Best Bang & Olufsen speaker in 2024

Bang & Olufsen embodies Danish quality with eye-catching designs, premium quality, and amazing audio. The best Bang & Olufsen speakers stand out from their rivals with minimalist, functional designs that blend in with your decor and bring quality sound to parties and movie nights when paired with the right TVs, projectors, and smartphones.

Related

Best Sonos speakers: Audiophile tested and reviewed

From the portable Sonos Roam to the impressive Sonos Arc, this is an audiophile’s guide to the best Sonos speakers.

Pocket-lint has a team of experts constantly evaluating the best soundbars, headphones, and other audio products, and they spent days testing many of the Bang & Olufsen speakers on our list to see how they perform. They then graded the speakers based on their performance while ensuring there was a wide variety to appeal to most buyers and applications.

Best Bang & Olufsen speakers: Our favorite sounds

B&O Beosound Balance

1. Best speaker overall

Premium style and sound

The Beosound Balance offers excellent style and performance with a minimalist design and seven integrated speakers to enjoy your music and movies in absolute clarity.

Pros

• Great sound
• Stylish design
• Fantastic build quality

Cons

• Pricey
• Performance is dependent on placement

The Beosound Balance continues to be a favorite despite its age because it epitomizes good taste with its circular lamp-like appearance and earthy Natural, stylish Black, or industrial Natural Aluminum color options. The design offers 360-degree sound from the seven built-in speakers with up to 880W of total power and includes handy touch controls on the aluminum top plate.

Read our review

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance: Opulent audio

Factor in the looks, the choice of materials and the exemplary construction, and you’ve a speaker that can loosen a wallet faster than most.

Customizing the sound to suit your setting is a breeze with the Bang & Olufsen control app, and you can use Beolink to connect multiple speakers together if you want a multi-room system. There are also built-in microphones for Google Assistant voice control, and it includes Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity with Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 to stream from your devices.

It may be hard to justify the Beosound Balance’s hefty price based on sound alone, but it’s worth it as a piece of functional art that creates harmony in your home while playing your favorite songs. You’ll also get years of service because of its solid build quality, but you’ll need to place it in an optimal position for the best performance.

B&O Beosound A9

2. Best premium speaker

Artistic sound

The Beosound A9 grabs attention in any room thanks to its unique design, which includes a subwoofer, drivers, and speakers for the best listening experience.

Pros

• Available in various colors
• Customizable covers
• Great sound

Cons

• Premium pricing
• Polarizing design

The Beosound A9 is for people who want something unique and don’t mind paying for outstanding design and quality. Its unconventional appearance resembles a giant disc standing on three legs and comes in standard colors, like Natural Aluminum and Black Anthracite, as well as themed options from artists like Savonne Wong and Thomas Lin Pederson. You can also protect and customize the A9 with various covers if you get bored with the original design.

Bang & Olufsen’s A9 isn’t just about form and offers big sound from its two three-inch mid-range drivers, 1.5-inch full-range drivers, and 0.75-inch tweeters, with deep bass from the eight-inch subwoofer. The current fifth-generation A9 includes Google Voice Assistant capability and can pair with other similar speakers via Beoplay for stereo sound.

Few people are willing to fork out thousands of dollars for a single speaker, but those who get the A9 will be rewarded with an innovative piece of tech that looks like nothing else out there. Its legendary design is now in its fifth generation and has never been better, with access to most streaming services and Bluetooth 5.3.

B&O Beosound A5

3. Best outdoor speaker

Sound on the go

The Beosound A5 is the perfect speaker for picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor events because of its tough IP65 rating, and it looks great, with a stylish design and carrying handle.

Pros

• IP65 rating
• Stunning design
• Long battery life

Anyone looking for an outdoor speaker for picnics and other outdoor activities can try the Beosound A5, which resembles an old-school radio with its rounded design and convenient carry handle. It’s available in stylish designs like Dark Oak, Nordic Weave, and Spaced Aluminum and includes IP65 water and dust resistance to protect against outside elements.

Sound is courtesy of a pair of two-inch drivers, a 5.25-inch woofer, and a 0.8-inch tweeter, and you get a decent battery life of around 12 hours on a single charge. Bang and Olufsen is known for its functional design, and the A5 includes a handy Qi-compatible wireless charger on the tough aluminum frame to charge your iPhone or Samsung when you’re out and about.

Related

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 mixes retro chic with today’s speaker tech

B&O delivers a portable speaker inspired by 1960’s Beolit radio.

The A5 isn’t the lightest speaker because of its sturdy materials, but it’s easy to carry with a comfortable folding handle. Value depends on the eye of the beholder, and it more than justifies its cost with all-around quality, a wireless charger, and excellent battery life.

B&O Beosound 2

4. Best speaker design

Style and substance

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 has an eye-catching industrial design and outstanding audio performance with 360-degree sound to enjoy your music and podcasts.

Pros

• Stylish industrial design
• Full sound
• Durable

Picking the best-designed Bang & Olufsen speaker is tough, with so many eye-catching options available, but we think the Beosound 2 takes the crown with its industrial design that looks like an alien artifact. The inverted metallic cone design is available in Natural, Black Anthracite, and Natural and offers a brilliant 360-degree sound as a standalone speaker or when paired with a similar model through the Beoplay app.

Audio performance is top-notch from the two-inch mid-range speakers, a 0.75-inch tweeter, and the 5.25-inch subwoofer, and it has a feature called Active RoomSense to automatically adjust the sound depending on the speaker’s position in the room. The quality extends to the user-friendly control panel that lights up and aligns to your direction with a proximity sensor.

The Beosound 2 speaker produces rich, full sound no matter where you place it in a room, but most buyers will get it for its outstanding design. Few speakers are so pleasing to the eye, and it’s worth it if you’re willing to pay for beautiful equipment instead of settling for something average.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore

5. Best durable speaker

When the going gets tough

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore is the perfect speaker for hiking and camping trips because it has a tough anodized aluminum body with an IP67 rating to protect it from the elements.

Pros

• IP67 rating
• Anodized aluminum body
• 27-hour battery

Cons

• No voice assistant compatibility
• Not the loudest speaker

Campers, hikers, and anyone who frequents the wilderness require a tough speaker like the Beosound Explore to withstand the elements. Its tough anodized aluminum frame comes in various colors, like Grey Mist and Black Anthracite, and has a lightweight design with a nifty loop and carabiner to attach to your backpack. The IP67 rating means it can withstand dust and submersion in water, so it’s ready to take on the harshest weather conditions.

Read our review

Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore: Canny design?

The portable speaker is B&O’s answer to 360-degree output, but does it trump the company’s existing range to make it worthwhile?

There’s no worrying about it dying on the longest trip thanks to its lengthy 27-hour battery life, and it’s easy to charge again via USB-C. The controls are fairly straightforward, with the play, Bluetooth and volume buttons at the top, and you can also use the Bang & Olufsen app for creating custom EQs and other advanced adjustments.

The Beosound Explore is compact yet tough enough to survive grueling expeditions and has a long battery, so you’ll never run out of entertainment. It offers excellent 360-degree sound in a rugged package, and it’s easy to forgive its minor drawbacks like the average loudness and lack of voice assistant compatibility.

B&O Beosound Emerge

6. Best bookshelf speaker

Slim and stylish bookshelf sound, literally

The Beosound Emerge takes its bookshelf speaker description seriously by looking like an actual book with a slimline design that can fit anywhere to produce quality sound.

Pros

• Loud
• Stylish looks
• Fits anywhere

Cons

• Small soundstage
• Indoor use only

The Beosound Emerge can fit on most desks and shelves with its compact, 3.7 x 9.0 x 2.2-inch design and is available in organic Gold Tone or futuristic Black Anthracite made from sturdy aluminum and high-quality Kvadat fabric. Its slimline design makes it ideal for users wanting superb sound in a clutter-free working environment and includes 3.5mm and optical in ports together with Ethernet to connect to routers and other network devices.

Under the tiny hood is a 4-inch woofer with a 1.45-inch mid-range driver and a 0.6-inch tweeter, which can adapt to the room it’s positioned in via the nifty app. Connecting is easy via Bluetooth 5.0, and it supports Apple Airplay 2 and Chromecast for easy streaming from your devices. The Emerge includes Google Assistant compatibility for voice activation, or you can use the responsive touch controls conveniently located on the top of the speaker.

This speaker is a testament to advancing technology, and it’s hard to believe how its diminutive size can produce such high volume and clarity despite its smaller soundstage. For once, the distinct Bang & Olufsen design doesn’t cost a premium, and the Emerge comes at a competitive price that’s hard to resist if you’re looking for the best bookshelf speakers.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (Second Generation)

7. Best compact speaker

Small and tough

$250 $280 Save $30

The second-gen Beosound A1 comes in various colors and is perfect for outdoor activities because it has an IP67 rating to protect it against dust and water and includes an 18-hour battery.

Pros

• Compact size
• IP67 rating
• 18-hour battery

Cons

• No Stereo sound
• No voice assistant

The disc-like Beosound A1 is the perfect companion for outdoor adventures because of its flat shape that can fit most bags and convenient lanyard for easy carry. No other Bang & Olufsen speaker offers so many color options, with nine to pick from, including Grey Mist, Lunar Red, and Nordic Ice, all made from aluminum and leather. You won’t need to worry about rain and moisture damage because of the IP67 rating, which also stops dust from getting inside.

Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound A1 houses a 0.6-inch tweeter and a 3.5-inch woofer to produce booming sound, and its 18-hour battery life makes it ideal for all-day functions or parties. You can also make voice calls with three built-in microphones or add another speaker for more fun via the app. If apps aren’t your thing, there are touch buttons on the side and Alexa voice control to adjust the volume and more for added convenience.

It’s wise to have a tough speaker if you go to the beach or other places with dirt and moisture, and Bang & Olufsen has you covered with the Beosound A1. The rugged exterior has an IP67 rating to work in any environment, and the 18-hour battery should last all day.

The bottom line: Which is the best Bang & Olufsen speaker?

The Beosound balance is the best Bang & Olufsen speaker because it offers full 360-degree sound in a stylish package. Anyone looking for something special to turn heads can try the Beosound A9 because of its unique design and amazing audio. The Beosound A5 offers the best value because it sounds good and includes an IP65 rating, a 12-hour battery, and a wireless charger for your smartphone.

B&O Beosound Balance

Editor’s Choice

How did we choose the best Bang & Olufsen speaker?

We specialize in testing audio equipment and other devices at Pocket-lint, and our team has hands-on experience with most of the models on our list. They evaluated the speakers based on sound quality, design, and value to rank them while including options for every use.

Sound quality was tough to decide because all the speakers listed here are among the best in their categories. You can’t go wrong with any options, with even the budget models offering great sound for the price.

Most Bang & Olufsen speakers have stunning designs, and we added a mix of indoor and outdoor speakers at every price point, so there’s one for every buyer.

Value is always a consideration because it affects most buying decisions. It may be difficult to quantify value when talking about premium products, but all the speakers listed here can justify their cost by offering unique designs and exceptional performance to stand out from the competition.

Are Bang & Olufsen speakers good quality?

Bang & Olufsen speakers are renowned for their excellent sound and build quality and are often available in unique, eye-catching designs.

Why are Bang & Olufsen speakers so expensive?

Bang & Olufsen speakers are expensive because they use premium materials like wood and aluminum and require expensive research and development to craft unique and interesting designs.

Are Bang & Olufsen speakers better than Bose?

Both are considered premium brands with outstanding sound quality, and it comes down to individual models and the user’s listening preferences.