The touchstrip also features an ambient light sensor for adjusting the illumination level of the control buttons, depending on the amount of light in the room. The only other physical control is a proper power switch next to the physical mic mute slider. It’s so good to see a wireless speaker with a power button. B&O’s companion app for the Beosound Level invites the user to choose between several EQ Listening Mode settings—including Energetic, Lounge, Party, and Night. You can also dial in a personalized EQ on an interesting virtual wheel of options that shifts the tonal balance between bright, bassed-out, and several points in between. After a lot of fooling around, I decided the default “Optimal” setting was the best.

Bang and Olufsen Beosound Level review: a premium

The sound produced by this classy wireless speaker is truly sublime. There’s a clarity in the midrange and a projection that makes it sound divine. The precision of the drivers, coupled with the solidity and weight of the aluminum chassis, provide a solid performance that’s both light and substantial at the same time There’s a richness that permeates from behind the speaker grille and fills the room with music that’s omnidirectional and fulsome but without ever distorting.The Beosound Level features discreet, soft-touch buttons seamlessly integrated into the aluminium frame. An integrated proximity sensor allows the control surface to appear only when needed and to gently dim after use. A light sensor ensures the right brightness at all time. The Beosound Level’s magnetic charging plug and power cable are color coordinated. Flies in the ointment Unlike most wireless speakers, B&O has designed the Beosound Level to have a user-replaceable ... [+] battery and an electronics module that can be completely replaced when wireless technologies evolve. B&O The battery is replaceable and can be swapped over by the user simply by removing the speaker grille. The grille is also replaceable and B&O says there will be optional covers available in a range of finishes in the future. It’s good to see a company providing a battery that can be easily replaced because no lithium-ion battery lasts forever. I don’t know of any other wireless speakers that have a user-replaceable battery.

Beosound Level | Portable Speaker | Holburn Online Beosound Level | Portable Speaker | Holburn Online

The Bang and Olufsen Beosound Level, with a charging fob showing the brand's name. (Image credit: Future) Bang and Olufsen Beosound Level review: Features Power Amplifiers: 2 x Class D at 30W for the woofer, 1 x Class D at 30W for the full range, 1 x Class D at 15W for tweeters Bang and Olufsen cites the Beosound Level as having a 16-hour battery life. Though, if you’re like us, you’ll just leave the thing plugged in rather than hunting around for a charging cable every 16 hours, especially since we noticed some battery drain issues when the speaker was off.As well as Google Chromecast and Apple Airplay, the Beosound Level has a Bluetooth receiver built-in for streaming audio without the need to log onto the wireless network. I did try using the Bluetooth connection as a speakerphone, but it wasn’t playing ball. I think the Beosound Level would look rather nice as a speakerphone on a desk as well as being used to play music. Maybe that’s a feature that could work with a future firmware update as the microphone is already there waiting to be used. The Beosound Level can be played horizontally or in an upright position. Its built-in lithium-ion ... [+] battery provides up to 16 hours of playtime. B&O