The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9 (4th Gen) is the latest iteration of the iconic speaker that has captivated audio enthusiasts and design lovers alike. Known for its striking appearance and premium sound quality, the Beosound A9 seamlessly blends art and technology to create a speaker that is as much a statement piece as an audio device. With the 4th generation, Bang & Olufsen has introduced new features and improvements that keep the Beosound A9 at the forefront of luxury audio.
This review will explore the design, audio performance, intelligent features, connectivity, and overall value of the Beosound A9 (4th Gen). Whether you’re a long-time fan of Bang & Olufsen or new to the brand, this review will help you understand what makes the Beosound A9 stand out in a crowded market.
In this Beosound A9 Review, we’ll take a look at:
Design and Build Quality
The Beosound A9 is renowned for its distinctive, minimalist design that challenges the traditional notion of what a speaker should look like. The 4th Gen model continues this legacy with subtle refinements that enhance its aesthetic appeal and functionality.
Iconic and Timeless Design
The Beosound A9 features a circular design that immediately catches the eye. The speaker is supported by three wooden legs, making it a piece of modern art rather than a traditional audio device. The circular grille, available in various colors and fabrics, can be customized to match your home’s decor, allowing the speaker to blend seamlessly into any environment.
Bang & Olufsen offers a variety of finishes for the legs, including oak, walnut, and black, ensuring that the Beosound A9 can complement contemporary and classic interiors. The minimalist design is visually striking and highly functional, with every element serving a purpose.
Premium Materials and Craftsmanship
Like all Bang & Olufsen products, the Beosound A9 (4th Gen) is crafted from the finest materials. The speaker’s frame is made from high-quality aluminum, providing durability and a premium feel. The fabric grille, produced in collaboration with renowned textile manufacturer Kvadrat, adds a tactile element to the design while ensuring optimal sound dispersion.
The attention to detail extends to the speaker’s rear, which features a handle for easy portability and a hidden compartment for cable management. The overall build quality is exceptional, reflecting Bang & Olufsen’s commitment to creating products built to last.
Audio Performance
While the Beosound A9 is undeniably beautiful, its actual value lies in its ability to deliver world-class sound quality. The 4th Gen model builds on the success of its predecessors with enhanced audio performance, making it one of the best-sounding wireless speakers on the market.
Powerful and Immersive Sound
The Beosound A9 (4th Gen) has seven drivers, including two 3-inch midrange drivers, two 1.5-inch full-range drivers, two 0.75-inch tweeters, and an 8-inch woofer. This powerful combination allows the speaker to produce a wide frequency range with deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs.
The expansive soundstage creates an immersive listening experience, filling the room with rich, detailed audio. Whether listening to your favorite music, watching a movie, or simply enjoying background music, the Beosound A9 delivers powerful and refined sound.
Adaptive Room Compensation
One of the standout features of the Beosound A9 (4th Gen) is its Adaptive Room Compensation technology. The speaker analyzes the room’s acoustics using built-in microphones and automatically adjusts its sound profile to deliver the best audio experience. This ensures that the Beosound A9 sounds great no matter where it’s placed, whether in a spacious living room, a cozy bedroom, or a busy kitchen.
Customizable Sound Settings
For those who like to fine-tune their listening experience, the Beosound A9 offers customizable sound settings via the Bang & Olufsen app. The app allows you to adjust the bass, treble, and midrange frequencies to suit your preferences. You can also choose from a range of preset sound modes, such as “Party,” “Speech,” and “Movie,” to optimize the audio for different types of content.
Multi-Directional Sound
The Beosound A9 is designed to produce sound in all directions, ensuring everyone in the room enjoys the same high-quality audio experience. This multi-directional sound is perfect for social gatherings, where guests can move around the space without experiencing any drop in audio quality. The speaker’s powerful drivers and advanced acoustic design ensure the sound remains clear and balanced, even at higher volumes.
Intelligent Features and Voice Assistant Integration
In addition to its exceptional audio performance, the Beosound A9 (4th Gen) is packed with intelligent features that make it a versatile addition to any modern home.
Voice Assistant Integration
The Beosound A9 supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control the speaker using voice commands. Whether you want to play music, check the weather, set reminders, or control other smart home devices, the built-in voice assistants make it easy to manage your day-to-day tasks hands-free. The speaker’s far-field microphone array ensures it can hear your voice commands clearly, even in noisy environments or when music is playing at high volumes.
Multi-Room Audio with Beolink Multiroom
The Beosound A9 is part of Bang & Olufsen’s Beolink Multiroom system, which allows you to connect multiple Bang & Olufsen speakers throughout your home. Using the Bang & Olufsen app, you can group speakers and play the same music in every room or different tracks in different rooms. This multi-room audio feature creates a seamless listening experience as you move from room to room.
Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-In
The Beosound A9 also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, giving you even more options for streaming your favorite content. With AirPlay 2, you can stream music directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, while Chromecast allows you to stream audio from a wide range of apps on your Android device. Both options provide high-quality, wireless audio streaming that integrates seamlessly with your existing devices.
Automatic Software Updates
Bang & Olufsen is committed to updating its products with the latest features and improvements. The Beosound A9 (4th Gen) receives automatic software updates, ensuring that your speaker remains at the cutting edge of technology. These updates may include new features, performance enhancements, and security patches, allowing your Beosound A9 to evolve.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Beosound A9 (4th Gen) offers a wide range of connectivity options, making it easy to integrate into your existing audio setup or smart home ecosystem.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity
The Beosound A9 connects to your home Wi-Fi network, allowing you to stream music directly from your favorite services without relying on a smartphone or other device. The speaker also supports Bluetooth, allowing you to play audio from any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. This dual connectivity ensures you can enjoy your music no matter where it’s stored.
Versatile Compatibility
The Beosound A9 is compatible with many streaming services, including Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, and more. It also supports DLNA, allowing you to stream music from a networked storage device. The speaker’s versatility ensures that you can access your entire music library, no matter how it’s stored or where it’s located.
Easy Setup and Management
Setting up the Beosound A9 is quick and easy, thanks to the Bang & Olufsen app. The app guides you through the setup process, helping you connect the speaker to your Wi-Fi network and configure your voice assistant settings. Once set up, you can use the app to manage your Beosound A9, create speaker groups, and adjust sound settings to suit your preferences. The app’s user-friendly interface makes getting the most out of your speaker simple.
Comparison with Competitors
The Beosound A9 (4th Gen) competes with high-end wireless speakers, including the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge, Devialet Phantom, and Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation. Here’s how it compares to these competitors:
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge is known for its distinctive design and sound quality. While both speakers offer premium audio performance, the Beosound A9’s multi-directional sound and customizable design options stand out. The Beosound A9’s Adaptive Room Compensation technology also gives it an edge in versatility, ensuring optimal sound quality in any environment.
Devialet Phantom
The Devialet Phantom is a powerful wireless speaker with deep bass and high volume levels. While the Phantom excels in raw power, the Beosound A9 offers a more balanced and refined sound profile. The Beosound A9’s integration with voice assistants and multi-room audio features makes it a more versatile option for creating a connected home.
Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation
The Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation is a highly regarded wireless speaker focusing on detailed sound and robust build quality. While the Naim Mu-so offers impressive audio performance, the Beosound A9 provides a more immersive listening experience with its multi-directional sound and adaptive tuning. The Beosound A9’s iconic design and customizable options make it a standout piece in any home.
Pricing and Availability
The Beosound A9 (4th Gen) is priced as a premium product, reflecting its high-quality design, audio performance, and advanced features. It is available for purchase directly from Bang & Olufsen, as well as from select retailers and online stores. While it may be more expensive than some competitors, the Beosound A9 offers exceptional value for those who appreciate both form and function in their audio equipment.
Conclusion
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9 (4th Gen) is a masterful blend of art and technology, offering stunning design, exceptional sound quality, and advanced intelligent features. Whether you’re an audiophile, a design enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates high-quality craftsmanship, the Beosound A9 is a speaker that delivers on all fronts. Its timeless design, powerful audio performance, and versatile connectivity options make it a standout choice for anyone looking to elevate their home audio experience.
Summary of Beosound A9 (4th Gen) Features
Feature | Description |
Design and Build Quality | Iconic circular design with customizable finishes and premium materials. |
Audio Performance | Powerful, immersive sound with Adaptive Room Compensation and multi-directional audio. |
Smart Features | Voice assistant integration, multi-room audio with Beolink Multiroom, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast support. |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and versatile compatibility with various streaming services and smart home platforms. |
Comparison | Outperforms competitors like Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge and Devialet Phantom in design versatility and adaptive sound. |
Pricing and Availability | Premium pricing is available through Bang & Olufsen and select retailers. |
The Beosound A9 (4th Gen) is more than just a speaker; it’s a statement piece that combines exceptional sound with timeless design. Whether you’re listening to music, entertaining guests, or simply enjoying the beauty of a well-crafted object, the Beosound A9 is an investment that enhances both your home and your listening experience.
Beosound A9 (4th Gen) FAQ
What are the main differences between the Beosound A9 (4th Gen) and previous generations?
The Beosound A9 (4th Gen) introduces several key improvements over its predecessors. These include enhanced Adaptive Room Compensation technology, which automatically adjusts the sound profile based on the room’s acoustics, and updated intelligent features such as voice assistant integration with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The 4th Gen model also offers more customizable design options, including new finishes for the legs and grille, allowing users to tailor the speaker to their home decor.
Can the Beosound A9 (4th Gen) be used in a multi-room audio setup?
Yes, the Beosound A9 (4th Gen) is fully compatible with Bang & Olufsen’s Beolink Multiroom system. This allows you to connect the A9 with other Bang & Olufsen speakers throughout your home for a seamless multi-room audio experience. You can control all connected speakers through the Bang & Olufsen app, play the same music in every room, or choose different tracks for different spaces. The A9 also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, enhancing its multi-room capabilities.
How does the Beosound A9 (4th Gen) perform in terms of sound quality?
The Beosound A9 (4th Gen) delivers exceptional sound quality with its powerful seven-driver setup, providing deep bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. The speaker’s Adaptive Room Compensation ensures optimal sound performance in any environment, making adjustments based on the room’s acoustics. Whether listening to music, watching movies, or enjoying a podcast, the Beosound A9 offers a rich, immersive audio experience that fills the room with balanced, high-fidelity sound.