B&O Play's A2 Bluetooth speaker is now ruggedised

B&O Play has refreshed its quirky A2 Bluetooth speaker as the A2 Active. While the A2 Active shares the majority of its design with B&O Play's original, it's now splash and dust resistant. As such the original A2's carry leather straps have been replaced with NATO-inspired plastic-wrapped canvas, cause you know, water and leather don't play well together.

One other key change is a USB Type-C connector for charging. B&O says the A2 Active will give you 24 hours of playback time (at moderate volume levels), and that you'll need to allow three hours for a full recharge.

The A2 Active offers "True360" sound, which is said to ensure your music sounds the same, no matter what angle you've got the speaker at. While B&O is quite proud of its "signature sound", a companion app (available for iOS and Android) lets you customise the A2 Active's sound profile.

Weighing in at 1.1kg, the A2 Active is ostensibly B&O's midrange Bluetooth speaker, sitting between the more portable A1 and the somewhat larger Beolit 15.

The B&O Play A2 Active is available in a choice of two colours - natural or stone grey - and is on sale now for $599. Optional leather straps available at $54 for those who prefer the original speaker's look.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

Read full bio