The Beosound A1 2nd Gen portable smart speaker is a classy, premium-built device that just crashed to £179—a rare discount for a Bang & Olufsen product that normally commands a higher price tag. This isn’t a budget Bluetooth speaker masquerading as premium; it’s a genuinely well-crafted portable device with the design language and build quality you’d expect from the Danish luxury audio brand.
Key Takeaways
- Beosound A1 2nd Gen dropped to £179, a significant discount on this premium portable speaker
- Designed with Bang & Olufsen’s signature aesthetic and premium materials
- Portable smart speaker that competes directly with budget-focused alternatives
- Offers a classy alternative to mass-market Bluetooth speakers
- Limited-time pricing makes this an unusual opportunity for B&O audio at lower entry cost
Why Premium Portable Speakers Matter
The portable speaker market splits into two camps: budget-conscious devices that prioritize features over finish, and luxury alternatives that demand higher prices for superior design and materials. The Beosound A1 2nd Gen sits firmly in the latter category, but at £179, it’s approaching territory where premium audio enthusiasts actually consider the investment worthwhile. Most portable Bluetooth speakers in this price range compromise on build quality or sound character. Bang & Olufsen’s approach has always been different—the brand treats a portable speaker as an object worth keeping on your desk or nightstand, not just a utilitarian travel companion.
What separates the Beosound A1 2nd Gen from commodity Bluetooth speakers is the attention to materials and finish. This isn’t marketing speak; it’s the difference between a device that feels solid in your hands versus one that feels hollow. The speaker carries Bang & Olufsen’s design DNA, meaning it prioritizes restraint and elegance over flashy RGB lighting or aggressive styling. For users who spend money on their living spaces and care how their devices look, that matters.
Beosound A1 2nd Gen vs Budget Alternatives
The typical comparison point for a portable speaker in this price range would be mass-market Bluetooth devices from brands that optimize for feature count rather than craftsmanship. Those speakers often include more connectivity options, longer battery life claims, or louder peak volumes. The Beosound A1 2nd Gen doesn’t compete on a spec sheet; it competes on the experience of owning and using the device. You’re paying for a product that will look intentional in your home, not like an impulse purchase from a big-box retailer.
At £179, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen also sits below the price of Bang & Olufsen’s larger Beolit 15 model, which positions it as an entry point to the brand’s audio ecosystem. For someone curious about B&O sound character but unwilling to commit to flagship pricing, this discount creates a genuine opportunity. The speaker is portable enough for travel or moving between rooms, yet refined enough to serve as a permanent fixture in a bedroom or study.
Should You Buy the Beosound A1 2nd Gen at £179?
Yes, if you value design and build quality alongside audio performance. No, if you prioritize maximum volume, advanced connectivity features, or the longest battery life claims on paper. This speaker is for people who see their devices as part of their home’s aesthetic, not just functional boxes. The £179 price point removes one of the traditional objections to Bang & Olufsen products—the brand’s premium positioning. At this price, you’re not overpaying for the name; you’re getting a genuinely well-made portable speaker that happens to come from a luxury audio house.
The discount appears to be time-limited, which means this price won’t last forever. If you’ve been curious about Bang & Olufsen’s approach to portable audio but hesitated at full retail, this is the moment to act. The Beosound A1 2nd Gen won’t outspec a £50 Bluetooth speaker, but it will outlast one in both durability and design relevance.
Is the Beosound A1 2nd Gen worth upgrading from a budget speaker?
If your current speaker works fine but feels cheap, yes. The upgrade is about build quality and design satisfaction, not dramatic audio improvements. You’re paying for an object you’ll want to keep visible rather than hide in a drawer.
How does the Beosound A1 2nd Gen compare to the Beolit 15?
The Beolit 15 is a larger, more powerful speaker at a higher price point. The A1 2nd Gen is the portable, entry-level option that lets you experience Bang & Olufsen’s design philosophy without a major investment.
What makes a portable speaker worth the premium price?
Materials, finish, and how the device looks in your space matter as much as raw audio specs for premium speakers. The Beosound A1 2nd Gen delivers on all three, which justifies its position above commodity Bluetooth speakers.
At £179, the Beosound A1 2nd Gen stops being an expensive curiosity and becomes a legitimate choice for anyone tired of featureless plastic speakers cluttering their home. This is the rare moment when luxury audio design becomes genuinely accessible.
Where to Buy
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: What Hi-Fi?
