ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Nice review by John:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0MvRlr-Lng
Available om B&O page:
https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/speakers/beosound-a1
But why Alexa rather than Google....
Livingroom: BL3, BL11, BV11-46 Kitchen: Beosound 1 GVA, Beocom 2 Bathroom: M3 Homeoffice: M3, Beocom 2 Library: Beosound Emerge, Beocom 6000 Bedroom: M5, Essence remote Travel: Beoplay E8 2.0, Beoplay EQ, Beoplay Earset
How does Alexa work, can it connect to the internet or?
Beovision Harmony 77" 2nd Gen, Beolab 5, Beolab 17, Beosound 1, Beoplay M3, Beoplay Portal, Beoplay Earset, Beoliving Intelligence
Emil Jensen: How does Alexa work, can it connect to the internet or?
The feature require a connection to your phone. Alexa is available 3 hours after you shut the A1 off, so there is some standby function. But the phone needs still to be available.
Hiort: Nice review by John: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0MvRlr-Lng Available om B&O page: https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/speakers/beosound-a1 But why Alexa rather than Google....
I don't understand B&O sometimes... Why have they dropped out Google for Alexa on this product??? They seems to jump around in search for a solution, and can't decide the path forward in time...
But it is clearly not the same function,
The beosounds with Google assist is by them self on wifi,
This is apparently not, so maybe google cannot be used this way???
Emil Jensen: This is apparently not, so maybe google cannot be used this way???
That is a possible explanation.
I guess the difference is that you can use Google Assistant and Siri too, but you have to press the microphone button instead of just talking to the speaker itself.
Alexa is coming to the Balance as well. B&O aim to become “agnostic” but the ways to implement these voice assistants are more dependent on Amazon and Google than on B&O I think.
And in a way you can think of the reason why only Alexa can be used this way in a Bluetooth speaker: if you use GVA or Siri, your phone is already listening to you. So you don’t need a third party speaker to act as a microphone.
"B&O says this is the first Bluetooth-only speaker with Alexa “fully integrated.”
I like it a lot. The design changes are minor but somehow it looks more modern with a fresh look. I think it will continue the success story of the A1. What I don’t like is the status LED in the grille though. When it’s off you always see that one dark spot where the LED sits.
Exist to create
One key question would be if moving to BT 5.1 improves the reliability of the stereo pair connection. I’ve tried that on first gen A1s, but dropouts have discouraged me from using it more often - which is a shame because they really do sound great in stereo. I have successfully used a wired solution with a L/R splitter and separate 3.5mm cable runs to each speaker, but that really defeats the benefit of being able to wirelessly stereo pair.
Jeff
Beolab 28s Beolab 9s Beolab 12-3s Beolab 1s Beolab 6000s 2 pairs Beolab 4000s Beovision 7-55 Beovision 10-40 Beoplay V1 32 inch Beovision Avant 32 inch Beosound 1 (CD player) Beosound 3000 Beosound 5 Core Essence MKII Beoplay M5
Can the new A1 be used without Alexa (it can) But I mean without any kind of account / subscription to Amazon to get it installed/working.
I contacted my dealer today actually to get an A1 'OG' but they were sold out. I can think of still buying the new A1 then but any pre-registration like with the GVA Beasounds is a no go for me.
Ferdinand:Can the new A1 be used without Alexa (it can) But I mean without any kind of account / subscription to Amazon to get it installed/working. I contacted my dealer today actually to get an A1 'OG' but they were sold out. I can think of still buying the new A1 then but any pre-registration like with the GVA Beasounds is a no go for me.
New: Beovision Harmony, Beolab 50's, Beolab 28's, Beolab 18's, Beolab 17's, Beosound Stage & LG, Beosound 2, Beoplay M3, Beoplay A1, Beoplay Portal, Beoplay H4 gen 2, Beoplay E8 3.0
Mikipedia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Mikipedia
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Old: Beosound 9000 mk3, Beolab 3's, Beovision Eclipse, Beolab 1's, Beolab 2, Beovision 10-46, Overture 2300, beolab 8000's, Beolab 4000's, Beovision avant 32" etc. etc.
I was lucky to order an A1 from my dealer in Natural Brushed last minute. It has to be the first Contrast Collection product to be discontinued then.
I really like the A1, for me it's the best portable speaker inherited from Beoplay.
Only 2 colors: black & aluminum : ok, we see that the path for A LOT of limited color collections is open! Strange that they didn't release the classic green at start.
3 mics : if they are not only for Alexa, it could be the ultimate multipurpose home/office/garden/party conference speaker (ok, there is absolutely no other product in this category)!
Nice that they managed to make it thinner and still improve the sound.
Better battery performance and full water resistance are also nice bonus.
One thing that is not cool in this range of products : battery is not replaceable : I do not buy B&O as disposable products.
Ah, and the LED at the top fixes the main issue for me : I was always looking at the full circle to find the status LED!
diisign.com
I just finished and uploaded my review on the Gen 2 A1 for anyone interested
https://youtu.be/FOQ8mXK8XEI
Michael
Daniel: I was lucky to order an A1 from my dealer in Natural Brushed last minute. It has to be the first Contrast Collection product to be discontinued then.
I also bought one, discounted - £159. Can't complain about the price. I also feel it's an upgrade from my early A1 which I bought when first launched. Feels like a far deeper and stronger sound.
Also, I use my A1 more than any other B&O product. I take in the terrace and all over.
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
I had the same opinion you did, Leo. I just got the charcoal sand one (v.1) literally two days ago and I love the warmth of the sound. I also particularly like that color. They made me a very good deal on it and I just think it will have a good rich sound for a long time.
Try this;
https://youtu.be/1dsUQG0KPOs
New battery;
https://www.walmart.com/ip/2200MaH-C129D3-Battery-Replacement-for-Bang-Olufsen-Beoplay-A1-Speaker/531227903
Thanks Irvine, the A1 is now even better than I thought
We'll just have to figure out if the waterproofing of the gen2 didn't make the battery replacement too complicated...
As for waterproof
https://youtu.be/N66cBpaMhzA
Also it might be time for some new Beobrew IPA from Mikkeller.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
I have now ordered my A1 2nd gen at my dealer. Will get it Tuesday / Wednesday
leosgonewild:I went to buy one today, but I found the sound to be metallic and cold.
Where did you hear the 2nd generation? Sure it was the new one? I'd be amazed if it's worst than by new (1st gen) Brushed Steel A1? Sounds amazing for the size!
Mikipidia:I find it hard to believe that is was mettalic or cold unless...
I do think some people's expectations are too high. When you're used to listening to BL20s, 50s or 90s and you listen to an A1 it's a huge compromise. But you have to take into account a) the size and b) the portability.
I must admit though, the Megaboom is a far better portable speaker and completely waterproof: https://www.ultimateears.com/en-us/wireless-speakers/megaboom-3.html
The new Bang & Olufsen tag on the leather band looks very very good and it's very nice that the buttons seem to be better (more tactile) and it is completely water proof now!I have to listen to the new A1 as I prefer the clearer, more natural sound instead of too much bass. But I'll wait for new colors... ;-)
Razlaw:I notice it also has Apple, Google, and Microsoft fast pair. I have not heard those terms before. Are they something new, or just new terminology? I also see that the B and O app has been updated to add the ability to sign in with one’s Apple account when setting up products.