Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen from Bang & Olufsen - compact luxury speaker now with Alexa built in
30.06.2026 - 19:09:26 | ad-hoc-news.de
By Julian Reed, ad hoc news New Launch Desk. Reviewed June 30, 2026, 1:10 PM ET. Details in the imprint.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen sits on the corner of a marble kitchen counter, its aluminum dome catching the late-afternoon light as a Spotify playlist hums quietly behind the clink of glasses. In the space of a coaster, it pushes out surprisingly full sound and responds instantly to a softly spoken Alexa command.
Portable speaker with Alexa
Bang & Olufsen launched the Beosound A1 2nd Gen as an update to its compact Bluetooth speaker line, adding built-in Amazon Alexa voice control while keeping the circular form factor many design-focused buyers know from the original A1. Product page
The speaker is officially sold in the US through Bang & Olufsen’s online store and selected retailers, typically around 249 USD depending on finish and promotional activity. US shop listing For US consumers, that puts it in the premium compact-speaker bracket beyond most mass-market Bluetooth units.
Design, size, and materials
At roughly 13.3 cm in diameter and about 4.6 cm high, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen feels closer to a small dessert plate than a typical boxy speaker, with a perforated aluminum grill on top and a slightly rubberized base that keeps it from sliding when the bass kicks in. Launch press release
The leather carrying strap loops easily around a wrist or hooks on a bag, a detail that product manager Christoffer Østergaard highlighted in Bang & Olufsen’s launch material as part of the effort to make the A1 2nd Gen genuinely portable rather than just small. Company news story In hand, the weight of around 558 g gives it a reassuring heft without feeling like a brick in a backpack.
More on Bang & Olufsen stock and audio line
Explore how premium portable speakers like the Beosound A1 2nd Gen fit into Bang & Olufsen’s broader consumer audio strategy.
Sound profile and drivers
Under that minimalist shell, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen uses a 3.5 inch woofer and a 0.6 inch tweeter powered by two 30 W class D amplifiers, a setup tuned by Bang & Olufsen’s acoustic engineers to emphasize clarity in vocals and a surprisingly firm low end for such a small enclosure.
Listening at arm’s length, acoustic guitar tracks come through with crisp plucking and a gentle warmth, while pop playlists maintain enough bass to feel present without rattling objects on the table. Tech reviewers at Trusted Reviews noted that the A1 2nd Gen delivers rich, balanced sound and avoids the harshness that can plague smaller Bluetooth speakers. Trusted Reviews test
Battery life and waterproof rating
Bang & Olufsen specifies up to 18 hours of battery life at typical listening volumes, measured at around 70 dB sound pressure level in controlled tests. In practical use, reviewers have reported closer to 12-18 hours depending on volume, Bluetooth distance, and whether voice assistant features are active.
The Beosound A1 2nd Gen carries an IP67 rating, meaning it is dust tight and can withstand immersion in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. In a real-world scenario, that translates to shrugging off a spilled drink by the pool or a sudden rain shower during a backyard gathering without immediate damage.
Bluetooth, multipoint, and app control
The speaker supports Bluetooth 5.1, with Bang & Olufsen quoting ranges of up to 10 m between the source device and the A1 2nd Gen under normal indoor conditions. That allows a phone to sit on a sideboard while the A1 rests on a balcony table, music staying stable as guests move about.
Through the Bang & Olufsen app, available for iOS and Android, users can adjust equalizer settings, manage pairing, and update firmware. The app also enables stereo pairing for two Beosound A1 2nd Gen units, creating left and right channels for a wider soundstage, a feature reviewers at What Hi-Fi flagged as a plus for small living rooms. What Hi-Fi review
Alexa integration and microphones
Alexa is integrated directly into the Beosound A1 2nd Gen rather than relying solely on phone-based voice assistants, which allows hands-free control over playback, volume, and smart-home devices as long as the speaker is connected to the internet via a companion device.
Three far-field microphones around the perimeter pick up voice commands from several feet away; standing at the sink with running water, a user can still call out “Alexa, turn it down” and hear the music slide to a lower level after the familiar tone. Bang & Olufsen emphasizes that microphone tuning is designed to capture speech even with moderate background noise.
Calling and conferencing use
The same microphone array supports speakerphone functionality for calls or online meetings, effectively turning the A1 2nd Gen into a compact conference speaker in a small office. Voice on the other end tends to sound more natural than through many laptop speakers, thanks to the dedicated tweeter and tuning.
Some business users have noted that while it is not a replacement for specialized conference hardware in larger rooms, it works comfortably for one or two people on a video call, especially when the speaker sits near the center of the desk. For remote workers with limited space, that dual role adds value beyond leisure listening.
Colors, finishes, and US availability
Bang & Olufsen offers the Beosound A1 2nd Gen in multiple colors, including Black Anthracite, Grey Mist, and Gold Tone, with seasonal variants appearing over time. In US stores, Black Anthracite and Grey Mist are typically the easiest to find, while some limited editions circulate through Bang & Olufsen’s own boutiques.
Availability in the US remains steady, with the model present in the company’s online store and at select third-party retailers such as Best Buy and high-end audio shops, though stock levels can vary by color and region. For investors, that consistent US presence speaks to Bang & Olufsen’s focus on international premium consumer segments rather than relying only on Scandinavian demand.
Pricing and competitive landscape
At an MSRP around 249 USD in the US, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen prices well above mainstream portable speakers from brands like JBL or Anker, which often sit under 150 USD, and closer to the bracket of Bose’s and Sony’s step-up portable options.
Bang & Olufsen leans heavily on design, material quality, and audio tuning to justify that price, targeting customers who are willing to pay extra for a compact speaker that looks at home next to designer furniture or a high-end coffee setup. Analyst commentary in European press has frequently framed the company as a niche player focused on affluent urban consumers rather than broad volume competition. Reuters strategy piece
Launch timeline and updates
Bang & Olufsen introduced the Beosound A1 2nd Gen in 2020 as the successor to the original A1, adding Alexa, longer battery life, and waterproofing while refining the design. Since launch, firmware updates have improved stability and sometimes adjusted voice assistant behavior through the companion app.
The A1 2nd Gen remains in the current portfolio as of mid-2026, positioned as the company’s main compact portable speaker rather than a limited drop. That longevity, coupled with continued marketing, suggests the product is a meaningful contributor to the brand’s portable audio revenue, even as newer models appear in other categories.
Investor context and stock angle
For US-based investors looking at Bang & Olufsen, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen is one of several consumer-focused lines where design and premium pricing intersect with broader trends in home and portable audio. Portable speakers with integrated voice assistants sit at the crossroads of hardware and ecosystem, a space where brand recognition can support pricing power.
Bang & Olufsen stock (NASDAQ: BNGOF, ISIN DK0010218429) trades in the US as an over-the-counter listing referencing the company’s primary listing in Copenhagen, with performance tied to demand for high-margin products such as the Beosound A1 2nd Gen and other audio systems rather than mass-market volume growth.
Key facts about Beosound A1 2nd Gen
- Product: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 2nd Gen
- Manufacturer: Bang & Olufsen A/S
- Category: New launch portable Bluetooth speaker
- Launch: 2020, global rollout from Europe
- MSRP / Price: Approx. 249 USD in the US market
- Availability: Bang & Olufsen US online store, brand boutiques, select retailers
- Target audience: Design-focused consumers seeking premium portable audio with voice control
- Standout / USP: Compact, IP67-rated portable speaker combining Bang & Olufsen tuning with Alexa integration and refined materials
This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information is provided without warranty; prices and availability may change at short notice. Not investment advice and not a buy or sell recommendation. Securities trading carries risks up to total loss.
