Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 Gets a Charcoal Knit Finish for $1,450
The Beosound A5’s new charcoal knit finish is its lowest priced option at $1,450, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 12-hour battery.
Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound A5 now comes in charcoal knit, bringing a dark, understated finish to the portable speaker at the lowest price in its range: $1,450. The new option keeps the A5’s mix of home Wi-Fi streaming and portable Bluetooth playback, while giving buyers a less expensive entry point than the other finishes, which range from $1,650 to $2,700.
Bang & OlufsenThe pricing is the notable part of this update. The A5 sits in B&O’s luxury Beosound line, whose speakers can be grouped into a multi-room system. That puts it in the same broad use category as Sonos speakers, while its $1,450 starting price positions it well above many portable alternatives. The charcoal version makes the A5 more accessible within B&O’s own lineup, though it remains a substantial purchase.
A portable speaker for home and away
The A5 supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. At home, Wi-Fi lets owners stream through the speaker and group it with other Beosound models. Bluetooth provides a way to use it as a portable speaker outside that setup. The source describes it as a 360-degree sound speaker, a design intended to spread audio around the listening area rather than direct it from a single forward-facing position.
Its portability comes with a stated battery life of 12 hours, and the speaker charges through USB-C. Those details make battery planning part of the decision: the A5 can move between rooms or head outdoors, but the source provides no playback conditions for the battery estimate. Actual listening time can depend on how a speaker is used, so the stated figure is best treated as a reference rather than a guarantee for every outing.
A wireless phone charger built into the top adds another practical feature for use around the house. It means the speaker can serve as a charging surface as well as an audio system, though the article gives no charging speed or compatibility details. The carry handle and portable format make moving it easier, but they don’t change the need to plan around its battery and charging needs when taking it away from a power source.
What changes with charcoal knit
The new finish pairs a black anthracite aluminum body with a charcoal grey Kvadrat fabric cover and a black leather handle. B&O describes the look as “Scandinavian craftsmanship” with a monochromatic style. The design is a shift in appearance rather than a change to the speaker’s stated streaming features, battery life or charging method.
Bang & Olufsen
The Beosound A5 launched in 2023 with light oak and silver accents, and dark oak with black accents. B&O has added other colorways since then. Charcoal knit is the newest of those options, and its $1,450 price undercuts the listed prices of the other finishes. The difference matters most to shoppers who already want the A5’s combination of multi-room Wi-Fi use and portable Bluetooth listening, and are deciding which version fits their budget and surroundings.
Price and availability
The Beosound A5 in charcoal knit is priced at $1,450 and is available for preorder. B&O says it will arrive “just in time” for the holiday season. The other A5 finishes cost between $1,650 and $2,700, according to the source. For buyers comparing portable speakers, the useful question is whether the A5’s multi-room role, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options, 12-hour battery claim and built-in phone charging fit the way they expect to use it. The new finish lowers the entry price within the range; it doesn’t change the high-end position of the speaker.
Bang & OlufsenBang & Olufsen Beosound A5 (Charcoal Knit): $1,450 at Bang & Olufsen
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