Beosound A1 3rd Gen: Premium Bluetooth Speaker Review by B&O

Experience the premium sound and design of Beosound A1 3rd Gen Bluetooth speaker with enhanced features and 360-degree audio.

The Evolution Since the Last Model

Since the Beosound A1 2nd Gen Bluetooth Speaker hit shelves in 2020, the world has witnessed many changes. That stylish portable Bluetooth speaker earned high praise among our team, snagging a five-star review and wowed testers with its captivating sound and superb build quality.

Surprisingly, it took five years for the third generation to arrive. During that time, we've seen a global pandemic, political upheavals, and even Tottenham Hotspur clinching a major trophy – that's how long it's been. While we admired the 2nd Gen Beosound A1, the audio world didn’t stand still.

Meanwhile, competitors like JBL accelerated their game, releasing one stunning portable Bluetooth speaker after another, and Bose stepped up with models like the excellent Soundlink Max Bluetooth Speaker. So here's the big question: Is the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen a triumphant comeback or has it fallen behind in this ever-evolving, fiercely competitive audio scene?

Price Point: Premium but Not Cheap

The Beosound A1 3rd Gen Bluetooth Speaker may be small, but it’s far from cheap. Priced at $249, this speaker sits firmly in the premium Bluetooth speaker category. Let’s be honest, B&O devices rarely go for bargain prices, regardless of shape or size.

The competition is fierce. The JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth Speaker, a slightly smaller alternative, costs only $150, while the excellent JBL Charge 6 Bluetooth Speaker sits at around $199. The premium Dali Katch G2 Bluetooth Speaker, though older, still retails near $600. If you want something closer in price to the B&O, JBL’s Xtreme 4 Bluetooth Speaker is about $300 but is much bigger and less portable — it won’t fit in your backpack as easily.

Build Quality and Design: Elegance in Every Detail

Back in 2020, we described the 2nd Gen as “like a large bread bun or an English muffin.” To help non-UK readers, imagine a big hamburger bun or a very thick pancake. The 3rd Gen model sticks to a round, fairly thick shape — smaller than a frisbee but more like a coaster.

This speaker simply radiates class. The Beosound A1 3rd Gen keeps its compact round form, designed to deliver 360-degree sound from a pearlescent aluminum body. A leather strap adds style and convenience, while the impressive IP67 rating protects against splashes, dust, and even immersion in water for about 30 minutes.

We tested the waterproof claim by briefly submerging the speaker in a sink and found no damage — a reassuring feature for outdoor use.

However, compared to rugged rivals like JBL’s rubberized and shockproof offerings, the Beosound A1 3rd Gen feels less bombproof. It won’t survive harsh treatment like those built to seemingly withstand a nuclear war, so treat it with care.

The minimalist design carries over seamlessly to the controls, which are subtly integrated on the sides to maintain the speaker’s perfect round shape. On one side, you have play/pause and volume buttons; on the other, Bluetooth pairing, power, and microphone buttons — all tactile and responsive.

The tiny LED status indicator could be more visible, but it shows power and pairing information clearly enough.

Bang & Olufsen claims this speaker is the world’s first Bluetooth speaker certified under the Cradle to Cradle standard, meaning it’s designed for repairability and sustainability. The A1’s lifespan is extended to around 10 years for its first use cycle, with a replaceable battery — a forward-thinking approach that may justify its higher price tag.

Features That Impress

Good news for anyone who found the 18-hour battery life of the 2nd Gen a bit tight: the new model boosts this to a respectable 24 hours at moderate volume. That matches the JBL Charge 6 Bluetooth Speaker’s battery life and far outperforms the 12 hours offered by the smaller JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth Speaker. The Dali Katch G2 Bluetooth Speaker still leads with a 30-hour runtime.

Bluetooth codec support is solid: SBC, AAC, and the higher-quality aptX Adaptive. The upgraded Bluetooth 5.1 here feels a bit behind current standards, as some competitors now use Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4. Still, connectivity is smooth and reliable.

A new highlight is the USB-C port now serving both as a charging port and audio input for wired playback, with a durable braided USB-C to USB-C cable included.

Equipped with a trio of microphones featuring B&O’s FarField tech, the speaker delivers clearer, crisper voice calls. Perfect for hands-free calls or using your digital assistant at home or in the office. Call quality is solid, rendering human speech clearly, although voices can sound a touch processed.

However, there are a few misses. The speaker does not support Auracast, a growing feature allowing simultaneous audio broadcast to multiple compatible devices. On the bright side, you can create a stereo pair with another Beosound A1 3rd Gen or even the older 2nd Gen model, handy if you already own one.

Interestingly, Bang & Olufsen has dropped Alexa support in this generation. While some might be disappointed, many probably don’t expect a portable speaker to act as a full smart assistant, especially since it’s often offline.

Sound Quality: Balanced and Authentic

B&O touts the A1 3rd Gen as having the largest low-frequency driver in its class, delivering deeper bass and rich, room-filling sound from a tiny chassis. The speaker houses two 30-watt Class D amplifiers powering an 82.5mm woofer and a 15mm tweeter, promising sound improvements that outshine the smooth and authoritative tone of the previous model.

We kicked off our listening tests with Ludwig Göransson’s “Can You Hear The Music” from Christopher Nolan's epic biopic Oppenheimer. The speaker excelled at midrange frequencies, capturing the authentic and gentle swell of soaring strings with grace.

Midrange brilliance extends to vocals too. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ “Into My Arms” showcased the speaker’s ability to render Cave’s voice with sincerity and depth. Compared to the JBL Charge 6 Bluetooth Speaker, B&O’s A1 felt more emotionally gripping and natural — a solid win for the premium speaker.

Bass isn’t the deepest out there, but it’s tight, punchy, and controlled — no muddy or overwhelming lows. The overall sound is cohesive and well-balanced, though it lacks the scale and depth of some JBL rivals.

An interesting discovery: using a wired USB-C connection to an iPhone 15 noticeably brightens the sound, adding clarity, punch, and liveliness compared to Bluetooth playback.

Is it the best-sounding Bluetooth speaker for the price? Not quite. The larger and cheaper JBL Xtreme 4 Bluetooth Speaker outperforms it easily. The JBL Charge 6 Bluetooth Speaker, also cheaper, offers exciting dynamics and musicality, making it a tough competitor. The A1’s $50 premium over the Charge 6 means you pay extra for design and brand prestige more than pure sound value.

Verdict: Stylish, Compact, and Capable

At first, the price of the Beosound A1 3rd Gen might raise eyebrows. For the same money, you can buy more powerful and larger speakers like the JBL Charge 6 Bluetooth Speaker or Xtreme 4 Bluetooth Speaker. With such tough competition, it’s tricky to pinpoint exactly where the A1 fits.

But here’s the thing: the A1 remains an impressive performer given its compact size. It offers enough sonic talent paired with stylish, classy build quality and a premium image, making it a charming buy. It sounds great for its size, even if it’s not the absolute best in its class.

Beosound A1 3rd Gen is not the ultimate champion for sound quality, but its unique appeal makes it a coveted gadget.

Ratings

• Sound: 4/5
• Build: 5/5
• Features: 4/5

“Beosound A1 3rd Gen’s combination of sleek design and authentic sound makes it a standout in the premium portable speaker market.” – Audio Enthusiast Review

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the battery life of the Beosound A1 3rd Gen?
  It offers up to 24 hours of playback at moderate volumes, a solid improvement over its predecessor.
• Is the Beosound A1 3rd Gen waterproof?
  Yes, it has an IP67 rating, protecting it against dust, splashes, and short water immersion.
• Can I pair two Beosound A1 3rd Gen speakers for stereo sound?
  Absolutely, you can create a stereo pair with another 3rd Gen model or even the 2nd Gen.
• Does it support Alexa or other smart assistants?
  No, B&O removed Alexa support in this generation.
• Can I use a wired connection for better audio?
  Yes, the USB-C port supports wired audio playback, enhancing sound clarity and detail.

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