Quick Take
If you want a portable speaker that looks like design furniture and sounds like a small hi-fi, the Beosound A5 is hard to ignore. It throws out big, even sound for a crowd, has real materials that feel premium, and travels easily room to room. It is pricey, the app does some heavy lifting, and there is no optical input for TVs. For style-first listeners who still care about fidelity, it delivers. For simple plug-and-play shoppers on a tight budget, it may be overkill.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| • Room-filling, richly detailed sound for its size | • Expensive compared with most portable speakers |
| • Strong bass with clear vocals and smooth treble | • Some users report app or connectivity hiccups |
| • True 360-style coverage with adjustable sound focus | • No optical input for TV, wireless casting may add latency |
| • Solid battery life with wireless phone charging on top | • Big and heavy for a “portable” speaker |
| • Premium build, real oak and aluminum, IP65 rated | • Best results need the app for tuning and pairing |
| • Easy multiroom, stereo pairing, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast | • Bluetooth limited to common codecs, not hi-res |
Key Features of the Beosound A5
Design and build
This is one of those products you leave out on display. Real wood, cool-to-the-touch aluminum, and a sturdy carry handle give it “mini furniture” vibes. It feels solid, and the IP65 rating means it is happy on patios and at picnics.
Sound that scales up
The four-driver array throws a big, even bubble of sound that stays composed as you turn it up. Bass is confident and deep for the size, vocals sit naturally, and treble has air without glare. Where many portables go boomy or shouty, the A5 keeps its balance.
Smart tuning that actually helps
Active Room Compensation lets the speaker “learn” your space and adjust, which tightens bass in tricky rooms. You can also switch between a wide, “everyone in the room” presentation and a narrower, front-focused mode from the app.
Modern streaming, simple linking
AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect make it feel like another zone in your home audio system. Add a second A5 for true stereo, or group it with other compatible B&O speakers for whole-home playback.
Everyday convenience
Up to 12 hours of battery life is enough for a day’s worth of music at normal volumes. Drop your phone on the top pad for Qi charging. USB-C power keeps recharging straightforward.
Sound Quality and Ease of Use: A Detailed Listening Experience
Users consistently praise the Beosound A5 for its sound profile, often comparing it to a high-quality bookshelf speaker rather than a typical portable. Vocals come through clean, the bass is impressively powerful from its custom 5.25-inch woofer, and the 360-degree presentation wraps the room in sound. Whether you’re playing a complex jazz record or a dialogue-heavy podcast, it handles the mix with poise.
The A5 uses RoomSense (active room compensation) and signal processing to adapt its output to your space. The goal is a broad, stable sweet spot with even coverage, without you needing to dive into complex setup.
On the flip side, some owners note occasional app or connectivity hiccups, which is plausible given the speaker’s reliance on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control. There are also isolated reports of early unit failures, as with any electronic product, though day-to-day use is typically straightforward once paired.
Ease of use comes down to simple top controls plus the Bang & Olufsen app for extras. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi pairing are standard, and the app adds Beosonic EQ and RoomSense calibration for fine-tuning. If you’d rather avoid apps, you can still play and adjust basics on the device, but deeper customization lives in software.
Who Is It For?
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 is ideal for design-conscious music lovers who want to combine aesthetics and audio excellence in a portable package. If you appreciate finely crafted materials, value 360-degree immersive sound, and enjoy the convenience of wireless charging, this speaker caters to your lifestyle beautifully.
Where it’s not ideal
- Value per decibel: If you only care about maximum volume per dollar, others get louder for less.
- Ultra-light travel: At nearly 4 kg, this is a house-to-patio device, not a backpacking speaker.
- All-weather roughhousing: IP65 doesn’t mean “pool toy.” Wood and fibre finishes deserve respect around water.
Alternatives to consider
- Design-first, lower cost: B&O Beosound A1 (sacrifice scale, keep style).
- Party-loud portables: JBL/Bose party series (trade refinement for output).
- Static room solution: A compact pair of active bookshelves (lose portability, gain true stereo width).
If you are a casual user looking for a budget-friendly speaker or someone who prefers plug-and-play simplicity with minimal app interaction, you might want to explore other options.
Final Thoughts
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 stands out in the crowded portable speaker market by delivering on the promise of exceptional sound quality, elegant design, and thoughtful portability. Its ability to fill a room with 360-degree sound coupled with advanced audio customization features makes it a versatile choice for discerning listeners.
While the speaker commands a premium and has received mixed feedback regarding app connectivity and occasional reliability, the overall user experience leans strongly positive.
Buy the Beosound A5 Bluetooth Speaker
FAQ
Q: Can I connect it directly to my TV with a cable?
A: There is no optical input. Most people use AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or Bluetooth from the TV. For movies, casting over Wi-Fi generally provides better sync than Bluetooth.
Q: Does it really play in 360 degrees?
A: It is designed for room-filling coverage and lets you choose a wide “omni” presentation or a forward-focused mode in the app. Placement still matters, but it is forgiving.
Q: How long does the battery last in real use?
A: Up to about 12 hours at moderate volumes. Very loud playback, heavy bass, or using the Qi charging pad for your phone will reduce that time.
Q: Is the speaker waterproof?
A: It is IP65 rated, which means dust tight and protected against low-pressure water jets. Rain and splashes are fine. Do not submerge it.
Q: Can I pair two for stereo?
A: Yes. Two matching Beosound A5 units can be set up as a stereo pair in the app. You can also group it with other compatible B&O speakers over Wi-Fi for multiroom.
Q: Does it support hi-res Bluetooth codecs?
A: It supports the common Bluetooth codecs most phones use. For the best quality, stream over Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or Spotify/Tidal Connect.
Q: How does the wireless phone charging work?
A: The top panel is a Qi charging pad. Set a compatible phone on top and it will charge while the speaker plays.
Q: Is there a mic for voice assistants or calls?
A: The built-in microphones are used for room calibration. For voice assistants or calls, check the app and regional features; most people use their phone as the controller.
Q: How portable is it really?
A: It is easy to carry around the house or to the patio thanks to the handle, but at roughly 3.7–3.9 kg it is more “pick-up-and-go” than “toss in a backpack.”
Q: What finish should I choose?
A: Oak offers a warm, natural look, while Dark Oak, Nordic Weave, and other finishes lean more modern or minimalist. All use the same core hardware.
Buy the Beosound A5 Bluetooth Speaker
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