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
BeoBoy68:@ Chris Townsend Nice test You should work for Beo.
BeoNut since '75
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
@ BeoGreg
Why to wait for the BeoLit 15. If don't need outside, use the wifi Airplay. It will sound better.
I have *****.
***edited by Mika - please stop trying to include items for sale in your posts. As I suppose you very well know, sales & wanted ads belong to their respective subforums, available for silver & gold members. Thank you.
Chris Townsend:In a vast shop, I can see why you might draw that conclusion. If I put my A2 on an empty table it does sound a little flat, put it on the windowsill a metre away and the bass if reflexed(Ask Geoff) and it comes alive with week proportioned bass My Bose Soundlink as good as it is, always relies on boomy bass to make up for the fact that it's a compromise of parts and size. Retailers please take note, place near a wall and play at more than 50% if using an IPad. The leather handle can help make this much easier(I used a wok!) Mines still going strong, and has been on constantly since 07.46 GMT Beovision 7-55 Mk2, Beovision 8-32, Avant RF 28, Beolab 8000, Beoplay A9, Beoplay 2, Beocom 2, Beotime, H6, Form 2.
4 beolab 5, beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2, 2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...
Well I've just done a side by side test on my dining table and I have to grudgingly admit, the Bose sounded better regardless of bass[:\'(] at lower levels of volume. The A2 has to be worked much harder to appreciate it, hence why i recommended the volume be set at least 50% for demos. For talk radio the A2 is better because of its relative flatness.
The A2 sounds like somebody has turned up the flatness, whilst turning down the bass a bit. And for the second day running, the battery has only lasted half of the published life. About 12 1/2 hours today. This seriously worries me most, because when i go away i want something that will last long enough to not need a recharge.
Chris Townsend:I take it all back. I've just done test on my dining table and I have to grudgingly admit, the Bose sounded better regardless of bass[:\'(] The A2 sounds like somebody has turned up the flatness, whilst turning down the bass a bit. And for the second day running, the battery has only lasted half of the published life. About 12 1/2 hours today. The moral of the story is to spend more time in store, and make up your mind without your fanboy glasses begging you to get the latest thing. Beovision 7-55 Mk2, Beovision 8-32, Avant RF 28, Beolab 8000, Beoplay A9, Beoplay 2, Beocom 2, Beotime, H6, Form 2.
I got a black A2 for my pied a terre today. It sounds quite good I think. Not as powerful as BeoLit 12 but for its size and weight it's quite nice.
Also noticed that the white light actually is three lights, R&G&B. Try holding your hand about 20 cm over it. Or let it shine on a wall.I also tried to use a Beo4 with it, but it won't react at all. Not surprised, but BeoLit 12 works good with the Beo4. It usually comes in handy for me at home.
Beolab 50, Beolab 8000 x 2, Beolab 4000 x 2, BeoSound Core, BeoSound 9000, BeoSound Century, BeoLit 15, BeoPlay A1, BeoPlay P2, BeoPlay H9 3rd Gen, BeoPlay H6, EarSet 3i, BeoVision Eclipse Gen 2 55", BeoPlay V1-40, BeoCom 6000 and so much else :)
I will, i edited my original post because i couldn't really do a side by side comparison at different i.e. louder volumes. I'll see, but the battery for 2 days in a row has not come close to its published endurance, not even close.
I got the A2 now for a couple of days and I can only say I like it a lot. It looks good, feels good, handles well and it works without any issues. It also sounds very good, I prefer it above my previous Bose SoundDock and Sonos Play:3. It really fills the room with music, very good. I would advise it to anyone.
Joost
BeoVision 11-55, BeoLab 8000, BeoRemote One BT, AppleTV 4, 2x BeoPlay A2, BeoPlay A1
Michael:One thing that makes me want to return it is the horribly awful charger they include. Super ugly cable and bulky charger. Can't understand what they thought :).
So irrespective of how the actual A2 performs or looks, you'd return it because you don't like the look of the charger! I've heard it all now: I'm speechless.
Some people say another player is too 'boomy' but the A2 lacks bass (not what I or others have found). We all have different tastes in sound from our devices and I want to hear the totality of the music, not just bass booming out. If others want booming bass over clear music, then buy something else after you've tested it in a proper environment. Chris made some valid points that dealers should take note of too.
It is a very good Bluetooth music player - not a 'boombox'.
Dave.
Dave Farr:So irrespective of how the actual A2 performs or looks, you'd return it because you don't like the look of the charger! I've heard it all now: I'm speechless. Some people say another player is too 'boomy' but the A2 lacks bass (not what I or others have found). We all have different tastes in sound from our devices and I want to hear the totality of the music, not just bass booming out. If others want booming bass over clear music, then buy something else after you've tested it in a proper environment. Chris made some valid points that dealers should take note of too. It is a very good Bluetooth music player - not a 'boombox'. Dave.
Michael:Dave, I'm not surprised by your comment but yes I might return it (and not only because of that). The cable is downright superugly. Could you imagine apple bundling a charger like that? I want to use it stationary most times so I want it connected to a power outlet and the cable destroys the beautiful impression it otherwise makes. It is an important part of the design. Don't you agree?
I want to use it stationary most times so I want it connected to a power outlet and the cable destroys the beautiful impression it otherwise makes. It is an important part of the design. Don't you agree?
Actually, the charger for the iPad Air is ugly as hell too and you only get the plug for the country you buy it in - at least B&O try to accommodate several countries without you having to buy additional convertors.
You want to use the A2 as a stationary speaker when it was primarily designed as a mobile device. As a mobile device, you'd charge it at home when not in use and take it with you (without the charger) so the appearence of the charger and cable shouldn't need to be so important. If you want it stationaryn then yesn you'd have to compromise the appearence by having it connected all of the time - but, you should be able to hide the cable and charger to some degree if it offends you that much.
I'm sure that if B&O upgraded the looks of the charger and cable, it would of course impact on the cost. You coud just cover it with a smart piece of cable tidy. I'm sure a more aesthetically pleasing 15 volt 2.8 amp charger unit can be obtained and used. I just think it's the wrong thing to have a hang-up on. If you were unhappy with the streaming or sound quality, the materials used etc, I'd accept those as reasons for return but not the method of charging it.
Chargers are a necessary part of all devices like this. Not many are designed to be pretty as they are designed to be functional. Granted, a soft, flexible single cable (like the H6 cable) would look a lot nicer but they would have to be specially manufactured and not off-the-shelf units.
Dave Farr:Actually, the charger for the iPad Air is ugly as hell too and you only get the plug for the country you buy it in - at least B&O try to accommodate several countries without you having to buy additional convertors. You want to use the A2 as a stationary speaker when it was primarily designed as a mobile device. As a mobile device, you'd charge it at home when not in use and take it with you (without the charger) so the appearence of the charger and cable shouldn't need to be so important. If you want it stationaryn then yesn you'd have to compromise the appearence by having it connected all of the time - but, you should be able to hide the cable and charger to some degree if it offends you that much. I'm sure that if B&O upgraded the looks of the charger and cable, it would of course impact on the cost. You coud just cover it with a smart piece of cable tidy. I'm sure a more aesthetically pleasing 15 volt 2.8 amp charger unit can be obtained and used. I just think it's the wrong thing to have a hang-up on. If you were unhappy with the streaming or sound quality, the materials used etc, I'd accept those as reasons for return but not the method of charging it. Chargers are a necessary part of all devices like this. Not many are designed to be pretty as they are designed to be functional. Granted, a soft, flexible single cable (like the H6 cable) would look a lot nicer but they would have to be specially manufactured and not off-the-shelf units. Dave.
Hi Michael,
I meant the charger off the shelf - obviously not B&O. It is anything but off the shelf.
The charger/cable is similar and in many cases smaller and less ugly than as used for multiple B&O products such as the Beocom chargers (which also have huge transformers), Beosound 3 mobile SD card reader/tuner etc.
This is obviously a really serious issue for you. As such, I'd just take it back and wait for a possible upgrade (and probable increase in price to accommodate them). I've been in touch with B&O customer services and had a good and positive response from Mr Frederik Jungersen regarding the suggestions from people here on Beoworld - including a carry cover with pouch for a mobile device source, clip-on feet for standing it in portrait mode and of course this issuse of the charger and cable. Hopefully, future upgrades of the product may meet with your full approval.
My Beocom 6000s has a nice rounded cable that looks good (as ALL my other B&O products). The A2 has a cheap hard "two split" cable and bigger transformer. It just looks bad, don't you agree?It feels like you are mocking me ("really serious issue for you"). Etc.Its not a serious issue, I am just disappointed that they did not put any thought into the design. At least they could have made a nice cable.
BeoBoy68:@ BeoGreg Why to wait for the BeoLit 15. If don't need outside, use the wifi Airplay.
BeoBoy68:?? I write some infos. I have seen many Beoworlder who wrote some sale in their post.
Well, I'm sure some of yours have slipped through the moderation as well.
BeoBoy68:It is not fair to delete my post.
On the contrary - it would not be fair to paying members to allow sales ads all over the forum. If you want to offer your stuff to other members, send them a PM/email (if you know they would be interested), or upgrade and post the ads where they are supposed to be posted.
--mika
Dave Farr:If others want booming bass over clear music.
I'm not trying to mock you at all. You've now just said that it's not a serious issue and that you're just disappointed about the cable. earlier you said it was one of the reasons for taking it back! Your earlier post seemed to indicate it was a serious issue for you. If it's not, I'm happy as it would be a shame for you to not enjoy this product.
You're correct about the BC6000 cables - I apologise. I had so many cables running in conjunction with each other I mistook one. The BS3 is 2 core though, I've just checked!
Yes, I do fully agree with you in that the charger is big and not attractive and neither is the cable. We fully agree on that and it would be fantastic if B&O take note of feedback like I have given them. My only concern was that you appeared to be saying originally that these were deal breakers for you and you were thinking of returning it over the issue. To my mind, that would be a shame.
Please don't feel mocked. That is the last thing I'd wish to do to a fellow B&O fan. The good thing about this forum is that we can exchange views on things like this. We won't always agree with each others points of view but we can respect them just the same - as I do yours.
Apart from the charger/cable issue, what do you think of the A2 itself?
I think you've got it spot-on. It's a cute speaker and placement does have a huge impact on how it sounds. I haven't got a Beolit 12 so cannot make a comparison. In what way do they differ where you use them? I was going to buy a Beolit 12 but our wifi at home is terrible so I think I'd be upset by drop-outs, no signal etc. This was the advantage of the A2 for me. No drop-outs in the house and works over 70 metres away outside. I could imagine the Beolit 12 being a more fuller sound and more powerful maybe? For my use, the A2 fits the biill perfectly.
I think the more people that leave feedback the better. They do respond. Whether they take on-board what the customer tells them, only time will tell.
The bad news today is that the battery only just lasted over 8 hours. The good news my A9 has burst back into life!
The A2 needs to be played quite hard to get the best of it, and as said previously positioning is the key. Ignore all that crap i wrote last night about the Bose sounding better, must have been the Rioja.
Unfortunately the battery for me was very important.
just played two hours on my gray A2, quite impressive with some genres of music... try Massive Attack with Paradise Circus or Jennifer Warnes with The Hunter (at 32sec in to the tune), Chills. And then of course since it's supposed to be used in the kitchen; Mumford & Sons.
Regarding the color, I love the "gold" aluminum! As for the gray, I have mixed feelings. It's off-gray as in off white, a kind of dull color. I expected more towards silver, but it's growing on me and I think it might actually be good in the long run, won't get bored of it as easy as plain silver.
mine is note lacking in bass maybe a bit uninspiring sound at low volumes, I guess you need larger drivers to move a lot of air at low volume.
also I think the placement is of importance, and then not only the wall behind it but also the resonance of the surface its placed on makes a difference.
I will not judge it quit yet, but I'm very happy with what I've bought
The picture... spot the four other B&O items
Just to be clear. I never wanted to do a Bose / B & O comparison, it's just that I already own a Bose bluetooth speaker because B & O had none at the time and I needed one.
It's very handy in a house, like the A2 will be very handy in any house.
The dilemna (for me) was : is the A2 worth another 350 € in a bluetooth speaker. I've got my answer it's NO. The soundlink mini does the job (for me).
That example may apply for many of us.
If I didn't had the Bose, I would be the proud owner of a black A2 without knowing what's out there. And I know I will be that proud owner anyway (christmas is soon) I won't resist long.
But soudwise, I'm not impressed at all, like I'm impressed by Beolab 17 for example (those speakers are incredible for price/size). I thought the A2 would rock, outperform the Bose, maybe it does but only on a thin margin.
I went to the store whith my Iphone 6 and my Spotify music on it.
I listen to a lot of live music. Fisrt test Nada Surf The Myspace Transmissions live : crap low, medium, high volume (the higher the worst). Second test R.E.M. Live in Dublin : crap low, medium, high volume (the higher the worst). Third test Band Of Horses Live acoustic : crap low, medium, high volume (the higher the worst). Even the dealer said stop with live music try studio recordings (but I like live !). Fourth test : Pixies Indie Cindy studio : totally average/flat sound, no bass, the higher the volume the worst the sound (distortions). Fifth test : Pixies Velouria studio : good sound, gentle to the ears after all the crap, the higher the volume to a certain level the best the sound was.
Tested the A2 vertically and horizontally, horizontally seems better in the middle of a table.
That's it five tests, only one ok, so it really depends on the music you listen to.
I noticed the A2 doesn't react like the Bose when you touch the volume on your phone. The Bose is independant, I set Iphone to max volume and then touch the speaker for up/down. The A2 works with the phone, when you switch up/down the volume on the phone it also goes up/down on the speaker and vice versa, no separate settings.
Yes I love B & O but I'm not blind (and deaf not yet !).
I am considering returning the A2 as it is not very powerful compared to the BeoLit 12 which really has a wow-factor. I do like the weight tough, and I haven't had to recharge it a single time yet (never even charged it) so it has some ups still. I might keep it but we will see. In the end, what matters is the sound and the impression it leaves.
Got my green one yesterday and I am quite impressed. Of course you can always pay more money and get more/better sound, but I have many different portables and small iPlayer type units and the only system I have of it's type would be my Zeppelin Air, which is quite a high commendation. It's certainly better than my Jambox and Tivoli. I found selecting the Bass Boost Equaliser on the apple device helps also.
BeoLignage:The picture... spot the four other B&O items
I could only get three other items ... and three Apple
I don't understand people sending an A2 back, or even thinking about sending it back. Where does it perform that much under what you expect that you even consider returning it? Charger not beautiful enough? I cannot believe that's true.
regards Joost
When it's advertised battery endurance is advertised to last approx 24 hours, but then lasts a third of that in the real world even at very modest levels.
I needed a device that would last a few days away in a camper van, not run out on the first day.