The Bang & Olufsen A1 (2nd Gen) has been high in our estimations for quite some time, occupying a comfortable position in our best smart speakers list. It’s a handsome devil, too, and we think that spending a little extra on aesthetic charm to accompany talented sound is worthwhile.
But, right now, you don’t have to worry about forking out on good looks, because the Beosound A1 has fallen to just £179 at Peter Tyson. That’s not the cheapest we’ve ever seen the speaker – it dropped to £169 last December – but with a reduction of £120, it’s still a serious saving.
Admittedly, the Beosound A1 (3rd Gen) is now on the market, but it will cost you more and doesn’t feature Alexa integration. For those reasons alone, we would recommend the five-star 2nd Gen, especially at this price.
Portable Bluetooth speakers come in all shapes and sizes. It just so happens that we rather like the look of the Beosound A1 (2nd Gen), but that’s far from all that has won us over about this speaker.
Competition for small portable speakers is tough, with companies like JBL and Tribit making serious offerings, but B&O’s prioritisation of luxury and style carves the company a unique position in the market.
Admittedly, the Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) isn’t the newest model, with the 3rd Gen now available, but it won five-stars, compared to the 3rd Gen’s four stars, at review.
That rating was achieved in part by the 2nd Gen’s multi-talented performance, which sees the attractive, solidly constructed unit providing a pleasingly comfortable and authoritative performance “that you’d be happy to listen to all day”.
In our full review, our expert testers said: “Bang & Olufsen has succeeded in maintaining its trademark sound profile in this diminutive and affordable proposition – no small feat considering Bluetooth speakers of this size and price can easily come off heavy through the mids and harsh in the treble in an effort to offer volume and clout.”
But the Beosound A1’s virtues don’t end there.
Alongside Bluetooth 5.1 with AAC, the speaker also supports Qualcomm's aptX Adaptive codec, allowing high-quality streaming. The Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) also contains a three microphone array for clear voice assistant operation and hands-free calling.
What’s more, when it comes to battery life, an impressive 18 hours can stretch all the way to 48 hours when listening at conservative volumes.
A handy strap is also included with the speaker, meaning you can take this handsome, portable unit wherever you go.
So, if you’re on the hunt for a Bluetooth speaker that is convenient to use, includes Alexa, sounds great and has a sleek design, the Beosound A1 is a strong choice, even more so now that it’s available for just £179 at Peter Tyson.
MORE
Read our full Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) review
Take a look at the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy
Check out our best B&O speakers: portable, hi-fi and wireless
