Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9 (5th Generation) Reviewed & Tested
In the world of audio equipment, where functionality often overshadows form, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9 (5th Generation) emerges as a beacon of balance. This latest iteration of the iconic A9 series not only pushes the boundaries of sound quality but does so with an elegance that is unmistakably Bang & Olufsen. As a seasoned reviewer of high-end audio gear, I was fortunate to spend extensive time with the A9 (and ultimately purchased one), and it has reshaped my expectations of what a speaker can be. Here’s an in-depth look at this remarkable device.
Features at a Glance
Before diving into my personal experience, let's outline what sets the Beosound A9 apart:
Powerful Room-Filling Sound: Seven drivers deliver an expansive soundstage that fills your living space with rich, detailed audio.
Active Room Compensation: The speaker's intelligent design optimizes sound based on its environment, ensuring impeccable audio quality in any setting. This removes the complications of placing your speakers for optimum room acoustics.
Powerful Streaming Platform: Ready for the future, the A9 offers a seamless setup, robust streaming capabilities, and anticipates software updates.
Iconic Design, Rich Expressive Sound: With a visually striking aesthetic, the A9 is as much a pleasure to behold as it is to hear.
Bang & Olufsen App: This comprehensive app allows users to tailor the speaker's settings, select sound profiles, and much more.
Connect Your Speakers: Integration capabilities with Beolink Multiroom, AirPlay 2, and more for seamless multi-speaker setups.
My Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Unmatched Sound Quality
The Beosound A9 delivers a sonic experience that transcends its singular form. The richness and depth of the sound it produces are unparalleled, offering clarity and immersion that rivals multi-speaker setups. It’s the nuances in the music, those often lost in translation by lesser systems, that the A9 masterfully reveals. For the form factor and being a single-pointed speaker, it’s truly remarkable. You do want to use high-resolution audio formats where possible, but the unit is also fairly forgiving to bad masterings and low bitrates, which, as a fan of ’80s punk rock, is a godsend given most songs were probably recorded in the artist's ba’s ba’s ba, ’s ba’s ba’s ba’s ba’s bathroom.
Adaptive Sound Technology
Active Room Compensation is a standout feature, allowing the speaker to analyze and adapt to their surroundings. This ensures that whether placed in a cozy study or a spacious living room, the A9 delivers perfectly tuned sound to its environment. In practice, it does really work, and I was surprised how well it did so.
Aesthetic and Functional Harmony
The Beosound A9's design is nothing short of breathtaking. Its elegant shape and customizable covers mean it can complement any interior design, making it a statement piece in any home. The speaker is remarkably easy to set up and operate, thanks in part to the intuitive Bang & Olufsen App. The main thing is that as an all-in-one system, you aren't pressed for space, nor are you left with having to hide cables and amps.
Connectivity and Compatibility
With support for Beolink Multiroom, AirPlay 2, and more, the A9 creates a seamless audio experience across multiple rooms and devices. This versatility makes it a central figure in any home audio setup.
Cons:
Streaming Service Compatibility
The Beosound A9 shines in many areas, but its streaming service compatibility is limited. My experience with Amazon Music was less than ideal, as I could not stream it directly through the speaker with voice commands. While this is a minor flaw, broader support for all major streaming services would make the A9 even more versatile.
Reflecting on My Time with the A9
Taking the Plunge
Deciding to splash out on the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9 (5th Generation) felt monumental. It's not every day you decide to invest what amounts to a small fortune on a speaker, no matter how premium it might be. Yet, I knew this wasn't just any purchase from the moment I powered it on. It was more like welcoming a new piece of culture into my home—a blend of art, technology, and sheer audio pleasure that I hadn't quite anticipated.
The speaker's weight was significant in both its physical presence and the expectations surrounding it. But as it filled my room with its first notes, it filled me with awe. I've had my fair share of experiences with high-end audio systems, but the A9's ability to envelop me in sound from a singular, beautifully designed point was a revelation. This wasn't just about listening to music; it was about experiencing it on a level I hadn't thought possible from a standalone speaker. That is where its true brilliance lies; it is one piece of equipment that can rival size Hi-Fi systems (with some dollar-to-dollar sacrifice but a whole lot of added convenience)
Was It Worth It? (I purchased one after the Review finished)
Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt. The Beosound A9 has become more than just a speaker in my home. It's a focal point, a daily source of joy, and a testament to what modern technology can achieve in harmony with design. The way it enhances every listening moment, turning ordinary days into an immersive soundtrack, has been nothing short of transformative. It's not just an audio device; it's an experience that has enriched my auditory life and my overall sense of living space luxury.
For me, the move to a single-point system took out much of the tinkering, a lot of the OCD, and a lot of the component optimization stress and allowed me to just get back to listening and focusing on the music. I think a lot of us go down the rabbit hole of full systems, and there is much upside to that, but on that journey, we can get lost, and the equipment becomes our primary focus. Systems like this take a lot of the hassle out of the process.
Comparing the Incomparable
Looking for a comparison in the world of all-in-one high-end speakers is a bit of a tough task. Few on the market can even begin to rival the A9, with maybe Devialet as one of the few contenders. But putting them side by side isn't straightforward. Each brand brings something unique to the table, both in sound and aesthetics. Yet, the A9 holds its ground, not just because of its performance, but because of how it makes you feel—a seamless part of your life, enhancing every moment with its presence.
For reference, in my second home, having been converted to a single-speaker guy, I must confess I have also purchased that Devialet, and a full review will follow. I could have got a second A9, but with both being good in their own right, I wanted to have a second toy. Yes, I also intend to keep my full audiophile Hifi systems and collection of floor-standing and bookshelf speakers on rotation there, but most of my day-to-day listening will be done on the one-point systems.
The A9's journey into your home is not just about the sound or its striking looks. It's about how it integrates into your life, making itself indispensable as a speaker and a piece of modern art that plays your favorite tunes. The devialet to me looks like a speaker, the A9 looks like furniture. The comparison, while interesting, fades in the face of the A9's unique offering. It's in a league of its own, not just playing music but transforming the very act of listening.
Final Thoughts
This journey with the Beosound A9 has been about more than just testing a high-end speaker. It's been a foray into what happens when you combine stellar sound quality with breathtaking design. Yes, the investment is significant, but the returns—auditory, visual, and emotional—far exceed the financial cost. It challenges us to expect more from our devices, to see them not just as tools for listening but as integral parts of our living spaces, enhancing every aspect of our daily lives.
For those pondering whether the A9 is worth the investment, the answer lies in what you seek from your audio equipment. If it's just sound, there are many options out there. But if you're looking for something that transcends the ordinary, that melds sound and design into something truly extraordinary, then the Beosound A9 is more than just a speaker. It's a piece of living art, transforming every note into an experience to be cherished.