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Portable speakers aren’t really considered luxury unless they’re made by a company like Bang & Olufsen. The Danish audio gadget is famous for his extravagant take on home his entertainment gear, headphones and even his Bluetooth speakers. Today B&O announces its latest portable option, the Beosound A5.Built in collaboration with designers gum fratessiThe A5 combines aluminum, wood, and paper fibers to give a decidedly high-end finish to a modern portable speaker. As with all of the company’s products, it’s priced at a premium to match.
According to Bang & Olufsen, the Nordic Weave color option is inspired by “a lazy Scandinavian summer at the beach,” with an aluminum top and bottom, light oak handles and a paper fiber grille. There’s also a black anthracite aluminum version with dark oak handles and matching speaker covers that evoke a ‘winter forest aesthetic’. Despite the seemingly whimsical materials, the company says the A5 is IP65 rated waterproof and dustproof, so you can casually use it outdoors. If not.
Another notable thing about the Beosound A5 is its modular design. B&O says it chose this construction for easy repair with the goal of extending the life of the speaker. The company also plans to sell additional covers in other materials and colors for customization.The A5 works with B&O’s Mozart software. This will allow the company to introduce new capabilities for both voice and connectivity. For example, proximity pairing is already in progress. Mozart also allows you to use the two units in a stereo setup or integrate the A5 into a multi-room arrangement.
According to the company, the Beosound A5 is the most powerful portable speaker ever thanks to a four-driver arrangement and four digital amplifiers producing 280 watts. B&O says it’s enough to fill a larger space with 360-degree sound. Specifically, the A5 has a 5.25-inch woofer, two 2-inch midrange drivers, and a 3/4-inch tweeter. The speaker also offers beamforming audio technology from his high-end Beolab 90 and 50 hi-fi speakers. Bang & Olufsen says the addition “creates an immersive experience that goes far beyond what you’d expect from a portable speaker.” Additionally, AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect are all options for audio playback.
The A5 offers 12 hours of playback on a single charge, and the top panel doubles as a wireless phone charger. Of course, topping up the handset definitely affects battery life. On-board controls allow you to access basic audio adjustments or make adjustments within the Bang & Olufsen App.
Beosound A5 is available in stores and online from today. The Nordic Weave color option is priced at $1,049 (£899/€999), while the Dark Oak version is $1,149 (£999/€1099).
Gallery: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 | | 21 photos
Gallery: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 | | 21 photos