It is best known for its high-end speakers, some of which cost as much as a small car. Still, can you win the lottery You’ll be pleased to hear that B&O has invested its technological expertise in the audio equivalent of a diffusion line: the B&O Play speaker series is aimed at a younger, more stylish audience and includes portable Bluetooth speakers that can be used outdoors without a care in the world, as shown below. However, B&O has been known to prioritize style over substance at times, so it’s important to choose wisely. To avoid mishaps, we’ve compiled this list of the best B&O speakers we’ve tested, from budget portable picnic speakers to a pair of truly spectacular high-end floor standing speakers. Below, we mention the best Bang and Olufsen Speakers.
Here is the list of Best Bang and Olufsen Speakers
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)
Easily one of the best Bang and Olufsen Speakers available on the market, The B&O Beosound A1 (2nd generation) wireless speaker is the second most affordable model in the company’s lineup and the world’s first Bluetooth-only Alexa speaker. It is about the size of a large flour tortilla and looks typically upscale. It is a bit sleeker than its predecessor, with larger buttons, a clearer display, and easier operation. It also has an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, which allows it to be immersed in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. What about the battery? Reasonable at 18 hours at normal listening volume and up to 48 hours at moderate volume; Alexa requires a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone connected to Wi-Fi. Setup is very easy. Acoustically, it is complete and smooth; B&O has managed to capture its distinctive sound profile in this small form factor, which is no mean feat.
Bang & Oluefsn Beoplay A2
The P2, one of the newer speakers in the BeoPlay 2 series, effectively replaces the older A2 speaker. It is the result of a superior iteration that reduces the speaker’s form factor and smooths out the rough edges without compromising sound quality. The iconic all-metal grille is still very appropriate and adequate, along with the built-in carry loop. But the P2 is never too big to carry, and it fits in a roomy pocket or purse for ease of use; with a 10-hour battery, Siri from the iPhone is always available through the speaker, and the P2 is also a great choice for those who want to use the P2 for a more personalized listening experience.
Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20
Bang & Olufsen Beolit 20 is a premium portable Bluetooth speaker, the next generation of the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 17, launched in 2020 as part of the Bang & Olufsen Beolit series. This elegant speaker comes with a detachable leather strap for easy portability. There is a charging pad on it for charging Qi-enabled devices such as cell phones and headphone cases. From an angle, there is a reflective navy blue mesh under its aluminum grille, but if you prefer a lighter model, we suggest the Gray Mist, which comes in white and gold variants. It is one of the best Bang and Olufsen Speakers that you can consider.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1
Since B&O is best known for its high-quality audio products, one might think that the company might have cut a few corners when creating this pocket speaker. Fortunately, such is not the case, and the aluminum and leather finish is elegant. Sound quality is top notch, soulful and solid, with a clear, room-filling midrange. Battery life is good, with 24 hours of playback on a 2.5-hour charge, and while it doesn’t support NFC, the A1 does support aptX Bluetooth connectivity. If size matters, this downsized speaker is like drinking champagne on a beer budget. Thus, this product is one of the best Bang and Olufsen Speakers available right now.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P6
Another new speaker from B&O is the BeoPlay P6. This uniquely designed speaker looks very sci-fi, and again the metal grille stands out, making B&O’s laptop stand out. Thanks to its versatile design, the P6 is a room-filler in terms of volume and sound quality, thanks to its 360-degree sound coverage. An array of buttons on top of the speaker allows you to control it as needed, or if you prefer, a companion app allows you to control everything from your smartphone. The P6 is powered by a battery that provides a full 16 hours of playback, which is truly impressive longevity. And it’s even better because it takes only three hours to fully charge. A built-in microphone also makes the P6 handy for taking calls and commanding Siri or Google Assistant to get things done. On the sound front, a 4-inch woofer and two 1.5-inch full-range drivers provide accurate reproduction.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage is a high-quality sound quality 3.0 setup. This unique soundbar has a premium build and can be oriented to stand on a table or face outward when wall-mounted. Right out of the box, it has a somewhat boxy sound profile that lacks bass. However, a reliable companion app provides a graphic equalizer and presets so you can customize its sound. It also supports Dolby Atmos, although playback requires stereo downmixing. Depending on the orientation of the bar, the mix may appear a bit suppressed, and there is no room correction feature to improve that sound. On the plus side, there are plenty of options for physical inputs and wireless connectivity. If you’re looking for a setup that combines high-end styling with versatile and customizable performance, it’s worth considering. Overall, it is one of the best Bang/Olufsen Speakers that you can buy.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound 1
Once again, B&O’s designers have taken a striking space-age design and turned the speaker into a small sculptural entity. The tip of the cone, which appears to float, functions as a touch-operated volume control. This singular shape allows for excellent 360-degree sound dispersion and versatility. The latest version of the Beosound 1 supports high-definition streaming up to 24bit/192kHz and has a built-in Google Assistant. While not as dynamic musically as its competitors, the conical BeoSound 1 is just the right choice if you want an all-in-one hi-fi streaming system that makes an impact visually.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore
The Beosound Explore came out in mid 2021 and has a slightly different design than the rest of the B&O range and we think it looks really great. It’s nice and small, with an impressive 360-degree soundstage for its size. The battery life is really impressive, as is its weatherproofing, making it a great option for a hike or an outdoor party, but we also think that for very similar money, you’re probably better off going with the A1 2nd Gen, which is most of the the same things a little better. Currently, this is one of the best Bang/Olufsen Speakers that you can buy right now.
Final Words
Bang & Olufsen’s portable speakers are expensive speakers with amazing sound and equally amazing design. When you factor in the very intuitive app and great battery life, there may not be much to expect from a portable speaker. You may not be able to disable the voice assistant feature like a proper smart speaker, but that is forgivable. If you are on a budget, this is the best portable speaker available.
