Sonos Move 2 review: Two-minute review

The Sonos Move 2 is the new big, portable speaker from Sonos, designed to be a home speaker than you can just grab and take with you when you feel like it.

The Sonos Move 2 is much bigger and heavier than most of the best Bluetooth speakers, but it packs in a lot more audio tech and battery life than those do – it can last 24 hours (and this holds up in my testing). The downside is that all of this tech comes at a seriously high price of $449 / £449 / AU$799.

The Sonos Move 2 does everything it's supposed to extremely well. It sounds great, with depth, poise and detail to please picky listeners, as well as being fun and loud enough for parties. Its loudness is part of its advantage – where other portable speakers top out and lose control, the Move 2 has tons of headroom.

Given that a mix of Bluetooth and Sonos Wi-Fi connectivity are now also offered by other Sonos speakers – particularly the Sonos Era 100, which sounds the same but is nearly half the price – the new Move 2 has a harder time justifying its price than its predecessor did. If you want the particular mix of power and practicality that it delivers, and you have the budget, then I totally recommend it. It's classy, reliable and flexible.

But for anyone more budget conscious or who doesn't need every feature it offers, you might be better off saving cash and looking at the stationary Sonos Era 100, the cheaper-but-weaker-sounding Sonos Roam, or the less-functional-but-excellent-sounding Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2.

Sonos Move 2 review: Price and release date

• Released on September 20, 2023
• Officially priced at $449 / £449 / AU$799

Released in September 2023, the Sonos Move 2 arrives to a world densely populated by portable speakers, and mostly at a far, far lower price than its $449 / £449 / AU$799 fee. Sonos products don't tend to get much in the way of lifetime discounts either (though the company at least takes part in sales periods more than it used to, these days).

Sonos has always been a premium brand, and the Sonos Move 2 is nearly premium as portable speakers get, with only a few competitors, such as the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5, daring to go any higher than this.

Sonos has a more affordable alternative, of course, in the form of the Sonos Roam, which is priced (and sized) closer to what people think of from Bluetooth speakers. So the Move 2 is for people who don't want to compromise on the relatively compressed sound of the Roam.

However, it's worth noting that you can get something like the large and truly impressive-sounding Tribit Stormbox Blast for half the price of the Move 2. It's pricey even by hefty speaker standards.

Sonos Move 2 review: Specs

Sonos Move 2 review: Features

• Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, plus optional line-in
• 24-hour battery life holds up in tests
• Touch controls on top work great

The Sonos Move 2 features both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options for connectivity, just as its predecessor did. Unlike its predecessor, though, this is now a much more common option in Sonos' lineup. Not only do the Move 2 and Roam offer this, but also the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300. 

Also like the Era 100 and Era 300, it has a USB-C port that functions as a line-in (including for a 3.5mm jack, if you have Sonos' adapter), and a new arrangement of touch controls on top, including a recessed bar for volume that makes it easy to find. Play/pause and track skipping buttons are here too, along with an indicator for the voice control system – again, a feature it shares with the other speakers, including both Alexa and Sonos Voice Control options.

And just like the Era 100, the Move 2 has a three-driver speaker system, with two angled tweeters pointing left and right (to create stereo, Sonos claims), and one central mid-woofer. It means that more than ever, the distinction between the Move 2 and its closest sibling sonically, the Era 100 in this case, is the battery and tough build.

The battery life Sonos is claiming here is 24 hours, which is double what the original Sonos Move offered, and in my experience, it hits that – at least, with the volume not turned up too high. I found that it lost an average of about 4% per hour with the volume at around 25% playing over Wi-Fi (AirPlay 2), which is easily loud enough to enjoy music while I write this review at my desk. When you have it outside, odds are you'll have it a higher level than this, but I didn't find that the battery drain drastically rose.

I also found that it lost around 20% battery when left for 24 hours. It does have a sleep mode, which it should enter automatically when left alone, that effectively arrests battery drop. Although you can't wake it up from sleep mode remotely, you need to press the power button on the back to kick it back to life. One bonus of the battery this time is that you can charge your phone from it by plugging into the USB-C port. You don't have to do much – just plug it in, and if it doesn't immediately start charging, hit the power button on the back.

As with all Sonos systems, setting it up is easy. The Sonos app will detect it immediately, quickly run through the process of adding it to your Wi-Fi and your Sonos home network, as well as updating it with new software.

You can also enable Auto TruePlay here, which will adjust the sound automatically to your environment, updating every few minutes because the speaker constantly monitors itself. Sonos has told me that this is less effective than the full Trueplay or the Quick Tune option on its newer speakers. I'm not sure it's doing much transformative here, but it's better than nothing. There is also the option of using two Move 2 speakers for a more convincing stereo system, though I don't expect this to be a wildly popular option at this price.

You can set the voice control options from the app, either enabling Amazon Alexa or Sonos Voice Control, which offers pretty much only the ability to select and play music, but with no cloud computing, so it may be preferable for the privacy-minded. A switch on the back disables the mic completely, if you prefer. On the back at the bottom, you'll also find the USB-C port.

Bluetooth pairing is also turned on and off using a button on the back, which you hold briefly. It immediately appeared as an option on my devices after that. You can use the Bluetooth connection or the optional line-in (a separate 3.5mm-to-USB-C adapter can be bought) to connect to the Move 2, and then broadcast that sound around to other Sonos speakers. So, I was able to connect the Move 2 to a Bluetooth source and use the Sonos app to beam that sound to my Sonos Arc. It worked totally seamlessly, through the System view of the Sonos app – hit the square "broadcast" icon by the Move 2 to choose other Sonos speakers to send the audio to.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Sonos Move 2 review: Sound quality

• Excellent balance and great detail
• No difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
• Not really stereo sound

Let's get one quick thing out of the way: I couldn't make out any clear difference in sound quality between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (via Apple AirPlay 2 or from the Sonos app directly) on the Sonos Move 2. So any judgment of the sound applies equally to all sources.

It may not shock Sonos regulars to know that the Move 2 sounds great. It's capable of great depth at the low end in a way that makes use of its size and weight – a bass line can thrum and vibrate with richness without ever feeling like it's getting loose, while drums hit tightly and sharply. 

Big bass is still fairly common in portable speakers though (partly because low-end frequencies lose volume quickly and are easily disrupted by reflections/wind), but it can often feel overblown: the trick to the Sonos Move 2 is that that it's balanced so expertly, as is usual with Sonos gear. The bass carries well outside, but indoors it still says in line with with the mid-range and treble.

In the mid-range, instruments have enough room to express themselves, and it certainly doesn't feel like a small soundstage – it diffuses nicely while still having the specificity of particular voices or tones. I think it struggles most for clarity here in particular dense tracks. You can also get slightly better precision from something like the HomePod 2, or certainly from the Sonos Era 300 – both of which are the same price or cheaper, but also aren't portable. It doesn't handle things badly at all, I just noticed its limits here.

In treble, it's again crisp and in total control. Little high-end details lift out of the mid-range with no confusion, and again it feels suitable expansive and carries well across the room.

As with the Era 100 and its extremely similar speaker arrangement, I don't think I can really say that it lives up to Sonos' claims of producing stereo sound. If you are sitting directly facing it at an optimal distance, yes, in tracks with major separation, you'll be able to hear it. But that's not really how the Sonos Move is used; when it's outside or across the room, it won't really matter. But I think the angled drivers do help with the wide soundstage, and that's very welcome in a speaker like this.

The question about the Move 2 isn't really whether it sounds good. It really does. It's whether it sounds good enough for the price, which is undoubtedly high. Its sound is incredibly close to the Sonos Era 100 (I compared them directly), as you might expect given their similar audio setups, but you can buy two Era 100s for essentially the same price as one Sonos Move.

I also compared it directly to my favorite Bluetooth speaker, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2. This is another one that's regularly available for half the price of the Move 2, and though it lacks some of the features (no Wi-Fi, 18 hours of battery life), I was surprised at how close in sound quality they were. The B&O has always impressed me with its balance, and although the bass isn't quite as impactful, and the mid-range is a little less expressive, the different in general music enjoyment between them was slim.

However, the difference in volume headroom was huge. The Move 2 was able to hit the same loudness at 25-30% that the B&O was hitting at 50%. There's simply more headroom from the much larger machine.

• Sound quality: 4.5/5

Sonos Move 2 review: Design

• Great-feeling build and materials
• Sleek design that looks good as a home speaker
• A real handle would probably be better

The Sonos Move 2 looks incredibly like the original Move, but with a new finish to the plastic, a slightly different curve to its edges, and a new-look top panel – all in line with Sonos' new design language, introduced with the Era 100 and Era 300 speakers. Following this, the black finish is a little different, and in addition to black or white, there's a new Olive color, which is what I had, and I think it's an excellent shade. Neutral without being boring; fashionable but not flashy.

And it doesn't just look like the original, either; it's essentially the same dimensions and weight. Compared to a truly portable speaker, such as a JBL Flip 6 or Sonos' own Roam, it's damn big, there's no question. The 6.6 lb / 3kg weight also pushes the definition of portable a little, depending on what you want to do with it. It's too much to add to a pack for a hike, but carrying it to my garden while I worked on weeding it was no hardship. But then, I'm also a young-ish guy with no physical ailments. I'm not sure my mother would carry it to her tomatoes when she tends to them at this weight, which she might with a lighter speaker.

A factor in the weight is how you carry it. The recessed section in the back is perfectly fine to grip for me, and feels rock solid as a way to carry it – but it means the weight is unbalanced, so again, if someone has any grip or strength issues, they may struggle with it. Having this "invisible" handle makes the Move 2 look good in the home when not in use, but for sheer practicality, a standard over-the-top carry handle would probably be more useful for more people.

The charging dock is the only part that doesn't feel quite as meticulously engineered as the rest. It's not that there's anything wrong with it as such, it's just thin and light. I also found myself nudging it when re-seating the Move 2 for charging, and then having to double-check it was definitely in there right, because it doesn't have the satisfying and secure fit you get when putting something like AirPods Pro 2 back in their charging case.

The speaker is IP56 rated, meaning that it can take being sprayed, and lightly submerged, as well as being able to protect against a fair amount of dust or sand. You'll find that a lot of the best waterproof speakers can best this, but it's fine for what the Move 2 is really designed for – it'll take being rained on if you leave it outside, or sprayed by the kids accidentally.

• Design score: 4/5

Sonos Move 2 review: Value

• It's expensive compared to other Sonos speakers
• But it offers a unique flexibility and audio quality combination
• Ultimately worth it, if you need what it offers

I touched on this topic at the end of the sound quality section, but the issue with the value of the Sonos Move 2 is really what you can get instead. You get a Sonos Era 300, which sounds noticeable better. Or two Sonos Era 100 units, which might mean you don't need the portability. Or one Era 100 and one Sonos Roam, giving you portability and power in separate units.

However, I don't think the Move 2 is bad value, because of the particular mix of stuff it's offering. The battery life is really long compared to other portable speakers, the sound quality is so enjoyable, and it's so flexible with its combo of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (and the ability to beam Bluetooth sound to other Sonos devices).

So if you want the Move 2, you have to want what it offers in particular. This particular mix of high-quality sound, long battery life and connectivity options, and you're happy not to compromise on budget to get it.

Taken as a whole, the Move 2 is not bad value, but I definitely won't be enthusing about what a bargain it is.

• Value score: 3/5

Should I buy the Sonos Move 2?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Sonos Move 2 review: Also consider

How I tested the Sonos Move 2

• Tested for over a week
• Tested at home and in my yard
• Used primarily with Apple Music, but also podcasts

I tested the Sonos Move 2 for over a week at my home, using it as my main source of music during that time – while working from home at my desk, indoors at a lower volume; and while working on my garden, with the volume turned up higher to overcome the sounds of the neighborhood.

I mainly used it with Apple Music, tested over Bluetooth, over AirPlay 2, and using the Sonos app at different times, to make sure there were no audio quality differences. I also listened to podcasts on it a little.

I compared it to the Sonos Era 100 directly in a head-to-head test, as well as the B&O Beosound A1 Gen 2. I also had the Sonos Era 300 and Apple HomePod 2 available, so I listened to those for more value comparisons.

• First reviewed: September 2023
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Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2: Two-minute review

The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is the latest version of the American audio brand’s Crusher series of headphones. The company says this new model takes the bass response loved by many from the predecessor and adds active noise cancellation (ANC). This is my first foray into the Crusher series, so I don’t have the luxury of having used the previous model, but the prospect of bass, plus noise cancellation, meant I simply couldn’t turn down the opportunity to have a listen.  

I have used Skullcandy headphones before, but when I was a wee youngster. They were affordable, came in an array of funky colors and produced what I believed at the time to be great sound. Fast forward to today and Skullcandy continues to offer those fun and funky designs, alongside a more premium offering, the likes of which see it sit with the heavyweights of the headphone world – in terms of both price and features – such as Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and Apple.

These established brands have a slight stronghold on the market and the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 sets out to disrupt this. And based on my listening, I think it gives it a very good crack indeed. If you’re in the market for a new set of cans and you’ve felt let down by bass reproduction on models you’ve auditioned thus far, then you need to give the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 a listen. 

Upon first listen to Skullcandy’s latest, I found myself literally saying “wow” out loud, due to the bass served up being so deep it quite literally shook my skull. I’d even go as far as describing it as having London’s Printworks nightclub strapped to your head. If your primary music tastes revolve around low bass beats, then you absolutely need to hear them. If they don’t, however, you might want to tread with caution, as the bass on offer does take center stage and can overshadow the rest of the frequencies if you turn it up to the maximum level. But thanks to an easily accessible control wheel, you can adjust said bass levels in an instant, and just give your tracks a bit of extra low-end oomph. 

The Crusher ANC 2 is a handsome pair of headphones and I fully welcome the inclusion of numerous physical buttons to control various aspects of playback compared to touch and gesture controls found on most other premium models. The orange power button is a stylish subtle touch on a matte black finish. Whilst the band is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, it's sleek and premium-looking. 

Battery life is almost unrivalled too, at a claimed 50 hours with ANC turned on. Only the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless spring to mind as bettering them with a 60-hour figure. 

Noise cancellation isn’t class-leading, as I was able to hear chatter around me in the office on occasion. I have experienced similar issues with other noise-cancelling headphones, however, and personally find in-ear headphones such as the AirPods Pro 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II to be far more effective. 

These features, coupled with the performance, do indeed justify the price tag in my opinion, but this is also its Achilles’ heel. At the time of writing, for the same or similar money (depending on your market) you can pick up the Sony WH-1000XM4, a pair that still tops our best noise-cancelling headphones and best headphones lists, despite being succeeded by a newer model. For outright sonic reproduction, Sony takes the crown. But if you want a pair of headphones that is fun, a bit different and that will give you the same wow-inducing experience as me, then you need to give the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 an audition. 

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review: Price and availability

Skullcandy announced the Crusher ANC 2 headphones on August 1, 2023. They’re available globally with pricing set at $229.99 / £199.99 / AU$399.95. In the US at least, the Crusher ANC 2 undercut the Sony XM4 by some margin, but in the UK and Australia, they’re pitted squarely against each other. 

You can only get them in one color: black. It would have been nice to see a silver or off-white model too, given the popularity of these colors on some of the competition. 

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review: Specifications

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review: Features

• Crusher bass control
• Personalized sound
• Skull iQ voice control

Skullcandy has thrown so much into the Crusher ANC 2 that I was disappointed to not see a kitchen sink mentioned in the specs list. The headline feature here is the Crusher adjustable bass, which lets you cycle through 10 levels of increasing bass response. The more you increase it, the more you will start to physically feel the earcups vibrate against your head. You can turn the feature off entirely if you wish. 

ANC is the other headline feature here, and the main one that has warranted the upgrade over the original Crusher headphones. Unfortunately, this isn’t the best execution of the technology that I’ve heard. External sounds do get blocked out, but not as effectively as I’ve experienced with other pairs of headphones. 

While I was writing this paragraph, for example, I was at home in the living room whilst my housemate was in the kitchen. I couldn’t hear every single thing he was doing or him talking to me, but I could hear rustles of packets, clinks of spoons and cupboard doors shutting. Turning the volume up helped to drown these out more, but I would’ve liked the ANC capabilities to have been good enough to not require this. 

Through a partnership with Mimi Hearing Technologies (an audio processing startup), you are able to personalize the overall sound profile of the headphones too, by taking a hearing test found in the companion Skull-iQ app. It was pleasing to find you can easily toggle between sound profiles before and after the test to hear your results. In my case, there was a genuine difference, with the soundstage sounding more open and having greater depth. The ‘before’ sound was much flatter in comparison.

You also get multipoint connectivity with support for up to two devices thanks to Bluetooth 5.2. Tile (the Bluetooth tracker) finding technology is built in, so if you ever mislay the headphones, you can reunite yourselves using the Tile app. The companion Skull-iQ app for iOS and Android allows you to assign and reassign functions to each button – some can support multiple functions depending on how many times you press them. For example, Spotify Tap lets you start playing your most recent Spotify tracks at the press of a button and you even carry out the majority of playback features using your voice. 

The only feature I feel is missing is wear detection, which would pause playback when you take the headphones off your head. But since pausing playback can be done at the press of a button, this isn’t a dealbreaker. 

• Features score: 4/5

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review: Design

• Physical buttons to control virtually all aspects of playback
• Comfortable despite being heavier than competition
• Premium look and feel

Over-ear headphones, by and large, opt for safe and sophisticated design, with the only slight injection of personality coming in the form of subtle accents. Sony headphones, for example, employ little touches of rose gold and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 see the earcups moving up and down a singular headband. The general consensus surrounding the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is that they’re a little bland. 

Skullcandy has gone down the subtle accent route with the Crusher ANC 2. At first glance, it is just another pair of black headphones. But the orange power button and textured section in the middle of the headband do enough in my opinion to deem them different. I’m not sure how many people spend time feeling their headphones, but the Crusher ANC 2 is silky smooth on the earcups and that middle headband section introduces a bit of roughness. These little touches only add to the appeal in my opinion, as it's clear the designers actually considered the final product and didn’t follow the rest of the crowd. 

At 332g, you may initially think the Crusher ANC 2 could do with going on a diet, as it’s one of the heavier pairs of headphones in the premium space. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 comes in at 293g, Bose 700s 252g and the Sony WH-1000XM5 is practically a feather at 249g. But Skullcandy has handled weight distribution beautifully, as I didn’t notice the extra weight all that much. 

Sure, it’s there, but not to the point where they feel like they’re physically pushing your head down. The padding in the center of the headband is incredibly plush and does a great job of absorbing the weight, while the cushioning around the earcups does an equally impressive job of making them feel snug, without feeling like they’re crushing your ears. 

I have found other pairs of over-ear headphones to be uncomfortable in the past. Either the earcups would press into my head too much, or the pressure of the headband would become unbearable. I have yet to find similar issues in the Crusher ANC 2 and feel I could easily wear them for longer listening sessions. 

That could include a long-haul flight and you’ll be pleased to know that Skullcandy has made the Crusher ANC 2 travel-friendly by employing a folding design. Where some competitor pairs now favor a simple swivel design for the earcups, the Crusher can be folded up neatly – there are subtle hinges on the band just above each earcup – and placed either in the supplied case or, if space is really tight in your bag, they can find a home in a smaller space. 

There are separate physical buttons on the right earcup to increase and decrease volume and play/pause/answer calls. They’re easy to identify without looking, since the central play/pause button is concave and the other two each have a unique protrusion to feel. A toggle switch is also on the right earcup to turn ANC on or off. On the left is the aforementioned orange power button, and the Crusher bass control wheel. The wheel can also be pressed in to carry out any command you choose within the app. 

Wired listening is possible – a 3.5mm cable is included – via an aux-in on the left earcup, which sits next to the USB-C charging port.

• Design score: 5 / 5

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review: Sound quality

• Crusher bass works well for dance tracks, can give others a low-end push
• Flaws to be found in other genres

A pair of headphones could be the most well-designed and feature-packed ever, but if they don’t sound good, then they’re essentially made redundant. Fortunately, that isn’t the case for the Crusher ANC 2. The majority of the music I listen to is of a dance and deep house persuasion, so the ramped up bass is something I knew I was going to enjoy and they didn’t disappoint. But even I can freely admit that turning the Crusher wheel all the way to 10 is overkill. 

Yes, it’s impressive and the insane vibrations do make you go “ooft”, but for when you actually want to listen to your music, I found anywhere between level two to five – at a maximum – did enough to improve my enjoyment. Music played when the bass is increased gains extra energy and rhythm, and I found myself dancing around my living room as if I were at a silent disco. 

Don’t let the focus on bass put you off if you listen to other genres though, as the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 handles them well. I loaded up Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill and the iconic drum beat intro benefits from the extra low-end push in my opinion. I expected her vocals to be drowned out by the bass beneath, but was pleasantly surprised to find they still shone through with clarity. I would say outright precision and organization is sacrificed a little compared to the class-leading competition, but not to the point where the performance sounded like it was tripping over itself. 

Slow things down with a more vocal-orientated ballad such as Billie Eilish’s WhenThe Party’s Over and it becomes clearer that the Skullcandy pair isn’t quite an all-rounder. I listened to the track side-by-side on the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 and an older pair of Sony WH-1000XM3 (the predecessor to the five-star XM4, which have now been succeeded by the new XM5) and from the opening word of ‘Don’t’ the Sony pair had far greater impact, with Billie’s voice being the clear standout of the whole arrangement. Indeed, for a more detailed listen you will want to opt for a pair from the industry heavyweights.

When listening through the Skullcandys and the Crusher level set to zero, Billie’s voice is still clear, but not to the same extent. The best analogy that comes to mind is that her vocal sounds recessed into the backing track, whereas on the Sony pair it protrudes beyond it, sounding more direct and giving a sense of dimension and layering to the soundstage. The Sony pair also proves to be more dynamically adept as the song progresses, able to track the rising and falling of instruments and vocal lilts.

The Crusher ANC 2 offers an entertaining listen in its own right and delivers a surprisingly impressive amount of low-end punch that’s rare to find in headphones of this price. But a relative lack of detail and dynamic expression does mean it can’t rub shoulders with the best-in-class competition. 

• Sound quality score: 4 / 5

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review: Battery life

Battery life can often be the chink in the armor of the best noise-cancelling headphones, but fortunately for the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2, I have very few criticisms. The company claims you’ll get 50 hours of playback time with ANC turned on, and I’m inclined to believe it. 

I’ve been using the headphones for a couple of weeks now, on and off, and have only managed to get the battery down to 70%. If you turn ANC off, battery life is claimed to increase to 60 hours. If you do want your pair to last as long as possible between charges, I would recommend doing this, as I couldn’t hear much of a difference when toggling ANC on and off. 

If you do manage to finally empty the battery, plugging it into USB-C power will get you four hours of playback from just 10 minutes of charging. I have yet to discover how long a full charge takes as I’ve haven't been unable to drain the battery completely. 

• Battery life score: 5 / 5

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review: Value

• More affordable than the competition with little sacrifice
• Bass fans have their prayers answered
• Competition are better all-rounders

While it is true that the competition in this premium headphone space do offer better all-round packages, a quick glance at our comparison table further down shows the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 are the cheaper pair by some margin. To some, this saving in cost could outweigh the sacrifices that need to be made. 

No, the ANC performance isn't class-leading, but it's not as though it doesn't block out any external sound at all. There is greater insight to be gained from other pairs, too, but the sound produced by the Crusher ANC 2 is still perfectly listenable. And, where some customers of other pairs may have said they wish there was more bass, with the Crusher ANC 2, there is no such criticism to make. 

For me, the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 is a fun pair of headphones that doesn't appear to take itself too seriously. It delivers a competent performance – one that did pleasantly surprise me, I'll be honest – and does enough to at least warrant a listen. 

• Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 review: Also consider

How I tested the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2

• Tested for two weeks, listened against the Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones
• Used in the office, at home and in public (train platforms, busy streets)
• Listened to Apple Lossless tracks via Apple Music

The pair of Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 headphones sent to me for review was a brand new set, so I allowed them to run-in for around 48 hours before starting to make any notes and observations. 

Once run in, I listened to Apple Lossless music tracks via Apple Music on both my iPhone and my MacBook Air. I listened for extended periods of time during each week to test out the battery life claims. Following my two week review period, I'd only managed to get the battery down to 66 percent. 

I wore the Crusher ANC 2 headphones in various locations to test out the active noise cancellation capabilities, these included in the office where there is regular chatter; on train platforms where trains regularly pull in; and on busy streets when walking around near my home. 

To test out the audio capabilities, I listened to a variety of music genres, from dance and house music, to more melancholy ballads and even some death metal. 

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed August 2023]

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5: Two-Minute Review

If you like your wireless Bluetooth speakers to go loud, offer a raft of genuinely useful features, and to masquerade as a picnic basket, then the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 is for you. OK, maybe the picnic basket looks are a little niche but, despite that, B&O’s latest good-looking music maker is quite possibly the best Bluetooth speaker I’ve ever heard. 

It’s not cheap, I’ll admit, but take just one listen – hey, even one look could be enough, it’s so beautiful – and you’ll soon understand where your money is going. The Danish audio maestros at Bang & Olufsen have concocted a simply sublime speaker here, one that will take pride of place in your home. 

The Beosound A5 is so accomplished in its audio delivery, I was able to hide it away – on a side table alongside a pot plant – and was treated to an audio performance with such scale and power that I found myself questioning not only where the sound was coming from, but also how it was able to so easily fill the room, considering its relatively small size. It’s all made possible by the Beosound A5’s “Omni” sound, which is 360º sound to me and you – more on that later.

Connectivity options are strong, with the aforementioned Bluetooth (version 5.3), Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast. Music streaming services including Spotify, Tidal and Deezer can also connect via Wi-Fi and, should you already own other speakers bearing the B&O name, you can integrate the Beosound A5 into a multi-room system.

Perhaps what is the Beosound A5’s pièce de résistance, however, is the fact you’re able to take it on-the-move with you. One would expect that a speaker capable of the levels of power on offer here would need to be tethered to a wall socket at all times. Indeed, its closest competitors in terms of audio performance (here’s looking at you, Sonos Era 300) do require constant mains power. But B&O has managed to integrate a rechargeable battery that is good for up to 12 hours on a single charge, which puts it more in the firing line of the Sonos Move. Sonos’ portable powerhouse costs around half of what B&O asks for the Beosound A5, which only serves to highlight how considerable of an investment this speaker is.

Whilst the designers will tell you legacy products such as the Beolit series of radios influenced the styling choices of the A5, there’s no denying that it looks like a picnic basket. And thanks to battery power, you can take said picnic basket to an actual outdoor picnic. 

It’s an incredibly accomplished speaker, then, but there’s no getting around the fact it is expensive. In fact, the word ‘very’ wouldn’t look out of place in that sentence. But the Beosound A5 is also perhaps the best wireless speaker to come off Bang & Olufsen’s production line. Ever. And to some, owning the product with that title – not to mention the bragging rights that come with the name – could be priceless. 

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 review: Price and availability

• Released on April 27, 2023
• Priced from $1,099 / £899 / AU$1,650
• Extra cost for Dark Oak model

Bang & Olufsen launched the Beosound A5 Bluetooth speaker on April 27, 2023 in two color options: Nordic Weave (natural aluminum with a woven paper fiber front and light oak handle) and Dark Oak (black anthracite aluminum with a dark wood grille and handle).

The Nordic Weave model is the more affordable of the two, having an RRP of $1,099 / £899 / AU$1,650. The Dark Oak model will set you back an extra $100 / £100 in the US/UK and an extra AU$150 in Australia.

That’s a lotta cash, but you are getting a lotta speaker in return, and if you’re looking at Bang & Olufsen to be the deliverer of music in your home, chances are you’re not one to be phased by the money being asked for. Plus, the Beosound A5 holds a unique position in that it delivers serious power and is portable. If you take the view that you’re getting two premium products in one gorgeous body, you can at least justify to yourself (or your better half) that it’s worth forking out for. 

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 review: Specs

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 review: Features

• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for multiple streaming options
• No wired inputs
• Global radio stations via B&O app

Tucked away behind its gorgeous exterior, Bang & Olufsen has installed a 130mm bass driver, two 50mm full-range drivers and a single 20mm tweeter. Each driver gets its own 70W of Class D amplification, bringing the total to 280 watts, which is a lot considering its size. 

Bluetooth 5.3 is onboard for maximum compatibility with a range of audio sources, but you also get the option of streaming music via Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Chromecast over Wi-Fi. There aren’t any physical inputs for playing audio, with the only input being USB-C, which is used for charging. 

The Bang & Olufsen companion app opens up even more options, such as instant access to a vast array of radio stations. Local stations in your country are listed first and foremost, but you are free to change the location, so you can easily stream radio from the likes of Africa, Asia or South America, should you be so inclined. 

The Beosound A5 is also set up to become part of a wider multi-room audio system. Not only can you group it with other AirPlay speakers, for example, but you can also add it to an existing Beolink multi-room system, if you already own other B&O products that support it. 

And, while Google Assistant is supported, it's not by the way of voice. You can control the Beosound A5 using Google Assistant via your phone, but you can't bark commands at it. This is despite there being a microphone built into the unit. The mic can be used for room calibration, although I have yet to be able to get this to work. 

There's a physical switch on the rear of the A5, which I toggled on and off a few times to try and get the speaker to register that it was indeed on, but whenever I navigated to the calibration setting in the app, I kept getting the message that the microphone wasn't activated. I have read other accounts of people being able to get the microphone and calibration software to work, so hopefully this is just a minor bug with my review unit. 

• Features score: 4.5/5

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 review: Sound quality

• Remains in control at high volume
• Omni sound creates more space, but not genuine 360º
• Fully customizable equalizer within B&O app

I’ve already alluded to it in this review, but to reiterate, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5’s sound quality is bloody phenomenal (pardon the language but it's necessary here)! Once I had it set up in my main room, I got to work throwing all manner of songs at it to see how it coped. The first thing I noticed was just how loud it was able to go. My main room is a good size, and when connected via AirPlay from my iPhone, it filled it with ease. I didn’t even need to have the volume a third of the way to full and I was still concerned I’d get a knock at the door from the neighbors. 

If you do dare to turn up the volume, then you’ll experience a sound that is genuinely room-filling. I didn’t have a larger room to test the speaker in, but considering what I said about not even needing to put the volume at 30%, I have no doubt that 70% to 100% will satisfy any prospective buyer. 

What I was particularly amazed by was just how controlled the sound was no matter the volume. Lower bass frequencies really do rumble and vocals in the higher frequency range cut through with clarity and precision. It’s an absolute joy to listen to. 

No matter the genre, the Beosound A5 is ready to deliver it to its absolute best. I sent it bass-heavy dance tracks from the likes of Australian DJs Dom Dolla and Fisher, more intricate vocal performances from Madonna and the Dave Matthews Band, and even some poptastic crowd pleasers from George Michael and Cher. 

Each was delivered with confidence and clarity, with no single frequency overpowering the other. I really wanted to find a chink in the Beosound A5’s beautiful armor, but it was to no avail. Everything and anything was belted out from the unassuming exterior in unison, resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable experience song after song. 

Bang & Olufsen’s app helps to further your enjoyment, giving you the ability to adjust and customize the equalizer to your liking. I’d used this feature before when reviewing the Beoplay EX in-ear headphones and so I was pleased to be reunited with it here. 

You’re able to adjust characteristics of the sound with real precision, more than just increasing or decreasing bass and treble for example. You can save any presets you fancy and you can also toggle the Omni 360º sound on or off. 

Turning it off does indeed cause your music to sound more direct, while having it on introduces an extra sense of space. I wouldn’t call it true 360º sound, but the soundstage does indeed become larger. There were instances where I didn’t fully appreciate this more expansive sound I’ll admit, and so I would find myself switching to stereo. The Omni sound can reduce the impact of some recordings, and it can touch upon the outskirts of sounding ‘muddled’. During my listening time, however, this was rare. 

If you do want true Atmos-like audio, then the Sonos Era would be a better choice, as it has actual upfiring drivers.

• Sound quality score: 4.5/5

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 review: Design

• Portable thanks to battery power and carry handle
• IP65 protection against water splashes and dust
• Available in 'silver' and 'black'

Yes, it looks like a basket. Now that’s out of the way, we can get into brass tacks. 

As portable Bluetooth speakers go, the Beosound A5 is actually quite large and heavy, tipping the scales at 3.8kg. You certainly can’t just slip it into your backpack like you can with some other portable Bluetooth speakers. No, if you know you’re going to take this one with you on-the-move, you will appreciate a vehicle to transport it to your destination, although truth be told, I can't see many owners doing even this. 

But this is a Bang & Olufsen product, which means just as much attention has been paid to making it look like a piece of furniture or art, as it has to making it sound superb. For the Beosound A5, B&O has enlisted the services of Danish-Italian design studio GamFratesi, with the two brands collaborating on the overall aesthetic. 

The result is a great one, and I can’t imagine there’ll be many who oppose the looks of the Beosound A5. It’s as minimalist and clean as one should now expect from the premium Danish brand and I love how the grille wrapping around the outside doesn’t immediately give away that it’s a speaker. During my time with the product, the Beosound A5 was nestled away in the corner of my room, slipping in nicely with the overall aesthetic of the space. I’m just as happy to look at it as I am to listen to it. It’s easily the best-looking wireless speaker I’ve personally come across. 

What is perhaps more interesting and impressive, is that B&O has designed the Beosound A5 so that it can be easily repaired – should it ever become necessary – and upgraded. This is thanks to what it calls the Mozart platform. This refers to both the modular and long-lasting design of the Beosound A5, and software updates that allow it to be future-proof. Mozart also, says B&O, helps to reduce the company's environmental impact. B&O says many of the elements of the A5 are replaceable by the user, such as the covers. For more intricate repairs or replacements, Bang & Olufsen is on hand to provide its services. 

On top of the Beosound A5 you’ll find the power button, Bluetooth pairing button, volume controls and four ‘favorite’ buttons. With these, you can save different sound profiles, enabling quick switching depending on the genre of music you’re listening to, or some radio stations. On the top surface is also where you’ll find a Qi wireless charging plate for keeping your smartphone’s battery topped up. It did take me a little bit of trial and error to get my iPhone to register the exact positioning of the charger, but overall it was a pretty seamless experience. Using the wireless charger whilst using the speaker on battery power will naturally eat into the overall battery life of the Beosound A5.  

Speaking of battery power, B&O says the A5 is good for 12 hours of playback (without using the wireless charging plate) and a full recharge via USB-C takes around three hours. 

• Design score: 5/5

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 review: Value

• Class-leading sound and gorgeous design
• Flexible connectivity options
• Price will realistically be too high for most

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 does come with a high price attached and in the current climate, it might not be the absolute best decision to have launched it. But, there is the fact that the realistic target audience for such a speaker is likely going to be those who are in the fortunate position of not needing to look after the pennies as much. 

It must also be said that it really is a phenomenal-sounding speaker, one that I wholeheartedly think deserves its price. When you factor in the sound quality, the beautiful design and the fact it has the Bang & Olufsen name attached, the price starts to become justified. 

I’d say the closest competition to the Beosound A5 would be the likes of the Sonos Era 300 or Apple HomePod 2 from a lifestyle speaker perspective, or the Devialet Mania from a cost perspective. The former two require mains power at all times, while the Devialet offers much in the same way when it comes to sound. It too is able to create a big, wide soundfield – perhaps more impressively since it’s a smaller speaker – and has a similar feature set. 

We’ll do our best to get both speakers side by side for a proper premium portable speaker comparison. 

• Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5?

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Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5: Also Consider

How I tested the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5

• Tested with music from Apple Music, streamed via AirPlay 2 from both my phone and my laptop
• Used at home, in various rooms and locations within each
• Tested for two weeks, listened to for around 15 hours total

I’ve had the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 for a couple of weeks, and since it arrived having already been loaned out to other parties, I didn’t feel the need to run it in too much. I did let it play a few songs on a low volume, just to get warmed up. 

I then sat down to listen to it, playing music from both my laptop and my phone using Apple Music and streaming via AirPlay 2. I positioned the Beosound A5 in various places around my main living room, to see if and how it affected the sound output. 

I also experimented to great lengths with changing the equalizer settings within the B&O app. I moved the control wheel around to various spots, changing the sound from bright and energetic, to warm and even to remove bass and treble frequencies, until I could settle on an EQ that best-suited my preferences. 

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: July 2023