The Business Insider review praises the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 as a premium, aesthetically striking portable speaker featuring a durable aluminum dome and a high-quality leather strap. Its key strengths include surprisingly loud, bass-rich audio, exceptional 24-hour battery life, and USB-C connectivity, though these come at a high $380 price point. Despite excellent design, the unit suffers from difficult-to-use, flush perimeter buttons and lacks a protective pouch, making it a luxury item.