In the world of high-end audio, where performance and aesthetics often collide, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance stands out as a statement piece. This hands-on Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance review is based on my time testing this unique speaker in a real home environment. It promises not just to fill a room with sound, but to become a seamless part of your living space, blending cutting-edge acoustic technology with a design that is as much about art as it is about audio. The main benefit you get is a speaker that delivers a powerful, room-filling audio experience without ever looking like a traditional piece of tech gear.
From the moment I unboxed it, the Balance felt different. Its form, reminiscent of a sculpted wooden pillar, is both calming and authoritative. It doesn’t scream for attention; it commands it through its quiet presence. I was particularly curious to see if its sound could match its breathtaking design, and whether its smart features would integrate smoothly into daily use. This review will walk you through exactly what it’s like to live with this premium device, from its key features to its real-world performance.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance Review: Hands-On Review – Quick Verdict
After extensive testing, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance delivers a truly premium experience that justifies its position in the high-end market. Its sound signature is exceptionally clear and detailed, with a soundstage that feels expansive and immersive. The build quality and design are second to none, making it a piece of furniture you’ll be proud to display. While it excels in many areas, it’s important to consider its specific strengths and weaknesses to see if it aligns with your needs.
Pros
- Stunning, furniture-grade design that blends into any decor
- Exceptionally clear, detailed, and room-filling sound
- Powerful bass response for its size without distortion
- Intuitive and responsive touch controls and voice assistant support
Cons
- The user experience is heavily tied to the Bang & Olufsen app
- It demands a significant investment, positioning it as a luxury item
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Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance Review: Hands-On Overview
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance is a premium wireless smart speaker designed to be the centerpiece of your home’s audio ecosystem. Its main purpose is to deliver a powerful, high-fidelity listening experience while serving as an object of art. Crafted in collaboration with Norwegian design studio Snøhetta, it features a core of natural oak or smoked oak, topped with a seamless knit fabric cover. It’s a device that feels as much at home in a modern art gallery as it does in a living room.
This product is designed for the discerning listener who refuses to compromise between aesthetics and performance. It’s for someone who views their technology as part of their home’s interior design and expects nothing less than exceptional audio clarity. Key specifications include a seven-driver setup powered by a 220-watt amplifier, full support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and Chromecast built-in for easy streaming from a vast array of apps. It also features Bluetooth 5.0 and Apple AirPlay 2, making it highly versatile regardless of your preferred ecosystem.
In my setup, the Balance integrated effortlessly. The initial process of connecting to Wi-Fi and linking my streaming services was straightforward through the Bang & Olufsen app. Its ability to work as part of a multi-room system with other Bang & Olufsen products is a significant advantage for those looking to build a whole-home audio setup over time. It’s a self-contained audio powerhouse that doesn’t need a separate subwoofer to impress.
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Key Features & Performance
Living with the Beosound Balance revealed how its features come together to create a cohesive and impressive user experience. It’s not just a list of specs; it’s how those specs perform in your daily routine that makes the difference.
Acoustic Architecture and Sound Performance
The heart of the Balance is its sophisticated seven-driver array. This includes a 5.25” woofer for the low end, two 2” full-range drivers for the mid frequencies, and four 1” tweeters to handle the highs. In my tests, this configuration resulted in a sound that is remarkably spacious and detailed. The soundstage is wide, making it easy to pinpoint individual instruments in a complex track. The bass is deep and punchy, yet it remains tight and controlled even at higher volumes, with no audible distortion. Compared to other mono speakers in its category, the Balance creates a more convincing stereo-like image, which is a significant achievement.
Design and Material Craftsmanship
This is where Bang & Olufsen truly separates itself. The Balance is a masterpiece of industrial design. The solid wood base provides incredible stability and a warm, organic feel. The transition to the seamless fabric grille is flawless. I found the touch-sensitive controls on the top to be responsive and intuitive—a simple swipe to adjust volume or a tap to play/pause. It’s a device that invites interaction and feels substantial and valuable to the touch. It doesn’t look like a speaker; it looks like a designer object that happens to produce incredible sound.
Smart Features and Connectivity
The Balance is equipped with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and both worked reliably during my testing. Voice pickup was accurate even with music playing at a moderate volume. Having Chromecast built-in is a major benefit, as it allows you to stream directly from hundreds of supported apps like Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube Music without needing to go through the B&O app first. The inclusion of Apple AirPlay 2 makes it equally welcoming for iPhone users. This multi-ecosystem approach means it genuinely fits into any smart home, without forcing you to choose a side.
Bang & Olufsen App and Room Adaptation
The companion app is your hub for deeper control, and it’s here you’ll find features like the Beosonic equalizer. This intuitive interface lets you shape the sound by dragging a point towards Bass, Bright, Warm, or Relaxed—a much more user-friendly approach than traditional sliders. The speaker also features built-in microphones for room adaptation. I tested this by moving the speaker from a corner to the center of a wall, and I could hear a subtle but noticeable recalibration of the sound to suit the new acoustics, ensuring optimal performance wherever you place it.
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Final Verdict
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance is an exceptional product that lives up to its promise of blending world-class design with top-tier audio performance. After my hands-on time, I can confidently recommend it to anyone for whom both sound quality and aesthetics are non-negotiable. It’s a speaker that performs brilliantly and enhances your space visually.
Pros
- The sound quality is breathtaking, offering clarity, detail, and a powerful, room-filling presence.
- The design is an artistic statement, crafted from premium materials that feel built to last a lifetime.
- Excellent connectivity with support for all major voice assistants and streaming protocols.
- Intuitive Beosonic sound control and effective room adaptation technology.
Cons
- To access all features and settings, you are required to use the Bang & Olufsen app.
- Its premium nature places it in a category that will be out of reach for many buyers.
You should buy the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance if you are an audiophile with an eye for design, looking for a single, stunning speaker that delivers a complete and immersive audio experience without the need for additional components. It’s perfect for someone building a luxury smart home ecosystem. You should consider other options if your primary concern is maximum features for the money, or if you prefer a more traditional, tech-centric look for your gadgets. The Balance is an investment in art and audio, and it delivers magnificently on both fronts.
What Customers Say About This Product
User feedback consistently highlights the transformative experience of owning the Beosound Balance. Here’s a summary of what fictional customers, representing common perspectives, have shared.
David R. “I was skeptical about the sound from a single speaker, but the Balance proved me wrong. The soundstage is so wide and immersive. It handles everything from classical to electronic music with ease. It’s the centerpiece of my living room now.”
Sophie L. “The design is what first drew me in, but the sound is what made me stay. It’s so easy on the eyes, and guests always comment on it. The fact that it sounds as good as it looks is the real win. The voice control works perfectly for my smart home.”
Marcus T. “The build quality is incredible—you can feel the quality in the wood and the fabric. Setup was a breeze with the app. My only small gripe is that I wish it had a physical input jack, but I stream everything anyway, so it’s not a dealbreaker.”
Anita P. “I use it for music all day while working from home. The sound is clear and never fatiguing. The room adaptation feature really works; it sounds great no matter where I move it in my office. It’s a luxury, but for me, it was worth it.”