BeoSound Explore is a total embarrassment for B&O

29 replies
Severed_hand_of_skywalker
Offline
Severed_hand_of_skywalker
Bronze
Posted September 1, 2021 at 17:22 GMT
#2158550

So firstly, I saw YouTube reviews of people comparing it against other speakers and they literally burst out laughing when the Explore played something.  

Then I read comments from B&O fans saying you have to use the app to change the levels etc which wasn't done in the review videos.

So I ended up ordering the explore last week as I love the design and size of it.

The second I played music on it I knew I made a mistake.  IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE.  Yes I used the app to change the levels which made very very little difference.

This speakers is totally lacking in not only base but mids as well. I listed to 80's pop music which isn't bass heavy and the music still sounded like it was missing half the instruments.

Then I tried more modern music with bass and its pointless.  No punch, not even the least amount of bass.

I am not the type of person who loves tons of un-natural bass like from Beats products but the explore has literally zero bass and terrible mids.

There is going to be the group that defends it saying "B&O products offer balanced sound and is very natural" but this is NOT the case for the explore. I DARE anyone who defends the explore to do a blind sound test. When you aren't influenced by the design and the name you will agree the explore is failure.

The performance MIGHT be defendable but not for this price.  It is $299 CAN which is ridiculous for a tiny bluetooth speaker.

Design:

Awesome. I love the design of this thing. Its solid and well built.

Features:

Bad for this price point. Literally bluetooth and nothing else.

Battery:

Not great. They advertise "up to 27 hour battery". What they don't tell you is that if you have the volume at 80% or higher the battery is about 3 hours. This speaker is so wimpy you HAVE to turn it up to 80% if you want to hear anything outside. Very very misleading.

Sound:

As mentioned above incredibly unimpressive.

Price:

A joke. $299 for a terrible sounding bluetooth only speaker with a nice design

 

Here are things that sound better than the explore and are cheaper:

Sonos Roam: $230 CAN

Has Wifi, Bluetooth, airplay 2, chromcast and built in streaming services. Oh and quite a punch to it.

AirPods Pro:

Sounds absolutely amazing compared to the explore.

2014 iMac

Yes even the tiny speakers on this computer sound better than the explore.

Google Nest devices:

Even these cheap devices speakers sound better than the explore for $50-80

Its products like this that make me question the brand.  I get its a small speaker and can't have as much punch but there are other products on the market that disprove that. B&O is supposed to be sound quality and design, the explore is pure design only.

I am returning it needless to say and I highly suggest anyone stay away from it.

 

 

 

Location: Toronto, Canada

OL
Offline
olivierc
Bronze
Posted September 1, 2021 at 20:32 GMT
#2158551
Wow! What a review!

Ok, let’s try to save our mates at B&O. 🙂

What about switching from the Explore to the A1 2nd Gen.?

It’s 50 CAD more and a little less rugged but would it be a contender?

Olivier

My B&O Icons:

Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beosound.png Beosound.png
Beoplay-V1.png Beoplay-V1.png
Beoplay-S3.png Beoplay-S3.png
Beoplay-A1.png Beoplay-A1.png
D(
Offline
donnghia (archived2)
Bronze
Posted September 1, 2021 at 21:00 GMT
#2158552

Wait...isnt the explorer only 199? Why he said it is 299? So it is more expensive than A1 gen 2?

D(
Offline
donnghia (archived2)
Bronze
Posted September 1, 2021 at 21:00 GMT
#2158553

Wait...isnt the explorer only 199? Why he said it is 299? So it is more expensive than A1 gen 2?

Daniel
Offline
Daniel
BronzeFounder
Posted September 1, 2021 at 22:03 GMT
#2158554
I don’t agree. We love our Beosound Explore!

It’s one of the most used B&O in our family. It’s perfect as a speaker for the beach, the spa, garden work, bicycle ride etc. We have no complaints about the performance. We don’t expect it to be a party machine. And the battery life is amazing. The kids never care to charge it, so I always expect the battery to be empty when I will use it but it’s no problem. It just keep running.
Severed_hand_of_skywalker
Offline
Severed_hand_of_skywalker
Bronze
Posted September 1, 2021 at 22:17 GMT
#2158555

Do you have anything to compare it to? if you did you might change your mind.  But I guess $299 kids speaker works for someone.

Location: Toronto, Canada

T.W.G
Offline
T.W.G
Gold
Posted September 2, 2021 at 07:41 GMT
#2158556

Rule No.1: Listen and judge with your own ears. ;-)

 

I compared the Beosound Explore with the Beosound / Beoplay A1 (1st gen).

I agree that it is noticable inferior to an A1, especially the bass is weak. Keep in mind that the bass of such tiny speakers will vary depending on the positioning (corner, free on a desk, in a shelf, outdoors...).
BUT I wouldn't say that the Beosound Explore sounds bad per se. It sounds different and has a warmer / mid range centered sound signature - at least to my ears.
If you put it on a desk in front of you (e.g. while working in the office) it has a surprisingly wide sound stage for such a small can and what's a very big PRO for the Explore: It doesn't sound exhausting. I can listen to it for a longer period with background music than on an A1. The A1 delivers too much sometimes.
The highs and lows aren't as good as on an A1. it is something like an upgraded P2, so don't rise your expectations too high when buying one.


The Beosound Explore looks and feels great! The first contact says "I'm premium" and it's lovely to hold and to touch. The buttons are WAY better than on the Beosound / Beoplay A1 and for me personally the design of the Explore is way better, too.

I like the Beosound Explore and it's - as Daniel already mentioned - a very good option if you have children. Listening to childs music and tales while showering or taking a bath without being worried that the speaker will be damaged by water is great!

Listen and judge for yourself and I hope the Explore will be available in multiple colors! :-)

MB
Offline
Mbee
Bronze
Posted September 2, 2021 at 08:34 GMT
#2158557

I've made the same conclusion after my complete review : I don't understand why B&O made the Explore because it's a lot under the A1 sonically for just $50 less. At first I thought "ok, it's because it's waterproff", and then I realized that the A1 is also waterproof. So just go for the A1.

Daniel
Offline
Daniel
BronzeFounder
Posted September 2, 2021 at 10:17 GMT
#2158558
Severed_Hand_of_Skywalker wrote:

Do you have anything to compare it to? if you did you might change your mind. But I guess $299 kids speaker works for someone.

--

BeoLab 18's. Beolab 3's. A8. A9. A2. H7.

I compare with my Beoplay A2, which has a bigger sound, but the Explore is more versatile. By the way, I bought the long strap for the A2 and it’s now more easy to bring along.

Where did you pay 299 $ for the Explore?

J(
Offline
Jan.H (archived2)
Bronze
Posted September 2, 2021 at 11:53 GMT
#2158559

Loved my A1 till it freaked out and was unrepairable ! Or at least not below the price of a discount P6 wich i liked even more !

I take my P6 everywhere from Borneo till the garden :) Thanks for the review i now know it's P6 staying as the travel companion.

 

 

 

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