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B&O’s new portable speaker begs audiophiles to believe in Bluetooth

bos new portable speaker bluetooth beoplay a2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
If you’ve been skeptical about sacrificing performance and style in a portable speaker, your worries may be over thanks to the premium audio specialists at Bang & Olufsen. The Danish-based company recently pulled the tarp off of its latest creation, the elegant yet surprisingly powerful new Beoplay A2 portable Bluetooth speaker.

The A2 is B&O’s first offering into the extremely competitive Bluetooth speaker market, and as such, the company has gone big in more ways than one. While the speaker’s minimalist design is slim as a hardback book, it measures over 10-inches across and 5.6-inches high. That makes it just trim enough to tag along on your sonic adventures, but it will require a bag, rather than a pocket. And with a copious 24 hours of claimed playback time, the A2 touts one of the longest running Bluetooth speaker batteries you can buy.

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And that’s just for starters. The A2 carries only 2.4 pounds, but B&O has loaded it with a potent arsenal of components, including a claimed 180 watts of peak power from dual class D amplifiers, dual 3-inch midrange drivers, and dual .75-inch tweeters. The company also added a pair of 3-inch passive radiators, which help the speaker reach a claimed 55Hz in the bass, topping out at 20kHz in the treble. The driver sets are also divided between both sides of the speaker to offer what B&O calls “True360” sound.

B&O’s creations are notoriously pleasing to the eye as well as the ear, and the A2 is no exception, crafted from extruded aluminum, and adorned with a strap of premium leather for a premium look, and better portability. The speaker comes in your choice of black, green, and grey.

The A2 is big in one other category, as well: the price. At $400, it’s one of the most expensive speakers on the market. Still, while that may be a detraction for some, we’re hoping this new premium offering can help make portable sound a richer experience in more ways than just dollar signs. The A2 is expected to be available soon, and you can sign up at B&O’s website to be notified when it’s ready to ship.

Ryan Waniata
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Waniata is an audio engineer, musician, composer, and all-around lover of all things tech, audio, and cinema. Hailing…
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