Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A9 Unveiled!

Bang & Olufsen have announced their newest active speaker system, and that is the BeoPlay A9. It features a fine-tuned digital signal processor algorithm that will make your music even better and will deliver very realistic bass tones. It combines 5-speaker units and amplifiers into one design, that comes together as 2.1 bass reflex speaker. It also features wireless connectivity via DLNA, this will allow you to stream music very simply. Thus making a great listening experience just seconds away from connecting. You are probably asking yourself how do i control the speaker, and Bang & Olufsen has very innovative way to do this. Simply swipe your hand across the touch sensor on the speaker to raise or lower the volume and you can mute by placing your hand on top of it. This helps with letting the design of the speaker just fit in. Underneath the speaker itself you have a USB port, the main socket for power, and a dock that will let you charge the device. You can choose one of three different sound modes that are pre-set on the unit, this way you can get the best sound for your specific environment. You can either hang BeoPlay A9 on the wall or stand it on the floor. The speaker it self is a large circle, and while it is out there from a design point, I could see it fitting into almost any environment. If you want to put it on the floor you get the wooden legs, these come in your choice of teak, oak, or beech. The fabric cover it self comes in green, back, red, brown, white, and silver. The BeoPlay A9 will be available in the second half of November 2012 from B&O PLAY online store (store.beoplay.com), Band & Olufsen retail locations, and other select retailers. The BeoPlay A9 will cost approximately $2,699, for more information check out the gallery and press release below. Stay tuned for a full review of the BeoPlay A9 in the coming weeks.

Gallery

Press Release

B&O PLAY, by Bang & Olufsen, Announces the Launch of its Premium Active Speaker System, BeoPlay A9

Featuring a powerful, wireless sound experience, original design and unprecedented placement flexibility

Copenhagen/New York City – October 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ —B&O PLAY proudly announces the launch of its latest active speaker system, BeoPlay A9, which integrates an all-star line-up of dedicated components with provocative design to create a complete sound solution that is as easy to listen to as it is to decorate with. With the launch of BeoPlay A9, B&O PLAY extends its innovative range of wireless sound systems with the most powerful performer yet. BeoPlay A9 features a 2.1 bass reflex loudspeaker system that combines five dedicated speaker units and amps with timeless design to create a complete sound solution. BeoPlay A9 features a fine-tuned DSP(digital signal processor) algorithm that makes one’s music collection come alive and deliver surprisingly rich bass tones which are cultivated and cool with the patented Adaptive Bass Linearization technology.

In addition to its striking design and sound performance, BeoPlay A9 presents wireless connectivity and magically simple operation and it caters to individual listening needs as they change throughout the day or night. Just plug it in, connect it wirelessly to an iPhone, iPad or Android device, and BeoPlay A9 starts streaming via AirPlay or DLNA. The sound is big enough to fill even the most spacious room, (as it outputs 480 watts of power) and so lush that it rivals much more complex systems.

According to Henrik Taudorf Lorensen, VP at B&O PLAY, BeoPlay A9 is all about simplicity. “We asked Øivind Slaatto, a young designer who also has a strong interest in music, to create a design that is as free of visual noise as possible, and then had our engineers empower it with truly amazing sound. The result is a liberating take on acoustic performance with a cleanly graphic look that is intuitively easy to use.”

Turning the party dial up – or down – has never been easier. Swipe a hand across the touch sensor to control volume, or mute the system by simply resting a hand on top of it. Additionally, you can select tracks and adjust volume with your smartphone or tablet. The connection panel beneath the unit also includes a mains socket for power, line-in, and a USB socket that lets you soft dock and charge your device.

BeoPlay A9 packs two ¾-inch tweeters and two 3-inch midrange units, all four driven by separate 80-watt class D amplifiers, to deliver sparkling highs and spaciously defined middle tones. An imposing 8-inch bass unit, powered by no less than 160 watts from its own class D amplifier, lays down authoritative and tightly controlled oomph through the bass reflex construction hidden behind the unit. Three pre-set sound modes for wall, corner or freestanding positions optimize acoustic performance depending on how you choose to fit BeoPlay A9 into your home.

BeoPlay A9 is more than willing to both fit in and stand out in your décor, as it can be placed either on the floor or hung on the wall. Screw in the wooden legs to place it on the floor right where you need it, or use the wall bracket to add a circular canvass alongside the rest of the art in your home. You can even choose between a range of colors for the fabric cover, and change them in a snap.

Solid wood legs are available in oak, beech or teak. Fabric covers are available in silver, white, black, red, green and brown.

Prices begin at USD $2,699. BeoPlay A9 will be available at Bang & Olufsen stores, the B&O PLAY online store (store.beoplay.com), and select design stores in select markets from second half of November 2012.


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