What’s the story?
B&O can boast a world first
with the new A1: this was the
first Bluetooth-only speaker
to get Alexa voice control built
in, hitchhiking on your phone to
link to Amazon’s servers.
Redesigned audio drivers and
Bluetooth 5.1 deliver enhanced
360 ° sound with a 92dB max
loudness when streaming, and
if you’re feeling flush you can
buy two and pair them for stereo.
Sound can be personalised using
the B&O app.
Design-wise the second-gen
A1 doesn’t look any different to
its predecessor; but seeing as
there was nothing wrong with
the pearl-blasted aluminium
chassis before, we’ve no qualms
about that. Only now there’s
a higher IP67 waterproof rating,
which extends to the carry string,
and a soft polymer base.
Since launch the A1 has had
a number of seasonal finishes
added to the line-up, and for an
extra £120 you can get a Berluti
special edition. Reet fancy.Is it any good?
The A1 serves up a performance
as refined as its design, with
toe-tapping punch and confident
but not overpowering bass.
The weight that’s served up
is impressive from such a petite
unit, but it remains controlled,
giving you rumble where you
want it without weighing down
the rest of the presentation.
In fact, clarity is the defining
feature in this speaker, with
vocals and instruments through
the midrange sounding crisp,detailed and expressive. Treble
is well handled too, creating an
overall sound that blends with
absolute cohesion.
Volume can be pushed pretty
loud without affecting the airy
soundstage, though 360° sound
is better-realised in the Explore
model on p58.
If your outdoor speaker needs
are more garden picnic than trail
hike, this is a premium speaker
with a sound to match. It sits
unashamedly at the top of this
group’s budget, but it’s worth
the extra cash if you have it.Price £200 / stuff.tv/BangA1Key specs O 60W, 3.5in tweeter,
3.5in woofer O Bluetooth 5.1,
USB-C O Up to 18hrs O IP67
O 133x133x 46mm, 558gGot Bag Rolltop
Sea Shepherd
This rolltop rucksack
tackles floating trash while
carrying your stash. For
every bag made, 3.5kg of
ocean plastic is collected
by fishermen in Indonesia;
the best of it is then sorted,
shredded and sewn into
seaworthy sacks. Built
tough enough to brave
wet weather, the Sea
Shepherd packs down
tight with compression
straps, while a removable
pocket keeps devices safe.
£131 / eu.got-bag.comBang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)
NOW POP IT IN THISSTUFF SAYS Maxes out the £200 budget, but you won’t regret it +++++
Dance call days
The Beosound
A1 doubles as a
speakerphone, with
three mics for clear
hands-free calls when
you’re OoO – which
might be forever.Bicker conspiracy
As well as 360° sound,
the A1 has a feature
allowing two people
to be connected
and controlling the
tunes – good luck
sorting that one out.BEST FOR
CLEAR
TONESTEST
WINNER