Beosound A1 3rd Gen Review: Portable Luxury from Bang and Olufsen
Design and Build
The Beosound A1 3rd Generation is a masterclass in minimalist design. It features a sleek, dome-shaped aluminum body with a smooth matte finish and elegant perforated grille. Weighing just 558g, it’s compact enough to fit in your palm, handbag, or backpack. The leather strap adds both portability and a premium touch, letting you hang it up or carry it effortlessly. With an IP67 rating, it’s fully dustproof and waterproof—perfect for beach trips, poolside playlists, or rainy days. It feels premium, looks stunning, and is built to handle everyday adventures.
Features
- 360-degree omnidirectional sound
- IP67 dust and waterproof certification
- Built-in Alexa voice assistant
- Bluetooth 5.1 for quick pairing and better range
- Multipoint connectivity (connect to two devices simultaneously)
- USB-C fast charging
- Up to 18 hours of playtime at moderate volume
Sound Quality
Despite its size, the A1 3rd Gen delivers rich, balanced sound. The 360-degree dispersion ensures your music sounds full no matter where you're sitting. Vocals are crisp, highs are clean, and the bass is surprisingly deep for such a compact speaker.
It’s best suited for small-to-medium spaces, and it truly shines in near-field listening—on a desk, a nightstand, or a dining table. For personal listening or background music at gatherings, it punches well above its size class.
Battery and Performance
Battery life has improved over previous generations. At moderate volume, you’ll get around 18 hours on a single charge. Max volume playback will bring that closer to 5–6 hours, but it’s still competitive. Charging via USB-C takes about 2.5 hours to full.
Voice assistants work well in quiet spaces, and the microphone array also allows for surprisingly clear speakerphone calls—ideal for work-from-home setups or quick catch-ups on the go.
Controls and Connectivity
The top of the speaker features tactile buttons for volume, play/pause, Bluetooth pairing, and voice assistant activation. Pairing is fast and reliable thanks to Bluetooth 5.1, and multipoint connectivity lets you seamlessly switch between two devices—perfect for juggling calls and playlists.
The Bang and Olufsen app allows for firmware updates and EQ adjustments, though the speaker sounds great out of the box.
Specifications
- Drivers: 3.5" woofer + 0.6" tweeter
- Amplifiers: 2 x 30W Class D (for woofer and tweeter)
- Frequency Response: 55Hz – 20kHz
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Charging Time: ~2.5 hours via USB-C
- Dimensions: 133 x 46 mm
- Weight: 558g
- Waterproof Rating: IP67
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Premium design and build quality
- Surprisingly powerful 360° sound
- Waterproof and highly portable
Cons:
- No aux-in port
- No stereo pairing with older models
- Alexa support can be limited when offline
FAQ
Can I use the Beosound A1 3rd Gen in the shower?
Yes, it’s IP67 rated and fully waterproof, making it suitable for the shower, pool, or outdoors.
Does it support stereo pairing?
Yes, but only with another 3rd Gen A1 model—not older Bang and Olufsen speakers.
Is it compatible with Siri or Google Assistant?
No, it comes with Alexa built-in. Other voice assistants are not supported.
Conclusion
The Beosound A1 3rd Gen is one of the best-looking and best-sounding portable speakers you can buy. It combines beautiful Danish design with surprisingly bold audio, excellent portability, and practical features like waterproofing and long battery life. If you value premium sound in a compact form, this is a luxury worth owning.