Search

360-Degrees of Bang & Olufsen: BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2

09.15.16 | By
360-Degrees of Bang & Olufsen: BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2

Bang & Olufsen is renowned for their infatuation with aluminum, an affinity made especially apparent with the brand’s new pair of conical speakers unveiled at IFA 2016, the BeoSound 1 and BeoSound 2. The new pair of uniquely shaped speakers are engineered to immerse listeners no matter their location, offering 360-degree sound individually or as part of a multi-room setup.

BeoSound1-2

A minimalist’s Dalek? A narrow aluminum lampshade? The top of a futuristic warhead? What you see in Bang and Olufsen’s latest designs is open to interpretation, but the conical extruded aluminum cabinets serves the purpose of aesthetically distinguishing both models from the boxy status quo as statement pieces, while also allowing drivers to emit highs, lows, and mids outward while minimizing distortion.

beosound1-bathroom

If you suspected there was a difference between the two models beyond size, you’d be correct: the BeoSound 1 is outfitted with a battery for portable use (up to 16 hours of playback at moderate volume) and a hidden moulded grip for carrying the speaker safely. The larger BeoSound 2 requires AC power and can operate more confidently as a floor speaker, putting out a more robust and powerful sound thanks to its 3/4-inch tweeter coupled with a 40W Class D amp, two 2-inch mid-range drivers each with 11W Class D amps, and a 5.25-inch woofer with two 20W class D woofers for the low end.

Peer inside the top opening of each speaker and a glowing punctuation mark at the tip of the driver greets the eagle eyed; the white glow communicates the speakers are connected. Very cool.

Peer inside the top opening of each speaker and a glowing punctuation mark at the tip of the driver greets the eagle eyed; the white glow communicates the speakers are connected and a proximity sensor can determine the location of the user. Very cool.

beosound1-top

beosound1-touch

Touch the top of the BeoSound 1 for playback controls; a twist of the top controls volume.

Both models are equipped with access to Spotify, Deezer QPlay and TuneIn built-in, with streaming via Bluetooth, Googlecast, Apple AirPlay and DLNA all supported. Additionally BeoLink Multiroom Technology permits connecting multiple Bang & Olufsen speakers in one wireless system across your home.

beosound2

Unknown-10

As all good things B&O, expect to part ways with a good bit of your well earned funds for the joy of housing one (or a few) of these striking speakers: The BeoSound 1 retails for $1,500 – available today; the BeoSound 2 will sell for $1,900, available next month in October. 

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.