B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen Review: The New Benchmark in Portable Speakers

Experience premium portable audio with B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen, delivering enhanced bass, long battery life, and stylish design.

Introduction

Every Bang & Olufsen device balances art and technology, and the B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen continues this proud tradition. While smaller and more compact than the brand’s towering floor-standing systems, this Bluetooth speaker has earned its iconic status. At first glance, it might seem not much has changed in the third generation.

However, under the hood, audio engineers have worked hard to beef up the low-end performance. This means that this tiny music box packs enough bass to compete with much larger speakers. Battery life has also been extended, making the Beosound A1 3rd Gen even more indispensable for outdoor use. That said, some features from the previous model have been dropped, and the price tag of around $349 firmly places it well above more budget-friendly portable speakers. I took it on a week-long trip to see how it performs on the go.

Design and Build: A Pearlescent Burger Bun

Let’s be honest—there aren’t many portable speakers as instantly recognizable as the B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen. The puck-shaped design sticks true to its predecessors, featuring an aluminum top grille with a pearlescent finish and 2173 precisely milled holes on its surface. The polymer base is engineered to withstand heavy wear and dampen vibrations from the speaker to whatever surface it rests on. It also offers a grippy feel that prevents slipping.

Despite fitting comfortably in the palm, the speaker has a solid heft. At 576 grams, it’s not so heavy that you’d hesitate to bring it along, but it’s not the easiest to slip into a bike bottle holder or a slim bag compartment. Still, I had no trouble finding a cozy spot in some backpack pockets.

My review unit in the Honey Tone finish — a blend of bronze and rose gold — is one of two fresh colors, the other being Eucalyptus. Bang & Olufsen also revived the Natural Aluminium variant. No matter which you pick, these shades blend effortlessly into any interior design setup.

Danish industrial designer Cecilie Manz returned for the third iteration, maintaining the speaker’s fresh aesthetic. The only noticeable change is a simplified metal attachment for the leather wrist strap. The speaker remains waterproof with an IP67 rating, meaning it laughs in the face of rain and splashes.

Bang & Olufsen earns kudos for the Beosound A1 3rd Gen’s "Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze" certification—the first Bluetooth speaker to achieve this, signifying the use of eco-friendly, recyclable materials. The battery is now replaceable by authorized service, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainability. Hopefully, this speaker will never end up in a landfill.

Features and Battery: The Danish Powerhouse Keeps Rolling

Keeping it simple, the B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen sports a single LED activity indicator subtly embedded in the grille and a handful of buttons along the edge. These control power, playback, volume, and Bluetooth pairing. There’s also a microphone mute button since the speaker doubles as a hands-free device, with three built-in mics that clearly picked up my voice during calls through the connected smartphone.

One thing you won’t find here is Alexa integration. The previous 2nd Gen model could use your phone’s voice assistant capabilities despite lacking Wi-Fi. Personally, I didn’t miss it much since I usually have my phone handy when using a portable speaker, but it’s worth noting if you’re an Alexa aficionado.

The single USB-C port supports wired playback if you prefer, though most users will stick with Bluetooth. The Beosound A1 3rd Gen supports multipoint connection, Microsoft Swift Pair, and Google Fast Pair, making setup a breeze. AptX Adaptive returns for high-quality streaming, but using Bluetooth 5.1 means it doesn’t support Auracast, limiting future connectivity upgrades compared to some rivals.

While I didn’t have a second speaker to test stereo pairing, the Beosound A1 3rd Gen supports it and can also pair with the older 2nd Gen model if you already own one.

Battery life is impressive. The built-in 3300mAh cell offers six extra hours over the previous generation, delivering around 24 hours of playback at reasonable volumes. Charging isn’t lightning-fast, requiring several hours to fully replenish.

User Interface: Plug, Play, and Tweak

The device’s onboard controls mean you might not rush to download the Bang & Olufsen smartphone app—but it’s worth it. Besides firmware updates and stereo pairing setup, the app lets you customize the sound.

Five equalizer presets are included, though some are a bit abstract (“ambient,” “favourite”), while others are clearer (“party,” “speech,” “optimal,” which is the default). You can create your own custom settings, but the traditional multi-band EQ is replaced with a simple dial featuring labels like “Energetic” and “Relaxed.” This is a clever way to keep things accessible for users who don’t want to fuss over bass or treble levels. The app’s minimalistic design complements the speaker’s sleek style without overwhelming you with options.

Including internet radio streaming in the app is a smart touch, ensuring you always have something to listen to. You can also access your Deezer and Tidal libraries. Spotify is mentioned but only symbolically—you’ll need to open its own app to pick playlists.

Sound Quality: Let Me Entertain You

Inside the Beosound A1 3rd Gen, Bang & Olufsen squeezed an 82.55mm woofer/midrange driver and a 15.24mm tweeter, powered by dual 30W Class D amplifiers. The bass boost is noticeable compared to the older model. While the previous version wasn't exactly lifeless, I appreciated the extra punch when playing my summer dance playlist on Spotify. The beat drop in Phats & Small’s “Turn Around” really hit hard.

The sound tuning hasn’t shifted drastically toward bass; this isn’t a purely analytical audiophile speaker. The sound leans warm and dynamic, more engaging than B&O’s pricier models but perfect for impromptu background tracks where a Bluetooth speaker shines. Chaism’s “Isolated” maintained its soft electronic drum groove outdoors, proving the A1 keeps its presence beyond four walls.

Treble remains clean and controlled with good detail for a speaker this size. Vocals have solid presence, and Luude’s “Big City Life” cut through the persistent hi-hats clearly. The frequency range is well balanced, with fullness where it should be and breathing room elsewhere. There’s no noticeable transition between drivers, and you can crank the volume without losing soundstage integrity.

Yes, the Beosound A1 won't out-shout much larger speakers. Some similar-sized portables are louder, which might matter if you're aiming for a raucous pool party soundtrack. But for a yacht day or après-ski session vibe? Absolutely.

This sound leans warm and dynamic, more engaging than B&O’s pricier models but perfect for impromptu background tracks.

Reviewer

B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen Verdict

Rugged, durable portable Bluetooth speakers aren’t rare, but few feel as luxurious as the B&O Beosound A1. The third generation continues to impress with sound quality that matches its elegant style. While it may not be the loudest among cheaper alternatives, the audio fidelity is top notch.

Sure, the JBL Flip 7 costs nearly three times less and offers extra features like Auracast, but it can't compete on looks, repairability, or style statement the B&O A1 3rd Gen makes. If your outdoor speaker needs lean more toward stylish garden parties than hiking trails—and your budget allows—the Beosound A1 3rd Gen should be a top contender.

B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen Specifications

• What makes the B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen stand out from other portable speakers?
  Its combination of premium materials, elegant design, boosted bass, long battery life, and eco-friendly certification sets it apart.
• Is the B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen waterproof?
  Yes, it has an IP67 rating, making it dustproof and water-resistant enough for rain and splashes.
• Can the B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen connect to multiple devices at once?
  It supports multipoint Bluetooth connection, allowing pairing with two devices simultaneously.
• Does it support stereo pairing?
  Yes, you can pair two Beosound A1 3rd Gen speakers for stereo sound or even pair one with a 2nd Gen model.
• How long does the battery last on a full charge?
  You can expect about 24 hours of playback at moderate volume levels, though charging takes several hours.

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