Design
Unlike some MP3 players we have encountered which trades in with a smaller size for the missing display, the BeoSound2 is a solidly built device which, while not too weighty (90g), does seem rather largish for a screen-less MP3 player.
Having not seen a cosmetic upgrade since its inception, it may not be fair to compare the BeoSound2 against the current crop of flash-based MP3 players; however, the largely metal body is a definite plus factor against the decidedly flimsy plastic affairs that most current flash-based MP3 players are. B&O claims the BeoSound2's body is designed to withstand heavy shocks.
Yet the shiny body though classy, is also very prone to fingerprint smudges, not to mention that its mirrored finish replicates the iPod in making scratches on its body all the more obvious. Our review unit looked very much like a war veteran with innumerable scars borne from having been manhandled previously.
As a general rule, docking stations rarely receive mention in our reviews because a) they are usually dour utilitarian affairs; and b) just not cool.
B&O obviously meant for its products to be admired at all times. The miniature oddly shaped (we could not quite put our finger on it) docking bay has a magnetic surface that adheres to the player with an additional clip to maintain the connection. The blinking LED ring light which outlines the circumference of the docking station changes from flashing red/green (charging) to green (track playback in progress) and to red (USB connection established), it's not terribly intuitive, but we got used to it after a while.
Features
For what you pay for it, the BeoSound2 is seriously lacking in the features department. Other than not having FM radio, recording or a Repeat function, this portable B&O does not even come with memory. With a nicely designed flap for SD cards to be slotted in, new users will have to factor in the price of a memory card beside the already prodigious price paid.
We like the fact that like the iPod, the BeoSound2 shuts off the music the moment it detects that the earphones have been detached from the player. It's a good inclusion given the fact that battery life is not this device's forte.
On the software side, our test of the provided BeoLink PC 2 and BeoPlayer programs, which are to be used in the transfer and management of music files, turned out to be an exercise in futile frustration.
Despite a very cool black veneer with the menus unobtrusively sliding out from both sides of the screen, the programs were a nightmare to navigate and an entire hour was spent to transfer just one track to the player. We think that GUI (graphical user interface) is simply not B&O's cup of tea and it should just stick to designing beautiful hardware. Thankfully, the BeoSound2 is recognisable on both Windows Media Player 10 and iTunes.
We are unfortunately not gifted with C-3PO's ability to make sense out of the seemingly random chirps and whistles of R2D2 (the two famous bots from Star Wars), but it seems B&O expects us to. Since there is no screen, the BeoSound2 feeds back to the user with a series of bleeps and even though some of it is detailed in the manual, it is still off-putting to decipher what the little B&O is trying to say in a noisy environment.
On first look, the button layout on the BeoSound2 is certainly chic, with raised button edges to make it easier to locate the irregularly shaped buttons. However, we find the layout to be counter-intuitive when put under use.
Traditionally, the left and right buttons are used for tracking skipping, but in this case, it is the two buttons on the immediate top and bottom of the centre Go button that are tasked with this function. And rather than tying the fast-forwarding of tracks to these same buttons, it is illogically attached to the left/right buttons. There is also a Hold function that works by holding down the left and right buttons together.
Performance
On our test tracks, the BeoSound2 befitted its audio pedigree by giving very clean sound despite us cranking up to maximum. In fact, this was sometimes too clean as the focus on the highs and mids left the bass neglected. Part of the reason is also that the supplied Bang & Olufsen A8 earphones (AU$235 if purchased separately) are of superior quality than most store-bought earbuds.
For the BeoSound2, we were quite unable to test battery life as there was no repeat function. Suffice to say, the manufacturer-claimed 8 hours is hardly in keeping with the current playback stamina of today's MP3 players.
Data transfer via USB1.1 was a dismally 0.22MB per second.
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coldconditions
15/04/2008, 05:58 PM
rating
6/10
My grandfather is really into B&o with a house full of it and recently purchasing HDR2, so i like B&o products. This product is good. If you can afford it, buy it, if not buy either Sony or Ipod.
Pros: Sound Quality
Memory Card BUT only store up to 2GB
Looks Great!!
Cons: Slightly Heavy
Price
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Batman
10/03/2008, 04:56 AM
rating
2/10
Sorry but I don't care how great the sound is, no mp3 player in the world is worth that much freaking money. Only brainless twits with too much money would want this abomination.
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Nick
04/10/2007, 05:00 PM
rating
10/10
The mp3 player is obviously out of date so instead I will review the headphones which can be bought separately, currently $215 in Aus.
It is true that the headphones fit comfortably and securely on the ears, enough to easily run with them without problems.
The truly amazing party is the sound quality though, no other headphones this size can even compare to the A8's, you can definately hear the limits of mp3 while using them, listening to a cd through the a8's is an amazing experience. Songs I listen to on my A8's simply sound in superior with other headphones thus I do not bother listening to music with any other headphones any more.
Pros: Amazing sound quality!
Secure and comfortable on ears.
Cons: If used for prolonged periods of time can begin to hurt.
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socal23
16/08/2006, 08:13 PM
rating
2/10
This thing sucks, 100%
I cannot get songs to take. A playlist will get half-way through, then nothing. I will load a shorter list, and only some songs will take. Putting two playlists on this player....good luck. The buttons suck and make no sense. Yes, the sound is great, and this is an exclusive product, but it sucks. I want my money back, but, hah, they won't give it to me. $900 down the drain...
Pros: Great sound, that is, when you can get it to work.
Cons: Horrible software suite. No display is very annoying. I'm not a bat, so don't send me sonar cues. The array of blinking/solid lights on the docking station are complete retardation. I should not have to refer to my owner's manual multiple times.
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Gary
23/02/2006, 03:46 AM
Never heard anything like it
Lacks features, who cares the sound tells the WHOLE story
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Batman2504
10/01/2006, 09:52 PM
This player is amazing
I don't know when the function of MP3 players became to include as many extraneous features as possible. This player is certainly expensive, but it provides immeasurably better sound quality than iPods, the battery life is fine for a few hours of commuting per day and furthermore I have only ever seen one other one, which is nice if not exaactly necessary. the point is that if you want the best sound quality then it will provide it in by far the most beautiful package on the market. If you want bells and whistles that everyone else and his dog enjoys, get an iPod. As for the display gripes, I have a simple solution - don't load music that you don't like onto your MP3 player.
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BANG
12/08/2005, 12:00 PM
BEST PLAYER.
If you kwnow what kind of products does B&O produce, you will expend 950 or more...
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meh
07/07/2005, 03:09 PM
damn expensive
it doesnt sound bad but.... ITZ $950 !! hu'd b stupid enuf 2 spend that much muni on a musiq playa
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