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
Well, as promised – here we go. I could neither deny nor confirm, but yes – images of it next to a kettle were posted on this site a few days ago which are indeed the BeoSound 1.
Add that leak to dealers apparently freely waving them around for people to see and we continue to find that Bang & Olufsen’s marketing department really need to think harder and work smarter if they don’t want to ruin their own product release… Anyway, it’s done now.
I’ve had one for a few days and said nothing about it publicly so I won’t be marched into ‘The Farm’ and have the famous piano lid slammed on my fingers as punishment. I am now free to sing like a canary about it and post images galore!
So, the package arrived at ‘BeoWorld HQ’ from Struer via UPS. I have to confess it didn’t quite occur that it contained the BeoSound 1 as the box was so small. For some reason I was expecting something the size of the Subwoofer part of the BeoLab 14, so to get something so petite was quite a shock!
Anyway, out of the box it came after some frantic parcel tape cutting and behold!
It stands exactly 32.7cm high, and the widest part (the base, as it’s conical) is just under 16.2cm. It’s quite a chunky little lump too, weighing in at 3.5kg – which feels quite heavy once you’ve gritted your teeth and decided to pick it up by the throat (you kind of feel like the right thing to do is pick it up from above, then wrap your fingers around the top section, hoping you won’t pull the top off).
If you do flip it upside down for a look there’s an Ethernet port, which is only there for software updates – and a figure-8 mains connection. I also noted three female screw holes, so there’s wall bracket coming for sure if it’s not already been announced. I also think a floor stand of sorts could work visually, but possibly not practically.
If you look closely through the gap at the bottom you can see a bass driver, firing downwards. To my untrained eyes it looks like a single driver from a BeoLab 18. I'm probably wrong, but it doesn't look far off the size physically....
I’ll post the press release of everything it can do, how powerful it is or isn’t, which formats and so on later. This is a laymans review, of sorts – in as plain a language as I can muster. I’ll also try and avoid the old hi-fi review clichés if I can!
Back to my immediate thoughts though. When I pulled off the inner cover my initial reaction was “got to be careful with this.. it’s aluminium”. It screams expensive, and certainly looks and feels premium/luxury – but if this is going to be portable and/or live in busy kitchens and so forth it’s going to look like crap pretty quickly when it takes knocks, dings and scratches. However, hopefully the owner will be a little more precious about it after paying almost a thousand pounds for it…
It unnerves me though.. Aluminium is soft – and a portable speaker is the last thing I’d want to completely shroud in immaculately machine turned Aluminium. Still, it’s a B&O ‘trademark’ so let’s rejoice in its brushed alu-ness…. And be v-e-e-r-r-r-r-y careful.
Here's a close-up of the etched logo at the bottom, which gives you an idea of the surface brushing too...
As you would expect, after a quick nose around, the first thing I did was check to see if the battery had some juice in it. It did indeed, so naturally I whipped out my iPhone, instinctively jabbed at the top of the unit and held down my finger, waited for the familiar ‘bur-dink’ and hey presto it appeared on my iPhone Bluetooth list.
It was paired literally in seconds. I like that. Simplicity.
A little play with the rotating top section, which adjusts volume. It's a TINY bit laggy if you twizzle it super-fast - but not annoyingly so. We're talking fractions of a second.
So, there it was, the all-new BeoSound 1 – in the middle of a 5,000 square foot warehouse, sitting on a scruffy yet faithful old trolley which we use for testing and cleaning smaller B&O products, looking all pretty and shiny. Time to shine in the audio department then.
Well, I immediately cranked it right up… and wished I hadn’t.
It sounded awful.
Shrill and messy. Lost in a cacophony of midrange. For those who have ever heard the BeoLab 1’s turned right up, where the super strong midrange and super-sharp top end totally leave the bass behind and they get all ‘shouty’ – this is it. This is not a unit to be played L-O-U-D.
I turned it down, pretty quickly. This clearly isn’t meant to impress your friends at a house party, nor is it made for a circle of drunken ladies to dance around waving glasses of wine in the air. I assume this is the BeoSound 2’s remit. It’s definitely not the BeoSound 1’s.
After turning it down to what I’d call a reasonable listening level (loud talking?) it sounded way, way better. Much more balance – and the acoustic lens really does sound lovely. Crystal clear, crisp and sharp – very much like a BeoLab 3 but not quite as strong. Still, impressive all the same.
In the warehouse it still sounded a bit ‘lost’ though. I don’t feel I’m being too harsh on it though as I’ve had the Play products of similar size sound better in the exact same space…
Power down then. It failed the warehouse test. Not failed miserably though… Let’s take it home. In you go little fella, buckle up!
I parked it on the corner of my large Oak dining table in the corner of the kitchen and at various intervals theatrically waved my arm, presenting it to anyone who walked in, like a magician who had just pulled three doves, a rabbit and a Ford Escort from a small top hat…… and waited for the responses.
“Dad, why have you bought a big flask – are you going camping or something?” asked my 16 year old Son, straight faced and completely serious. That went well.
Exit my Son, then a few minutes later entered my 17 year old Daughter. “What’s THAT?” she said… After a quick demo she admitted “actually it’s pretty cool” then added “but don’t you think it looks like one of those Thermos Flask things?” and walked out.
Then, the big one… (well, not literally – she runs 20-30 miles a week, sadly not all in the same direction) my dear wife walked in 10 minutes later. I pointed at it, smiled. I started to play a dance track she knew and liked, and smiled again – and pointed at it again, and smiled, and gestured my theatrical arm towards it….
“HA!! It’s a musical Flask!!! HA HA!!!”
Well, it would appear the BeoSound 1 will be an immediate hit with well heeled backpackers, ramblers and campers. Great…
In fairness though, each and every one of them agreed it sounded good. My Daughter has a BeoLit 15, my wife has an A2, and my son a BeoPlay A6 – so they all know what decent sound is.
With my family of partially sighted, design blind luddites out of the way I preceded to access my Deezer account and skip through a few tracks with it still sat on the kitchen table, with the volume at just a tiny bit above loud talking volume hoping for the best…. And… you know what? It sounded SOOO much better!!
At ‘normal’ listening levels (I’d say talking to loud talking) with the right track it sounded SUPERB!! Rich, deep, rolling bass perfectly matching the crisp acoustic lens. Properly balanced. It sounded like a completely different unit to the one I’d cranked up in the warehouse and it became immediately apparent the BeoSound 1 is made for slightly smaller rooms and slightly lower volumes to really shine.
Kitchen, perhaps?!
What I’m going to say may sound odd, but bear with me. If you get to own one this will make perfect sense..
-------
‘In a large space, the BeoSound 1 very much sounds it’s size. In a small space it sounds three or four times bigger than it really is…”
Quote me on that.
Well, how does it compare? This is the part where us loyal B&O owners and buyers can make sense of how it sounds, regardless of specs on a sheet of paper.
I’ve spent the last few days doing side-by-side comparisons, so here goes…
New BeoSound 1 vs ‘old’ BeoSound 1 (only as they share a name..)
New BeoSound 1 wins on the sheer strength of the acoustic lens. The old BeoSound 1 has a tiny touch more ‘oomph’ (not much though) but sounds like someone has put a pillow over the front of it when it comes to clarity.
Think BeoLab 4000 vs BeoLab 3 and you’ll be somewhere in the ball park. Winner? – the new BeoSound 1, fairly easily.
New BeoSound 1 vs BeoPlay A6
Again, the clarity of the BeoSound 1 shines through and makes the A6 sound muddy in comparison (just after I’d convinced myself the A6 was crystal clear, too!). However, the A6 sounds much richer and deeper.
The A6 is the one you take to a party, park in the corner and say “yeah, that’s mine..” as everyone says ‘WOW!!!’ to the sheer level of noise it throws out when cranked up. So, for volume it’s the A6 hands down for me. If it’s for clarity though – it’s the BeoSound 1, just at lower volumes.
Winner? It’s a draw. They both do what they do very well. It just depends on what you want from them.
New BeoSound 1 vs BeoLit 15
This was the test I really wanted to hear as they’re kind of both at the same ‘boxing weight’ and size.
I played many, many tracks – from Jazz to Heavy Metal, then played the same track (for the record ‘You Know You Like It’ by DJ Snake and AlunaGeorge : which has some real high notes and some properly dirty bass, which I like!) over and over until I could make my decision..
Winner…. BeoLit 15, by a whisker. The BeoLit 15 just had more ‘presence’ to my ears.. The BeoSound 1 was crisper, no doubt – and the bass from the BeoSound 1 was on a few occasions more precise - but the whole package of the BeoLit 15 did it for me. Also, taking into account it’s less than HALF the price of the new BeoSound 1 it means the BeoLit 15 holds the fort and wins this battle.
One thing I did love, which is a very 'B&O attention to detail' thing, was the tiny blue light hidden away in the acoustic lens aperture. Nice touch. Well done to whoever did that...
So, is the new BeoSound 1 a resounding triumph?
At almost £1,000 I'm not convinced. Sorry… I’m afraid the ‘Play’ products have spoilt me and this just looks too expensive. I can’t help thinking this is a pretty decent ‘Play’ product in a jolly expensive suit of glistening armour. Does that sound harsh?
If someone showed me the new BeoSound 1, I'd be impressed... right up to the point where they said 'and it's £995'.
In a world when everyone had plenty of spare money and the boom-times were rolling I think it would have done very well. Do people all have this amount of money to readily spend on a portable speaker, no matter how good it looks? We're about to find out!
As promised, here are the various press releases :
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Introducing BeoSound 1 & 2:
Wireless speaker systems designed for flexible living
BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2 are wireless speaker systems designed for convenience, crafted for mobility and featuring an impressive 360 degrees of spherical sound magic.
The only certainty in technology, perhaps also life, is that things change. We all live different lives, and the challenge we put to ourselves is to create products that are relevant in as many contexts as possible. The way that you live and work is more flexible and fluid than ever, and we adapt and cater to that.
BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2 are Bang & Olufsen’s answer to an ever-changing everyday life; they are both ultra-flexible in terms of usability, connectivity and placement options - and they deliver an unparalleled 360-degree sound experience no matter where the speakers are placed.
“We live in a time of cord cutting where everyone wants more freedom. No one wants to be hindered by technological restriction”, says Marie Kristine Schmidt, Vice President Brand, Design & Marketing and continues, “BeoSound 1 & 2 are designed to cater for a flexible lifestyle where music blends naturally into the home. The design is unobtrusive yet powerful, underscoring the purpose of the speakers”.
Feel the groove
The sturdy yet elegant aluminium design profile of BeoSound 1 and 2 blends into any interior with a subtle touch of delicacy and ease. Place them wherever you want your music; on the shelf, casually on the floor, by the coffee table or even outdoors. The conic bodies hover slightly above the ground, letting the thumps of the bass units out beneath. They are slightly open at the top for acoustical reasons, but apart from that with a uniform expression on the aluminium surface.
BeoSound 1 is a portable lightweight wireless speaker with a battery-driven option crafted for mobility. It has a small groove under the top to ensure abetter grip when it’s lifted up and moved around.
BeoSound 2 is its slightly bigger and more powerful sibling. It needs a permanent power connection to produce its vigorous output of excellent sound with great clarity and distinction
360 degrees of advanced acoustics
BeoSound 1 and 2 are equipped with the Acoustic Lens Technology renowned from classic Bang & Olufsen speakers such as BeoLab 5 and BeoLab 18. The acoustic driver is placed in the top of the speakers, playing into a reflector that creates a spherical and powerful 360-degree sound experience.
Direct streaming of music
Multiple connectivity options such as Google Cast, AirPlay, DNLA and Bluetooth offer easy access from mobile devices and music apps. BeoSound 1 and 2 also provide integrated access to TuneIn Internet radio stations as well as Spotify and Deezer music services to allow streaming of music without using a smartphone or tablet.
Intuitive sensor technology
BeoSound 1 and 2 introduce a magical experience using proximity sensors that enable control of the basic operations on the speaker intuitively. As the sensor detects your presence, it is ready for commands with the user interface turned towards the user. Turn the wheel to adjust the volume, and simply swipe and tap on the top for other commands.
Music across the home
BeoSound 1 and 2 are the newest members of the Bang & Olufsen BeoLink Multiroom portfolio that connects your Bang & Olufsen products into one wireless music system across the home. Connect up to 8 BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2 in a multiroom set-up.
BeoSound 1 is available in Bang & Olufsen stores now at a recommended retail price of £995. BeoSound 2 is available from end October 2016 at a recommended retail price of £1350.
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And now the technical stuff....
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BeoSound 1
BeoSound 1 is an uncomplicated and compact wireless speaker system that is battery driven and thus can be placed freely anywhere you want, designed for a casual listening experience.
It is based on the new audio engine platform that allows streaming from mobile devices using the latest technologies, such as: AirPlay, Google Cast, DLNA and Bluetooth.
At the same time it integrates music services and digital radio such as: Deezer, TuneIn internet radio, Spotify (Spotify Connect feature) and QQMusic (QPlay feature).
BeoSound 1 is the new member of the one-touch multiroom portfolio of products, which means it can join and playback content from other sources and be in sync for a BeoLink Multiroom user experience involving more products and more rooms.
Designer: Torsten Valeur, David Lewis Designers
Materials and colour: Polished natural aluminium
Dimensions and weight: Diameter: 161.8 mm - Height: 327 mm : Weight is 3.5 kg
Power Consumption: Rechargeable Li-ion battery with up to 16 hours*/4 hours** playback.
* at moderate listening level
** at loud listening level
Acoustic performance
360 degree sound dispersion using Acoustic Lens Technology applied with a 1½inch fullrange driver placed in the top,playing downwards into a reflector for a spherical sound image and a uniform timbre. In a 360 degree circumference.
The 4-inch bass driver is placed at the bottom of the unit playing downwards allowing us to use a relatively large driver for a great bass performance.
Loudspeaker drivers: Active speaker design
1½ inch fullrange driver
4 inch woofer
Power amplifiers 1 x 20 watts class D for woofer
1 x 40 watts class D for fullrange
Cabinet principle: Closed box
Frequency range : 35 – 24,300 Hz
Wireless networks : 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz & 5GHz) Bluetooth 4.1
Supported audio formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, ALAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF
Standard sample rates : up to 192 kHz, stereo and up to 24 bit
Includes Bang & Olufsen specific technologies such as Adaptive Bass Linearisation and thermal protection to avoid overload or overheating
Designer: Torsten Valeur, David Lewis designers
Natural anodized, cone shaped cabinet that is slight curved (almost like a trumpet) creates the compact impression that makes the device fit in anywhere on a shelf or at the kitchen table.
The aluminium cabinet is an extruded tube that is formed in a hydraulic press into the cone shape. The cabinet is 3 mm thick for sufficient stiffness to avoid acoustic vibration and increase the inside space as much as possible to optimise the acoustics.
It is lightweight and portable with a small groove under the top to ensure a better grip when you lift it up and move it around.
User interface : It is a battery powered speaker that can be charged and used wirelessly for up to 16 hours of continuous playing, if playback is at ‘normal’ listening levels. The battery time is reduced if the speaker is playing at full volume and with demanding music material.
On the top of the unit is a capacitive touch sensitive operation wheel where you can swipe between tracks or stations and turn up and down the volume, join or switch off the system.
An integrated proximity sensor detects where you are coming from, so the operation is always turned in the correct direction for the user regardless of from which direction he or she is approaching the product.
Swiping is made in the same way you would turn pages in a book – from right to left is swiping forward and from left to right is swiping backwards.
The top is made in high gloss aluminium with a polished surface with a mechanical volume wheel moving based on a ball bearing design with audible and tactile feedback when turn up or down the volume. You activate BeoSound 1 by pushing at the centre of the surface, and the LED status indicator gives you relevant feedback.
Connection and operation : 1 x Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s
Besides connector for 230 V mains, there is one connector in the bottom of the speaker holding an RJ45 socket for Ethernet connection. This is used for software updates.
BeoSound 1 can be operated with your BeoRemote One Bluetooth or via the BeoMusic App, or directly on the device itself, and it can also be paired via the BeoSound Essence Remote.
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SO, there you have the BeoWorld Review for the new BeoSound 1...
In a nutshell, this is a GOOD product. Possibly designed and released to satiate the dealers who are sick of having Play products in their stores and being constantly undercut. This is a product they can put in store and call their own. It's part of 'the proper range' so to speak.
Have a look, have a listen – let me know your thoughts. We all see differently, we all hear differently…. and this is BeoWorld, after all. Be vocal - we know you will!
Lee
Thanks 9LEE for taking the time to review and for the real life pics.
Comparing the BS1 to the Beolit 15 is a bit unfair, I think.
You compare those soundwise, but you don't take the functionality into account.
These are two different products - but then again....
....if you just want/need a bluetooth speaker, you might be right saying 'go for the Beolit 15'.
PS. Didn't you test the BS1 in a NL network?
That - I guess - is where will shine: a small portable device, that can be part of an existing link setup at home.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Thank you for a great review! Unfortunately this quelled my desire for the "1" a little and I am wondering how the "2" will be. Do you think there is a chance you will get the 2 when it comes out? If it is much better I would probably go that route. I like the idea behind this speaker, but it looks like we may have to spend a little more to get a better-than-BeoLit 15 performance.
I love the new additions and I'm planning to buy one or even both. They are the long-anticipated B&O NL speakers.
Reading the review though, I am a bit disappointed and I am wondering a bit about the best use:
1) Temporarily in the garden with battery - it feels from the review that they are not designed to sound good and probably just don't have the power? The A9 (with power cord though) is probably the better speaker for this.
2) Bathroom or kitchen - not ideal given aluminum finish. Need to wait for a PLAY product with NL? If there ever will be s suitable one.
3) Any living or bed room without television - that's where these speakers are probably ideal for?
Before reading the review, I was quite sure I'd prefer the BS1 over the BS2 given its size. Reflecting a bit more and thinking about where to place them, the BS2 may actually be the superior speaker after all?
Lee,thank you for taking the time, your nice and honest review and the photos!
Millemissen: Thanks 9LEE for taking the time to review and for the real life pics. Comparing the BS1 to the Beolit 15 is a bit unfair, I think. You compare those soundwise, but you don't take the functionality into account. These are two different products - but then again.... ....if you just want/need a bluetooth speaker, you might be right saying 'go for the Beolit 15'. PS. Didn't you test the BS1 in a NL network? That - I guess - is where will shine: a small portable device, that can be part of an existing link setup at home. MM
MM, the first thing I'll say is that I didn't test it in an NL network.
Why? Because I simply assume it will integrate and work perfectly. Once it's done that though, it's all about how good it sounds. It's a speaker after all - so I was more interested in how it sounded...
Perhaps I expected too much from it (I knew the price before I actually saw it, so I had preconceptions) - and as it's the baby in the range I may have demanded too much.
I'm also loathe to comment on the BeoSound 2 as I haven't heard it - but I get the distinct feeling that the small price difference for the BeoSound 2 will tip people into buying this. Maybe this is the idea... That's 'clever pricing' if it is. Small popcorn £1.25, Medium £1.50, Large £1.60. Which one does your brain naturally gravitate to?
I wrote this review with the idea of being fair, and honest. We're an independent site at the end of the day, and we can say what we like. I think B&O kind of respect this too... They know we won't pull our punches - and we don't!
Finally, with regards to the BeoLit 15 / BeoSound 1 comparison - I'd be interested to hear, from people who have auditioned the BeoSound 1, wether they'd choose TWO BeoLit 15's and enough for a nice meal at a restaurant over one BeoSound 1. That's a question for you...
9 LEE:...she runs 20-30 miles a week, sadly not all in the same direction...
Excellent !
Thank you for a very well written and informative review, sounds like the beosound 2 will have a bit better due to the larger size looks nice however although it does kind of look like a flask as mentioned.
Beoplay A2
Thanks lee for your thoughts, as always. It is appreciated.
Thanks for a thorough review Lee! But I think one of our posters was right, it's obvious you totally sugar coated the review!
Excellent in comparing it to the Beolit 15, that's a question many will ask, how does it compare. Your comment about owning stereo Beolits vs. one BS1 is a valid comment. For my own needs, NL wouldn't be important. I've found that I haven't even fully installed all my MasterLInk stuff, as there's only one room I want or need to hear the same music in as the main system. For the other rooms, having the portable A3 and Beolit 15 works far better, and cheaper, and I imagine that will be true for many people.
Good point about the aluminum with respect to handling and showing fingerprints and dirt. One thing I hate about stainless steel appliances in kitchens is the near impossibility of keeping fingerprints off of them, as well as their ability to attract every speck of airborne oil or grease from sauteing on the stove! I take a day every month or so to basically strip down the kitchen and clean every thing on the counters and the counters and cabinets. Even with a powerful hood it's amazing just how much oil gets redistributed from the cooktop.
Thanks again for the great review.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
9 LEE:Finally, with regards to the BeoLit 15 / BeoSound 1 comparison - I'd be interested to hear, from people who have auditioned the BeoSound 1, wether they'd choose TWO BeoLit 15's and enough for a nice meal at a restaurant over one BeoSound 1. That's a question for you.
No exposure to the BS1 yet, but - in either case - the NL functionality clearly sets them apart. The BL15 is a great speaker away from home, but lacks NL functionality, which for me is key if you have other B&O devices.
steve1977: 9 LEE:Finally, with regards to the BeoLit 15 / BeoSound 1 comparison - I'd be interested to hear, from people who have auditioned the BeoSound 1, wether they'd choose TWO BeoLit 15's and enough for a nice meal at a restaurant over one BeoSound 1. That's a question for you. No exposure to the BS1 yet, but - in either case - the NL functionality clearly sets them apart. The BL15 is a great speaker away from home, but lacks NL functionality, which for me is key if you have other B&O devices.
Exactly that was my point!
Excellent review Lee.
Hopefully get to hear it in real life soon at a dealers, maybe a copper BS2 for the open plan area!
Great review and nice IRL pictures :)
The small size and battery makes this a perfect kitchen/balcony speaker which you can alternate in between. Really ideal for this purpose.
Just a side note: if you don't want your posts going through the moderation delay, avoid mentioning kitchens too much
Thanks for the review Lee!
--mika
Could the BeoLit 15 handle louder volume levels better than the BeoSound 1?
Test setup with bluetooth does not let the BS1 perform to his fullest? Perhaps it showed more artifacts of bad stream quality? In any way it's ment for a cute tabletop speaker close to the ears.
We currently have an A6 placed backed up against a wall on a cabinet in the bedroom. If the BS1 / 2 were released at the same time, I'd definitely go for the 1 or 2 just based on looks alone, they're more my taste. But Lee's review of the 1 and the A6 being a draw quells what might have been buyer's remorse.
I'd be curious to hear a comparison of the A6 and BS2. Then again, we're not using the A6 as a portable, bring it to parties type of device. (Wish we were invited to lots of parties, LOL).
Hmmm, so if the A6 roughly equal to the BS1, & BL15 is slightly better than the BS1, is the BL15 at least mostly the same as the A6, maybe a little better? Of course if the BS1 & BL15 were tested not using bluetooth, then this comparison would not be valid.
Seeing the BS1 and BS2 colors on another site make me want to wait a little longer, but how long?
We have got a problem!
Now we have several options for a speaker in a secondary (or third....) room.
The A9, the A6, an Essence with xx speakers, (the converter with xx speakers), the BS35, the BS1 and the BS2..... and the B&OPlay BT speakers too.
It has become hard to choose which one, we want/need - poor us ;-(
Hmmmm...
You definitely need a beer MM!