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BeoPlay A2 just released

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Chris Townsend
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I expect it to last as long as advertised, or thereabouts.

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Millemissen
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Chris Townsend:
Having returned mine, I was interested in knowing more about this new Bluetooth technology which seems to herald in a time of a stable connection!

Here is the company, but I cannot find the section which displays compatible devices.

http://www.csr.com/products/60/aptx

I opened up a page on another browser and it appears the iPhone isn't on the list therefore you will be streaming balk standard Bluetooth (grim) I'll see if I can find it again on safari.

I wrote about this in my posts on one/some of the first pages in this thread.

AptX is a technology that claims to have 'Audio bandwidth matching CD performance'.

However, aptX works with a compression ratio of 4:1, which is far from CD quality (imo).

And iDevices don't even use aptX - they use the common A2DP audio protocol, that is part of the bluetooth standart.


But streaming via bluetooth is the only way to use streaming on the go, where no wifi is available.

And - to date -  it also is the only possible way to stream audio from an Android device, if you can't use DLNA.

The A2 is mainly a device for music listening 'on the go' - and a possibility for B&O to adress Android users too.

I guess most users will stream 'compressed music' anyway - so it (bluetooth) might be sufficient for the purpose.


See also: http://www.cnet.com/news/can-aptx-give-you-better-sound-over-bluetooth/

 

MM

 

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Chris Townsend
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As it's just a Bluetooth receiver, I wonder if it could be retrofitted to our Beolit 12 or A9!

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Michael
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Michael replied on Tue, Nov 18 2014 5:17 PM

So Im probably returning the A2. The battery is really good and the bluetooth connection works very well.(Good things).

The biggest issue:
Sound quality. It really starts to sound strange when you turn the volume up. It can be used as a radio or background source but won't be good for parties or playing music loud at home (which I want to do sometimes). BeoLit 12 for example does these things very nicely and it is portable enough for me. The A2 is thinner, has a better battery but I actually think the BeoLit 12 is more portable in a way since it can stand more and play better. It also charges your phone twice as fast. (I often use my BeoLit 12 as a charger at home for my phone - and that way I can also use it to play music in better quality).

Im now considering:
• Keeping the A2 as a small stereo (would mean I would have to have another "portable" stereo too, so not a perfect solution).
• Replace with a BeoLit 12 (or wait for a BeoLit 15, probably same sound but better battery thanks to bluetooth instead).
• Replace with a BeoSound A8 (even better sound, more compatible but more fixed.)
• Replace with a A9 (much more expensive, and a bit to big, not the best idea but it´s a cool product Big Smile)

Things I dislike about A2:
• The thin and big design makes it unstable on non flat/solid surfaces.
• It stays connected to both my Mac and my iPhone but doesn't change source if I try to interrupt from my Mac.
• The charger-cable is really ugly and cheap. (With a BeoLit 12 the charger is built into the product so no special cable needed!)
• Can't be controlled with Beo4. A feature I really miss!

Summary:
• I really did want to like the A2 and I had high expectations that it would sound as good as the BeoLit 12 (this is what I was told) but it does not.
• It has its "360 degree sound" but this only messes with stereo for a single listener so it´s not a plus for me.  
• The leather strap could be better. For example, if it was easy to release (without a screwdriver etc) then you could hang it on several items around your house easily. Now you can´t.
• The feet that it stands on are a bad design. Why didn't they just do rubber along the entire A2? That way it could have been positioned in every possible direction. Tilted against a wall etc. Standing up etc.

 

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BeoBoy68
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BeoBoy68 replied on Tue, Nov 18 2014 6:16 PM
Agree with you Michael.

From the beginning, I wrote that the A2 is expensive and disappointed.

I prefer the BeoLit 12.

Even my BeoDealer don't have the A2 yet.
Chris Townsend
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The Beolit 12 is much bigger, as in 4 times bigger so i personally never expected it to sound comparable. Its a different animal in every way.

I was in York today milling around and went into a shop that does Linn and B&W. They have the B&W T7 which is the very nearest competitor to the A2. Its no looker thats for sure but i have to say, and as a B&O fanboy, it blew the A2 away, And not by just a little bit either. Much more bass and a clearer tone. Its battery is billed at 40 hours light listening, and they have managed 26 hours of moderate rock before it died. 

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BeoGreg
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BeoGreg replied on Wed, Nov 19 2014 10:42 AM
Beolit 15 at the price of actual Beolit 12 will be the winner for portable device (it can even carry your phone on it !).
Millemissen
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A perfect picnic basket Big Smile

MM

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mbee
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mbee replied on Thu, Dec 18 2014 10:22 PM

Strange discovery during my review of the BeoPlay A2...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cv4rw_dancing-beoplay-a2_lifestyle

Chris Townsend
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Here's one which reflected my experience...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jzcc5MVBesU

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crossbytje
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mbee:

Strange discovery during my review of the BeoPlay A2...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cv4rw_dancing-beoplay-a2_lifestyle

Maybe this is what they meant with a true 360° sound...

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Dave Farr
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Dave Farr replied on Fri, Dec 19 2014 9:08 AM

mbee:

Strange discovery during my review of the BeoPlay A2...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cv4rw_dancing-beoplay-a2_lifestyle

Unsure as to why this is 'strange'?  If you use it on its end (with no rubber feet) of course the vibrations from the sound production will make it move on a flat, smooth surface.  Exactly why I have suggested to B&O to include a rubber foot mechanism to attach at that end on future upgrades.

Why do so many people want to play this at full volume?  It's loud.  If you want something that loud, buy a system that's suited for it - Beolit 12 for example.  If it doesn't play loud enough for you in the first place, don't buy it.  As for battery life, if you play something at full volume, of course the battery lasts less time.  Just like my car - if I drive fast, I use more fuel than if I dry slower.  It's not rocket science.  Like car manufacturers who give fuel consumption figures based on ideal driving conditions in a controlled and unrealistic environment, B&O have only done similar with figures for battery life.  

Not many devices are designed to be used at full capacity - I dread to think what I'd do to some of my systems if I cranked the volume up to full - burnt amps, blown speakers etc.  Common sense has to prevail.

Everyone I've shown my A2 to has been really impressed.  Before anyone buys one, I'd urge them to try it out for themselves with the device they aim to use most with it.

Dave.

koning
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koning replied on Thu, Jan 29 2015 7:29 PM

Has there been Software updates allready?

Ramasjang
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Ramasjang replied on Thu, Jan 29 2015 7:50 PM

Where did you read that?

koning
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koning replied on Thu, Jan 29 2015 7:57 PM

Nowhere.

I was wondering.

 

Millemissen
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I just read, that up till now 50.000 BeoPlay A2 already have been sold.

The fastest selling product in the history of B&O.

Isn't that great?

MM

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pf85
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pf85 replied on Tue, Feb 3 2015 11:41 AM

Will get my black one tonight. Good for travelling!

Dave Farr
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Dave Farr replied on Tue, Feb 3 2015 11:49 AM

Millemissen:

I just read, that up till now 50.000 BeoPlay A2 already have been sold.

The fastest selling product in the history of B&O.

Isn't that great?

MM

Great indeed.  Better still if they make a decent profit on each one!

I'm still thrilled with mine I must say.  It sounds spot-on in my bathroom when I'm having a soak.

Dave.

Chris Townsend
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More bad news to top the H8 and Moment release.

Company going bust blah blah blah

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Amazone
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Amazone replied on Tue, Feb 3 2015 3:51 PM

Millemissen:

I just read, that up till now 50.000 BeoPlay A2 already have been sold.

The fastest selling product in the history of B&O.

Isn't that great?

MM

That is definitely very good news! I hope they make a profit on it. It proves it is still possible to sell products when both the price and the product are good.

BeoVision 11-55, BeoLab 8000, BeoRemote One BT, AppleTV 4, 2x BeoPlay A2, BeoPlay A1

James
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James replied on Wed, Feb 11 2015 7:05 AM

I have just noticed on the B&O Play website that the very same problem that my A2 suffered when it was dropped is captured in the promotional image with the guy with the beard.  On the left, under the leather strap, you can see that the case is coming apart Crying

Mine just snapped back together but not great that it appears on their website!  If they have any Quality Control jobs going, drop me a line.....Yes - thumbs up

James
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James replied on Wed, Feb 11 2015 7:05 AM

I have just noticed on the B&O Play website that the very same problem that my A2 suffered when it was dropped is captured in the promotional image with the guy with the beard.  On the left, under the leather strap, you can see that the case is coming apart Crying

Mine just snapped back together but not great that it appears on their website!  If they have any Quality Control jobs going, drop me a line.....Yes - thumbs up

paolomariano
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shoutj74:

I have just noticed on the B&O Play website that the very same problem that my A2 suffered when it was dropped is captured in the promotional image with the guy with the beard. On the left, under the leather strap, you can see that the case is coming apart

Mine just snapped back together but not great that it appears on their website! If they have any Quality Control jobs going, drop me a line.....

Do you mean this one?

James
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James replied on Wed, Feb 11 2015 1:14 PM

Yup, that's how it comes apart 

 

paolomariano
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shoutj74:

Yup, that's how it comes apart

Let me understand... Does it come apart and then you simply need to push it till it clicks in its seat again or doesn't the plastic fit any more because its shape changed?
Chris Townsend
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Yes it does. The two feet at the bottom define top and bottom. Be aggressive when closing to make sure it's secure.

Tue, make aluminium covers. All reviews state that they expected them on a B&O product, and felt disappointed they weren't available. They could make them out if all those B&O speaker grill from Audis on eBayWhistle

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leosgonewild
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I think it is a good thing that it is made of plastic. If it was aluminium it would weigh more, but the biggest problem would be dents.

Have a look at beolab 7.1/2/4/6. they useually all have some kind of dents in them.

Aluminum full of small holes will bend or dent easily. Of course it would look better, but only until it is dropped once.

 

And the joke of the day about aluminium:

 

"The Irish are trying to be American, that's all it is. Everything American does Ireland has to do as well. Next thing you know, the Irish are going to start saying 'aluminum', and that'll be the last straw as far as I'm concerned. If that happens, I'm not going back! Everyone's got their own reasons to dislike Americans, 'aluminum' is top of my fucking list, ladies and gentleman. Aluminum cans, aluminum – what the ***'s aluminum foil? Honestly! Everyone knows it's pronounced 'tin'!"

 

-Ed Byrne

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

Chris Townsend
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Titanium then. Either way it should ooze over the top B&Oness

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leosgonewild
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Titanium is a cheap material Wink

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

Aussie Michael
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I like the plastic, I want to be able to chuck it around and not be so precious with it.

A "tin" option would be good for those who want it too :-)

Michael
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Michael replied on Sat, Feb 14 2015 7:20 PM

I think it would be cool if it was instead made of a steel frame with leather front and back. Would look awesome and just more awesome with time. 

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Aussie Michael
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That's a good idea Michael :-) 

leosgonewild
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And make it really useful in humid conditions Big Smile

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

shinobi52
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shinobi52 replied on Sat, Jun 20 2015 1:23 PM

For the opening of FNAC in Qatar, they make a great Beoplay action :

 

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