Announced on 5 October, 2012 came the BeoPlay A9 wireless speaker. Prices began at $2,699 US and the unit was available at Bang & Olufsen stores, the B&O PLAY online store, the Apple online store, and design stores in selected markets from the second half of November 2012.
Looking like a blown-up version of a single speaker in a BeoPlay A8, the 70 cm diameter satellite dish-shaped BeoPlay A9 features a monophonic 2.1 bass reflex wireless loudspeaker system which uses five dedicated speaker units and amplifiers to create a complete sound solution. Amplification electronics are hidden behind a cloth fret, which is available in a variety of colors (see description below). The base color of both the plastic back molding and cloth fret is white (delivered as standard). BeoPlay A9 features a fine-tuned DSP (digital signal processor) algorithm integrated with Adaptive Bass Linearisation technology for enhanced bass and music playback fidelity.
The BeoPlay A9 is designed by Denmark-based Øivind Alexander Slaatto.
BeoPlay A9 was updated in January 2015 to include Bluetooth 4.0 streaming, built-in access to Spotify Connect, Deezer and TuneIn (with its hundreds of Internet radio stations) as well as an improved magic-touch interface.
The new speaker system is both an AirPlay and DLNA receiver. It packs two 20mm tweeters and 75mm midrange units, all four driven by separate 80-watt class D ICEpower amplifiers. An 80mm bass unit, powered by 160 watts from its class D amplifier is hidden behind the group. Three pre-set sound modes for wall, corner, or free-standing positions optimize acoustic performance depending on where the BeoPlay A9 is positioned.
Lacking any noticeable physical controls, on the top edge of its backside, there’s both a status light and a power button, both separated by a long touch-sensitive strip which allows the user to adjust the volume, or mute the sound completely. Below that, a lift-off cap hides a USB port for docking and charging music devices and a 3.5mm jack (if wireless isn’t an option). This is where a power plug is installed too. The BeoPlay A9 can be supported by a trio of wooden legs and can also be wall-mounted or hung from a ceiling.
BeoPlay A9 is available in Black, brown, red, silver, green cloth fret (delivered with white as standard). Wooden tripod legs in teak, beech or oak. An all-black version with walnut legs was announced (yet again) on 2 April 2014. A previous all-black version was published December 2013 and subsequently deleted from the color range.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Sound Output
Power amplifiers: 1 x 160 watt class D for bass, 2 x 80 watt class D for midrange, 2 x 80 watt class D for treble
Driver units: 1 x 200mm woofer; 2 x 75mm midrange; 2 x20mm tweeters
Effective frequency range: 33.1 - 25.000 Hz
Cabinet principle: Bass-reflex
Room adaptation: Manual position switch, wall, corner and free standing
Connectivity
Network: Ethernet or wirelessly via WiFi:
· Apple AirPlay
· DLNA wireless streaming
Audio playback via line-in
USB iPod/iPhone/iPad connector (charging music gadget while playing music)
Remote support: Beo4 or Beo6 remote or via a digital device
On-device controls: move hand across the top sensor to increase or decrease volume; rest the hand on the top sensor for a few seconds to mute sound
Dimensions
Withstand (Diameter x-height x footprint) : 70.1 x 90.8 x 41.1 cm
On wall (Diameter x depth) : 70.1 x 21.3 cm
Weight : 14.7 kg (incl. legs); 14.0 kg (without legs)
Power consumption: Typical 19.5 W (Standby 0.4 W)
Manufactured in the Czech Republic
SPECIFICATIONS (as at January 2015)
Dimensions on stand (Diameter x-height x footprint): 70.1 x 90.8 x 14.5 cm
Dimensions on wall (diameter x depth): 70.1 x 21.3 cm
Weight
Power consumption
SOUND OUTPUT
Power amplifiers:
Driver units
Effective frequency range: 33.1 - 25.000 Hz
Cabinet principle: Bass-reflex
Room adaptation: Manual position switch, wall, corner and free standing
CONNECTIVITY
Wired connectivity
Ethernet or wirelessly via WiFi:
Wireless connectivity
Supported Streaming Services
On-device controls:
DESIGN & CUSTOMISATION
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