Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen: Released in 2020, Still Beating Most Things Made After It
There’s a version of this review that starts by explaining the A1 2nd Gen is a few years old now and you should factor that into your purchase decision.
We’re going to write the other version instead.
Because the honest truth about the Beosound A1 2nd Gen, available at The Den India at Rs. 35,750, is that it still sounds better than the vast majority of portable Bluetooth speakers released after it. It’s still the speaker one long-time reviewer personally uses and prefers among the best Bluetooth speakers Trusted Reviews, years after first testing it. That’s not a common thing to be able to say about consumer electronics. It says something real about what B&O got right with this one.
So yes, there’s a 3rd Gen now. We’ll talk about that. But if the 2nd Gen is what you’re looking at and at Rs. 35,750 you might have very good reasons for that this is the review you need.
What the Beosound A1 2nd Gen Actually Is
Originally launched in 2016 as the Beoplay A1, the updated Beosound A1 2nd Gen doesn’t look radically different, sticking with the same circular ‘hockey-puck’ design as its predecessor. The shape gets compared to various baked goods depending on which reviewer you’re reading. We’ve seen hamburger buns, English muffins, and large floury bap. The debate apparently has no resolution.
What it is is a flat circular speaker, 133mm across and 46mm tall, with a pearl-blasted aluminium grille on top and a rugged polymer base underneath.
It weighs 558g. It fits in one hand. It has IP67 waterproofing, 18-hour battery life, Alexa built in, aptX Adaptive, and a 3-microphone array for speakerphone use. And it sounds, to use the technical term, really good.
Available at The Den India in multiple colours. Rs. 35,750.
The Full Specs
Drivers: 3.5″ (89mm) mid-woofer + 0.6″ (15mm) tweeter
Amplification: 2× 30W Class D
Frequency Response: 55Hz – 20kHz
Bluetooth: 5.1 – aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC
Multipoint: Yes, two devices simultaneously
Battery: 18 hours at typical volumes / up to 48 hours at low volume
Charging: USB-C
Water Resistance: IP67 – fully waterproof to 1 metre, dust-proof
Voice Assistant: Amazon Alexa (requires Alexa app on paired phone)
Microphones: 3 – for speakerphone and Alexa
Stereo Pairing: Yes, with another A1 2nd Gen only
App: Bang & Olufsen Music app Beosonic EQ, presets, stereo pairing
Weight: 558g
Dimensions: 133mm diameter × 46mm height
Colours: Black Anthracite, Grey Mist, and more
Price at The Den India: Rs. 35,750
How Does It Sound – The Part That Actually Matters
Does a speaker this small have to sound this good? That’s the question you’ll find yourself pondering, because it puts in a rather stunning and somewhat unexpected performance.
We’ll just say it plainly: the A1 2nd Gen sounds significantly better than its size suggests it should. Not marginally better. Significantly.
Bass is surprisingly big – you can feel it travel through the surface the speaker sits on, but it’s not of the rumbly, distorted nature that afflicts some speakers. It’s weighty, defined, and well-judged. Its natural, neutral sound ensures excellent tonal balance throughout the frequency range, with neither treble, midrange nor bass intruding on each other.
The midrange is where it really earns its price. Vocals are relayed faithfully and with space around them, even through the complexity and layering of heavily produced tracks. STEREO GUIDE Voices don’t get buried, don’t sound thin, don’t take a back seat to bass the way they do on cheaper speakers tuned to impress in a thirty-second demo.
Highs and mids are airy and crystal clear, and bass thumps in a way that genuinely surprises. At half volume, you can actually feel the air the woofer is moving with your hand a few inches from the speaker’s grille.
The 360-degree dispersion is real and useful. The circular design isn’t just for show, it helps create a spacious, open sound that’s perfect for outdoor use. Walk around it, change position, the sound holds up. In a small room or outdoor space with a few people around it, nobody’s sitting in a bad spot.
Where it has limits and we want to be honest here: if you crank it much past 65 percent, you’ll start losing detail, especially in the low end. The A1 2nd Gen sounds its best at moderate volumes. Push it to maximum in a large outdoor space and it starts to strain. Its soundstage shines best in a smaller room than some beefier-looking specimens go outside or into a much larger room and you’ll wish you had two of these.
That’s not a fatal flaw – it’s a 558g speaker, not a PA system. Keep your expectations matched to the physics and you’ll be delighted.
The Design – Unchanged For a Reason
The A1 was designed by Cecilie Manz, a renowned industrial designer whose work has been featured in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Its top side is made of hydroformed, pearl-blasted aluminium.
The holes you see in that aluminium grille aren’t decorative. Each one is precision-milled and contributes to the acoustic dispersion. The fact that they also look like a piece of considered industrial art is characteristic B&O function that happens to be beautiful rather than beauty that happens to function.
The bottom is made from rugged polymer to help protect it while on the go, and the entire speaker is IP67 water and dust resistant. The body includes buttons to control power, Bluetooth, and the microphone, as well as playback and volume, along with a USB-C port around the back to charge it up.
The physical buttons feel better than the original A1’s. Their feel on the 2nd Gen is far more tactile than on the original, which simply makes it better to use. Small improvement, noticed every day.
The leather strap is waterproof and properly functional. Loop it over your wrist or a bag hook, it holds the speaker securely. It’s not decorative.
The IP67 Rating – What It Means Practically
IP67 means completely dust-proof and waterproof to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes.
Pool splashes, beach use, shower listening, being caught in rain – all fine without a second thought. You could question whether something so shiny can be durable, but if you paid this much for a wireless speaker you wouldn’t treat it like a plastic toy. Fair point. The aluminium scratches if you’re genuinely careless with it, but the waterproofing is real and robust.
The Battery – 18 Hours Is the Honest Figure
B&O rates the A1 2nd Gen for up to 18 hours at normal playback volume, and that figure is accurate in real-world testing. It’s plenty of listening time to get you through a long day on the go or for a weekend camping trip.
The 48-hour figure you’ll see in the specs is at very low volume – quiet background music levels. In real use at the volumes you’d actually listen at, 18 hours is what you get. That’s still excellent. It has the kind of battery life that could last a whole weekend. We charged ours on Sunday evening and it lasted through the entire working week without needing to be plugged in.
The Alexa Integration – Good Concept, Imperfect Reality
The A1 2nd Gen is notable for being the first Bluetooth-only speaker with Alexa built in. The way it works: the speaker connects to your phone over Bluetooth, and Alexa uses your phone’s data connection to function. You need both the B&O app and the Amazon Alexa app set up.
The mics work very well, even from a distance. There is a pause of a second or two between saying the Alexa keyword and getting a response Bang & Olufsen – the latency is noticeable but not dealbreaking for most queries.
The honest caveat: Alexa support is a bit awkward for a solely Bluetooth speaker that, a lot of the time, won’t be connected to the internet anyway. If your phone is nearby and connected to WiFi or data, Alexa works. If your phone is out of range, it doesn’t because it’s using your phone’s connection rather than a built-in WiFi module.
Most people will use this speaker primarily as a Bluetooth speaker and treat Alexa as a bonus feature rather than a core reason to buy. That’s the right way to approach it.
The App – Worth Using, Easy to Learn
The B&O Music app is clean and well-designed. It’s a very intuitive app to use and worth using. Battery level, volume control, EQ via Beosonic, stereo pairing setup all in one place.
The Beosonic circular dial involves placing a dot somewhere on a spectrum of Bright, Energetic, Warm and Relaxed to create your preferred sound profile. More intuitive than frequency sliders for people who don’t want to think about Hz values. In practice most people land on Optimal and stay there, which is also fine – the default tuning is good.
One thing: the app can be glitchy when connected to a Windows PC. Mobile devices work fine. If you’re primarily a Windows user who plans to pair via PC, just know the app experience is more reliable on a phone.
2nd Gen vs 3rd Gen – Should You Pay More?
The A1 3rd Gen costs the same at Rs. 35,750 but represents the current generation. What it adds over the 2nd Gen: larger 82.5mm woofer for more bass, 24-hour battery (up from 18), replaceable battery for long-term serviceability, Cradle-to-Cradle sustainability certification. What it removed: Alexa.
If you’re buying new right now and the price is the same- the 3rd Gen is the logical choice. Better bass, better battery, future-proofed with a serviceable battery.
The 2nd Gen makes sense if you specifically want Alexa integration, or if you find it at a lower price and the incremental improvements of the 3rd Gen don’t justify any price difference you’re seeing. It also makes sense if you already own a 2nd Gen and want a stereo pair- the generations don’t cross-pair, so a second 2nd Gen is what you need.
How It Compares to the Competition
vs. JBL Flip 7: JBL is louder and costs less. The A1 2nd Gen sounds more refined and natural at moderate volumes, more spacious, better midrange detail, less artificially boosted bass. The JBL is the better choice if volume and price are the primary criteria. The A1 is the better speaker.
vs. Bose SoundLink Flex 2: Genuinely competitive comparison. The Flex 2 is lighter and has a more purpose-built outdoor form factor with its stand-up ability. Sound quality is close; some will prefer the Bose’s slight warmth, others the A1’s more neutral presentation. Build quality and design go to B&O. Price tends to go to Bose.
vs. Ultimate Ears Boom 4: UE is louder and more rugged designed to genuinely take punishment in outdoor settings. The A1 2nd Gen sounds more detailed and musical at normal listening volumes. Different philosophies: UE for adventure use, A1 for premium daily use that occasionally goes outside.
vs. Beosound A1 3rd Gen: Same price, but the 3rd Gen wins on bass depth, battery life, and replaceable battery. If both are available at the same price, buy the 3rd Gen. If the 2nd Gen is meaningfully cheaper, the sound quality gap is smaller than the spec sheet suggests and the 2nd Gen remains a very good speaker.
Who Should Buy the A1 2nd Gen
Someone who wants a genuinely premium portable Bluetooth speaker for daily use commuting, travel, home and outdoor listening and cares about sound quality and design in equal measure.
Someone who wants IP67 waterproofing without compromising on how it sounds or looks.
Someone who finds the A1 2nd Gen at a better price than the 3rd Gen and wants B&O quality without the latest-generation premium.
Someone who already owns an A1 2nd Gen and wants a stereo pair.
Who should look elsewhere: anyone who needs to fill large outdoor spaces at high volumes look at the Beolit 20 or Beosound A5. Anyone who primarily uses AirPlay or needs WiFi streaming, the A1 is Bluetooth only. Anyone who specifically wants the replaceable battery and sustainability features of the 3rd Gen.
Where to Buy in India
The Den India – authorised Bang & Olufsen partner.
The Beosound A1 2nd Gen is available at Rs. 35,750 with pan-India delivery, official manufacturer warranty, and customer support.
Check availability for current colour options, as multiple finishes may not always be in stock simultaneously.
Questions We Get Asked
Is it actually worth buying over the 3rd Gen?
If both are the same price buy the 3rd Gen, it has better bass and battery. If the 2nd Gen is meaningfully cheaper, or if you specifically want Alexa or need a second unit to pair with an existing 2nd Gen- yes, absolutely worth it. The core sound quality is very close between generations.
Is the IP67 waterproofing robust enough for beach and pool use?
Yes. IP67 means fully waterproof to 1 metre for 30 minutes. Beach, pool, rain, shower – all covered. The aluminium can scratch with rough handling but the waterproofing is genuine.
Does the 18-hour battery hold up in real use?
At moderate listening volumes- yes, accurately. At high volumes expect less. It’s the most honest battery figure we’ve seen from a portable speaker at this size.
Can I pair it with an original Beoplay A1 for stereo?
No, stereo pairing only works between two A1 2nd Gen units. The generations are not cross-compatible for stereo.
How does Alexa work without WiFi?
The speaker uses your phone’s internet connection via Bluetooth to access Alexa. Your phone needs to be connected to data or WiFi. It works reliably when your phone is nearby. If the phone is out of range, Alexa doesn’t work, the speaker just functions as a normal Bluetooth speaker.
Is it loud enough for a small outdoor gathering?
Comfortably yes at moderate outdoor settings- a terrace, a garden with a few people, background music outdoors. For large open spaces where you need to compete with significant ambient noise, it starts to reach its limits. Honest ceiling is small-to-medium outdoor gatherings.
Does it still hold up against newer speakers?
Yes, which is the thing that makes it unusual. The sound quality has held up better than the age of the product suggests it should. It’s why long-term reviewers still recommend it years after first testing it.
Where We Landed
There’s something to be said for a product that gets recommended four years after launch without apology.
The A1 2nd Gen isn’t perfect. It’s pricey, has some quirks with its voice assistant implementation, and needs a second unit for true stereo sound. But those are pretty minor issues. The pros vastly outweigh the cons.
If you’re looking for a quality portable speaker that majors on both style and substance, something to pack into your bag, take to a picnic, keep on your desk, this is it.
The 3rd Gen is the current-generation product and at the same price it’s the logical first choice. But the 2nd Gen is not a consolation purchase. It’s a speaker that earned its reputation the hard way by sounding excellent across years of real-world use and it still deserves that reputation