Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1
This portable speaker looks as good as it sounds. And vice-versa.
I’m infatuated with this portable Bluetooth speaker from B&O, an exquisite marriage of form and function. Let’s start with function: The Beoplay A1 offers impressive sound from a compact package, with credible bass, twinkly highs and notable separation. At 1.3 pounds, it’s a little heavier than some similarly sized portable speakers, but that’s because it’s made of aluminum, and you can tell the Beoplay A1 could handle being toted around in a gym bag or traveling cross-country on a business trip. I also love how easy it is to take phone calls through the Beoplay A1, which is far clearer than an iPhone speaker for all parties involved—and when you end your call, your music starts right up again. On to form: for me, technology must not only work well but also look cool, so I admire the Beoplay A1’s effervescent blue circle and handy carrying cord, which makes this speaker both elegant and informal at the same time. Now a staple on my desktop, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 is one of the few pieces of new tech that I’d find it hard to do without. $249, bang-olufsen.com
