B&O Play has taken the wraps off its smallest Bluetooth speaker to date, adding the BeoPlay A1 to its line-up, which it states provides up to 24 hours portable playtime during everyday use.Fitting “comfortably in the palm of your hand”, the BeoPlay A1 measures in at 5.2″ x 1.9″ and weighs 600 g – built for life on the go.
B&O Play states that a unique, dedicated DSP algorithm with advanced high-slope filtering sees the BeoPlay A1 “create a spacious 360-degree soundscape”, with the speaker sporting a fully active, two-way design using an aluminium cone mid-woofer, a silk dome 3/4″ tweeter and advanced DSP filtering.
The aluminium cone mid-woofer employs a neodymium magnetic system and high-peak power amps, with the BeoPlay A1 delivering “a full-range deep bass to as low as 40 hz and enough stamina to keep the music playing for hours on end”.
“BeoPlay A1 comes with a beautifully contoured aluminium dome, which gives it a light and elegant appearance and forms a strong protective housing for the technologies within,” B&O Play states of the design.
“The dome conforms seamlessly to the double-moulded polymer base, presenting a completely smooth and continuous surface.”
While the surface is smooth, B&O Play states that it is “robust enough to handle the bumps and scrapes of everyday use”, while the speaker also comes with a soft leather strap.
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“We wanted to make a portable speaker that people would not leave at home,” designer Cecilie Manz commented. “The size and shape of the speaker invites you to pick it up and bring it with you as the most natural thing.
“The combination of premium materials, cool aluminium, soft polymer and the warm touch of leather make it desirable to hold. I like the fact that the rounded, circular shape very clearly indicates the sharing of sound while lying on the table.”
A rechargeable 2,200 mAh Li-ion battery provides up to 24 hours portable playtime, while the BeoPlay A1 also has a built-in speakerphone.
A circular connect button on the speaker’s side reconnects the BeoPlay A1 to the last-used device, instantly playing the last song heard, with B&O Play stating that going forward the button will receive updates to add more functionality.
Available in moss green and natural colours and priced at $379.00, the BeoPlay A1 will be available in Bang & Olufsen stores, Myer and JR/Duty Free, along with independent retailers, from May.
Further information can be found here.
