Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance Wireless Loudspeaker (2020)
Keywords: all-in-onebang-olufsenbeosoundchromecastclass-dgoogle-assistanthigh-endloudspeakerspeakerwireless-speaker
Product Gallery
Product Overview
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance is a high-end wireless speaker with a gorgeous cylindrical design, even though it is not a 360-degree (omni-directional) speaker (the logo should face towards the listener). Within this compact and elegant, B&O packs 7 drivers in a 3-way setup, with smart features to go.
Like other premium smart wireless speakers by B&O, the Beosound Balance comes with an elaborate microphone array that supports voice assistance as well as active room compensation / adjustment features, allowing the speaker to optimize its sound delivery in suboptimal listening environments.
The speaker has not only wireless connectivity but AUX-optical combo jack and dual Ethernet ports. These allow it to be a strong option for HD audio streaming from providers of your choice.
While the standard Natural and Black models use an oak base, B&O is happy to sell you a special version with Carrara marble base (for $500 extra).
The Beosound Balance is perhaps the most beautifully designed wireless home speaker on the market right now, though it targets Bang & Olufsen's unique clientele rather than diehard audiophiles.
A couple of comparable models in B&O's current lineup include the Beoplay A9. From competitors, the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo is perhaps the most analogous.
Ratings
What we found**
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Excellent sound quality
- Great multi-room support
- Lots of smart assistant features
Cons
- Nothing in particular
What external reviewers found***
External score 74% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Decent battery life
- Big, finely balanced sound
- Easy to use app
- Alexa and Google Assistant support
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Some presets are confusing
- Not the widest of soundstages
- Design is a bit over-designed
Price Comparison
Specifications
| Gold | Natural | Black | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Connectivity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ports | 1x Aux / Optical-combo + 2x RJ45 (100Mbps) + 1x USB-C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 + WiFi 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colors | Base: Natural Oak, Black Oak, Carrara Marble / Speaker Cover: Sand, Anthracite, White / Speaker Grille: Gold, Black | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Drivers | Midrange | 2x 2" + 2x 3" full-range | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Drivers | Tweeter | 1x 0.75" tweeter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Drivers | Woofer | 2x 5.25" woofers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Form Factor | All-in-one wireless speaker, powered speaker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loudspeaker Type | 3-way bass reflex | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Material | Carrara Marble, Knitted Fabric, Aluminum | Oak Wood, Knitted Fabric, Aluminum | Oak Wood, Knitted Fabric, Aluminum | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microphone | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | Diameter | 200 mm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | Height | 380 mm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 7.2 kg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Function | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amplifier | Class D, 1x 50W for tweeters + 4x 100W for full-range + 2x 200W for woofer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | Active Room Compensation, Adaptive Bass Linearization, Beam Direction Control (three sides), Beam Width Control, Thermal Protection | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Misc | Possible to pair two Beosound Balances for stereo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Bang & Olufsen Radio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Voice Assistance | Google Assistant | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Response | 26 Hz ~ 23 kHz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Max Sound Level | 104 dB SPL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power Consumption | 100 W | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power Output | 850 W (50W tweeter + 400W full-range + 400W woofer) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Production | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debut | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Launch Comparison
Clear List
External Reviews
t3[1]
Reviewer score 80%The B&O Beosound Balance is the best-sounding and best-looking smart speaker so far. It's also the largest, and the most expensive by a long way. We like how customisable the sound is, even if it's a bit confusing initially. It really lifts your tracks beyond what a smaller speaker can manage. However, it's not really a revelation for sound quality, and at this price, that's kind of what you're hoping for.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Big, finely balanced sound
- Alexa and Google Assistant support
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Design is a bit over-designed
- Some presets are confusing
trustedreviews[2]
Reviewer score 68%The Beosound Balance uses beamforming technology to figure out where it's placed and adjust accordingly. The app is swift and responsive; it's UI clean and easy to live with. It can go pretty loud if you have a large space to fill, but for smaller rooms that’s not necessary. Bass performance is fine, if somewhat gentle rather than impactful and forceful.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Easy to use app
- Decent battery life
Cons
- Not the widest of soundstages
User Reviews
Comments
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References
- ^ Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance review: a Google Assistant smart speaker with serious hi-fi chops. [t3]. https://www.t3.com/reviews/bang-olufsen-beosound-balance-review. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
- ^ Bang and Olufsen Beosound Balance Review. [trustedreviews]. https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/bang-and-olufsen-beosound-balance. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
The MSRP provided on this page may not apply to all regions equally. For the current price, please refer to the Price Comparison section.
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These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.
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