OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0

Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£1,760Audio output power:102.00 WBattery life:8 hoursIP rating:?Bluetooth version:4.2Weight:4100 g

Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018 Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018
7.2/10

Overall score

Score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 76% of models
Score components

80%

7.3

Technical score

20%

6.7

User score

â–²Better than 76% of portable speakers
5.4

Value for money

Value for money
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

1.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 99%
7.3

Technical score

Technical score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 88% of models
Score components

32%

8.1

Audio

20%

6.5

Battery

18%

6.2

Durability

16%

7.8

Connectivity

8%

7.6

Controls

3%

4.9

Design

3%

8.5

Smart features

â–²Better than 88%
6.7

User score

User score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

4.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 93%
  • bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
  • bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
  • bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
  • bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
  • bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
  • bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
  • bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
bang-olufsen-beosound-2-2018
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of portable speaker Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018

Technical score
Technical score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 88% of models
Score components:

32%

8.1

Audio

20%

6.5

Battery

18%

6.2

Durability

16%

7.8

Connectivity

8%

7.6

Controls

3%

4.9

Design

3%

8.5

Smart features

7.3
User score
User score
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

User ratings

30%

4.2

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.7
Popularity
Popularity
4.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 50% of models
Popularity:
Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018 has a popularity score of 4.2 points, which is higher than 49.7% of products in this category.
4.2
Value for money
Value for money
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components:

70%

7.2

Overall score

30%

1.2

Price

5.4
Audio output power
102 W
Market range: <4 W – >100 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 102 W which is higher than that of 91.8% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
50.8 mm
Market range: <38 mm – >101 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 50.8 mm which is larger than that of 54.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Uses a 50.8 mm primary driver.
Number of drivers
4
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 4 drivers, which is more than 81.7% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 11.9% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
33 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 33 Hz which is lower than that of 81.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.2 which is older than that of 53.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 17.8% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
30 m
Market range: <10 m – >30 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 30 m which is longer than that of 85.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 10% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP; HFP; HSP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
8 hours
Market range: <6 hours – >24 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 8 hours which is shorter than that of 68.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 11.6% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
?
Charging time
?
Maximum charging input power
?
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
?
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
no
This portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating. 32.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
On-device controls placement
top
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
yes
This portable speaker supports smartphone app control. 46.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Compatible mobile app provides speaker control or settings.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
no
This portable speaker does not support fast pairing. 22.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
4,100 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 4,100 g which is heavier than that of 86.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.4% of portable speakers.
Height
43.1 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 43.1 cm which is taller than that of 95.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Width
19.6 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 19.6 cm which is wider than that of 55.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% of portable speakers.
Depth
19.6 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 19.6 cm which is deeper than that of 89.8% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
Show more
Companion app name
Bang & Olufsen
Firmware updates
yes
This portable speaker supports firmware updates. 52.9% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
OTA; App; USB
Voice assistant support
yes
This portable speaker supports voice assistants. 73.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports direct voice-assistant control.
Spotify Connect
yes
This portable speaker supports Spotify Connect. 89.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 82 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (102 W vs 20 W).
    102 W vs 20 W
  • 20 m longer Bluetooth range
    This portable speaker has a longer Bluetooth range than the average portable speaker (30 m vs 10 m).
    30 m vs 10 m
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • 2 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (4 vs 2).
    4 vs 2
  • 14 dB higher signal-to-noise ratio
    This portable speaker has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than the average portable speaker (94 dB vs 80 dB).
    94 dB vs 80 dB
  • 3,400 Hz higher maximum frequency
    This portable speaker has a higher maximum frequency than the average portable speaker (23,400 Hz vs 20,000 Hz).
    23,400 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Provides 360-degree sound
    This portable speaker provides 360-degree sound, while the average portable speaker does not provide 360-degree sound.
    Provides omnidirectional 360° sound radiation.
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • 82 W more audio output power
    This portable speaker has more audio output power than the average portable speaker (102 W vs 20 W).
    102 W vs 20 W
  • 2 more speaker drivers
    This portable speaker has more speaker drivers than the average portable speaker (4 vs 2).
    4 vs 2
  • 14 dB higher signal-to-noise ratio
    This portable speaker has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than the average portable speaker (94 dB vs 80 dB).
    94 dB vs 80 dB
  • 3,400 Hz higher maximum frequency
    This portable speaker has a higher maximum frequency than the average portable speaker (23,400 Hz vs 20,000 Hz).
    23,400 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Provides 360-degree sound
    This portable speaker provides 360-degree sound, while the average portable speaker does not provide 360-degree sound.
    Provides omnidirectional 360° sound radiation.
  • 27 Hz deeper bass extension
    This portable speaker has deeper bass extension than the average portable speaker (33 Hz vs 60 Hz).
    33 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • 4 more microphones
    This portable speaker has more microphones than the average portable speaker (5 vs 1).
    5 vs 1
  • Has beamforming microphones
    This portable speaker has beamforming microphones, while the average portable speaker does not have beamforming microphones.
    Uses beamforming microphone technology.
  • 20 m longer Bluetooth range
    This portable speaker has a longer Bluetooth range than the average portable speaker (30 m vs 10 m).
    30 m vs 10 m
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has Chromecast built-in
    This portable speaker has Chromecast built-in, while the average portable speaker does not have Chromecast built-in.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This portable speaker supports AirPlay, while the average portable speaker does not support AirPlay.
  • Supports DLNA media sharing
    This portable speaker supports DLNA media sharing, while the average portable speaker does not support DLNA media sharing.
  • Has Ethernet support
    This portable speaker has Ethernet support, while the average portable speaker does not have Ethernet support.
  • Supports AAC Bluetooth audio
    This portable speaker supports AAC Bluetooth audio, while the average portable speaker does not support AAC Bluetooth audio.
  • Wi-Fi standard detailed
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), while the average portable speaker supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n).
    Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) vs Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Has an FM radio
    This portable speaker has an FM radio, while the average portable speaker does not have an FM radio.
  • Supports playback mute
    This portable speaker supports playback mute, while the average portable speaker does not support playback mute.
    Speaker playback audio can be directly muted.
  • Has a programmable button
    This portable speaker has a programmable button, while the average portable speaker does not have a programmable button.
    Has a user-programmable physical button.
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Supports Spotify Connect
    This portable speaker supports Spotify Connect, while the average portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This portable speaker supports voice assistants, while the average portable speaker does not support voice assistants.
    Supports direct voice-assistant control.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • 4 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (8 hours vs 12 hours).
    8 hours vs 12 hours
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • 3,300 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (4,100 g vs 800 g).
    4,100 g vs 800 g
  • 5 °C higher minimum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (5 °C vs 0 °C).
    5 °C vs 0 °C
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This portable speaker has fewer USB ports than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 19.56x more expensive
    Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018 is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£1,760 vs £90).
    £1,760 vs £90
  • 40.5% worse value for money
    Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018 offers worse value for money than the average portable speaker (5.37 vs 7.5).
    5.37 vs 7.55
  • 19.2% lower user score
    User score
    6.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018
    the average portable speaker
    Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018 has a lower user score than the average portable speaker (6.71 vs 8).
    6.71 vs 8
  • Does not include a passive radiator
    This portable speaker does not include a passive radiator, while the average portable speaker includes a passive radiator.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This portable speaker has fewer USB ports than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 4 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (8 hours vs 12 hours).
    8 hours vs 12 hours
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • 5 °C higher minimum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (5 °C vs 0 °C).
    5 °C vs 0 °C
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • 3,300 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (4,100 g vs 800 g).
    4,100 g vs 800 g
  • 30.7 cm taller
    This portable speaker is taller than the average portable speaker (43.1 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    43.1 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 11.3 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (19.6 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    19.6 cm vs 8.3 cm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
techradar.com
03/09/2018
Summary of the review
Hands on: B&O Beosound 1 & 2 review - TechRadar If you need any information regarding specifications, alternative home speakers, or subsequent hardwar...
T
theverge.com
13/10/2017
Summary of the review
Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2 review: Dalek-shaped delight
S
soundstagesimplifi.com
01/01/2017
Summary of the review
Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2 Wi-Fi SpeakerGo to product viewer dialog for this item. SoundStage! Simplifi
S
smartzone.de
16/07/2021
Summary of the review
Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 review: The €2,000 smart speaker tested
(Translated)Show original
A
afdigitale.it
27/08/2018
Summary of the review
Beosound 1 and Beosound 2 get smart thanks to Google Assistant
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: August 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018

  • Immersive 360-degree sound projection that fills mid-to-large rooms evenly
  • Exceptional build quality with a seamless, solid anodised aluminium design
  • Striking, minimalist sculptural aesthetic that serves as a visual centerpiece
  • Powerful, deep bass performance with active room compensation to maintain control
  • Crisp vocals and clear mid-to-high frequencies that maintain clarity at high volumes
  • Convenient connectivity options including built-in Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and multiroom integration

What customers don't like about Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018

  • Extremely premium price tag that is hard to justify for performance alone
  • Inability to create a traditional stereo pair with a second unit in older firmware/versions
  • Initial setup can be frustrating and confusing, sometimes requiring multiple app steps
  • Occasional Wi-Fi connectivity dropouts and pairing quirks, particularly on 5 GHz bands
  • Proximity and presence sensors on the control panel can sometimes misread ambient movements
  • Noticeable audio delay during wireless video playback, making it impractical for movies

Verdict

The 2018 Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 (2nd Generation) is a premium wireless home speaker crafted from high-grade conical aluminum, featuring an advanced acoustic lens that delivers a 360-degree room-filling audio experience. Equipped with a 4-driver setup—including a 3/4-inch tweeter, two 2-inch midrange drivers, and a 5 1/4-inch woofer—it is powered by five dedicated Class D amplifiers delivering a total of 102 watts of output across a 33 to 23,400 Hz frequency range. Major pros include its striking architectural design, integrated Google Assistant voice control, physical proximity-sensing top touch-wheel, and flexible streaming via AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth 4.2. However, its primary downsides are its lack of a built-in battery requiring a permanent mains power connection, occasional 5 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity disconnections, and a premium price tag.

Compare Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018 with other products in the Portable Speakers category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 2018 and other products in the Portable Speakers category

No results found