Beosound A1 2nd Gen from Bang & Olufsen - portable speaker with Alexa and IP67

By Daniel Foster, ad hoc news New Launch Desk. Reviewed June 30, 2026, 2:49 PM ET. Details in the imprint.

Beosound A1 2nd Gen is the rare gadget you can toss into a backpack, pull out on a Brooklyn rooftop, and actually hear the bass over the city noise. The leather strap feels dry and firm in the hand, and the speaker’s aluminum top stays cool even in direct sun.

Compact speaker with serious specs

Bang & Olufsen positions the Beosound A1 2nd Gen as a portable Bluetooth speaker for design?conscious users who still care about numbers: up to 18 hours of playback at typical volumes and IP67 dust and water resistance.

The circular speaker weighs about 1.2 pounds, uses a 3.5?inch woofer plus 0.75?inch dome tweeter, and supports Bluetooth 5.1 with Microsoft Swift Pair, Google Fast Pair, and Made for iPhone certification.

360?degree sound, Alexa built in

Because of the down?firing driver layout and rounded chassis, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen throws out a surprisingly even 360?degree sound field, so the playlist doesn’t collapse if you’re sitting off to the side.

Bang & Olufsen says eight far?field microphones and beamforming help Amazon Alexa understand voice commands even when music is playing, as long as the speaker is connected to a phone with the Alexa app installed.

US pricing, colors, and battery life

On Bang & Olufsen’s US site, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen lists at about 279 dollars, though specific colors like Black Anthracite, Grey Mist, and Gold Tone rotate in and out of stock.

The company claims up to 18 hours of playback at moderate volume and roughly 3 hours to recharge over USB?C, using a 3,000 mAh battery.

Design details that matter

Product manager Christoffer Poulsen has argued in past interviews that compact speakers should feel as considered as larger lounge systems, and the A1 2nd Gen reflects that stance with its matte anodized aluminum dome and stiff polymer base.

In hand, the A1 2nd Gen feels dense but not brick?like; pressing on the grille produces almost no flex, and the rubber base grips café tables so the speaker does not rattle or creep during bass?heavy tracks.

Calling, pairing, and stereo mode

For calls, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen doubles as a speakerphone; Bang & Olufsen highlights upgraded microphone performance versus the first generation, with echo cancellation and the option to join Microsoft Teams meetings through a paired laptop or phone.

Through the Bang & Olufsen app, two A1 2nd Gen units can be paired as a stereo set, giving left?right separation that a single puck?style speaker cannot deliver in a small living room or office.

How it compares with rivals

Third?party reviewers like RTINGS measure the A1 2nd Gen as having a fairly balanced midrange and decent bass for its size, though it lacks very deep sub?bass compared with larger party speakers.

Compared with mass?market competitors from JBL or Sony in the same price band, the A1 2nd Gen leans more toward design and vocal clarity than raw output or light shows.

Retail channels and promotions

Bang & Olufsen sells the A1 2nd Gen through its own US web store, branded boutiques, and selected retailers; the speaker also appears at major US chains and online marketplaces, sometimes with small discounts during seasonal sales.

Because it sits near the 300 dollar mark, the A1 2nd Gen often features in premium?gift roundups and corporate gifting catalogs, especially in tech hubs like San Francisco and New York, where compact space and stylistic consistency matter.

Why US investors care

Bang & Olufsen may be better known for expensive home speakers and TVs, but compact products such as the Beosound A1 2nd Gen help the company reach younger customers who are not ready for multi?thousand?dollar systems yet.

Bang & Olufsen stock (OTC: BNGOF, ISIN DK0010218429) gives US investors indirect exposure to this premium portable?audio niche via an over?the?counter listing rather than a primary US exchange.

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.