Beosound Emerge wireless smart speaker Review and Connectivity - is it the right speaker for you? 4K

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Bang and Olufsen have launched Beosound Emerge, their compact, wireless smart speaker that seems impossibly small - can it still give good sound? Steve from Sounds Heavenly guides you through how to find out if this is the right speaker for you, as well as giving advice on how to set this up for the best sound and how to link it to your existing B&O system.
Steve is a brand ambassador for B&O as a member of the Bang and Olufsen Collective and a sponsor of beoworld.org - the World's largest independent Bang and Olufsen enthusiast website. If you have any questions about getting the best from your Bang and Olufsen system, please ask Steve via the contact page at soundsheavenly.com
Steve has not been paid to make this video, so you will always hear Steve's own opinions on this channel. The speaker shown in this video was provided free by Bang & Olufsen, for full details of this speaker please visit B&O's website at: on.beo.com/BangOlufsen_Sounds...
The Powerlink to Beosound Emerge cable mentioned in the video can be seen on Steve's website here: soundsheavenly.com/music-outp...
The Powerlink to RJ45 adapter mentioned in the video (for use with newer B&O products) can be seen on Steve's website here: soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufs...
Ethics Disclosure:
Steve works with Bang and Olufsen as a Brand Ambassador but he is not employed by Bang and Olufsen. As a result, Bang and Olufsen have provided the product free of charge for this review. However, Steve has not been paid for making this review and no other inducements (eg. travel, gifts, etc) have been offered or accepted. Bang and Olufsen have not had (or requested) sight of this review before publication and they have not given any input into the content of the review. Steve is a lifelong Bang and Olufsen enthusiast who runs an independent cabling company Sounds Heavenly to support connections for Bang and Olufsen products. All views given in this review are Steve's own opinions - you will always receive Steve's own views and not those of any other party.
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[@BangOlufsenManchester]

Nailed it with the sound comments Steve, I came to the same conclusions. Fair and balanced with your usual unique spin 👍

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks John, I enjoyed your review. It is a great little speaker that gives a lovely sound at lower volume levels

[@joeri999]

Hi Steve, I just wanted to say: wow, you seem like the most honest, true to life reviewer that I have ever seen on KZbin. Thank you, we need more Steves! 🙂

[@soundsheavenly]

Thank you! Glad you like the review, I will always give you my genuine opinion.

[@simonmathewduncan5399]

Excellent Steve, John also from B n O Manchester obviously made those comments. I have purchased one in the North East and its for a small room where my beosound 2 and A9 would be too much, never mind the x 2 cabled systems.... So I think it would be perfect for the requirement I want. Thanks Steve excellent as usual and to John from B n O for good honest analysis. Cheers Simon

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks Simon! Yes, this is a great little speaker when used in the right environment

[@dlorbieski]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.....another informative and well presented video 👍

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks!

[@MH19577]

Thank you!

[@soundsheavenly]

You are welcome!

[@blupfisk]

Your voice is like honey for the ears :)

[@BangOlufsenManchester]

Yes!

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks, that really made me smile!

[@BangOlufsenManchester]

If you get bored of cables maybe a KZbin career in ASMR 😁👍

[@soundsheavenly]

🤣👍

[@Michael-xl2vf]

You have a wonderful voice.

[@soundsheavenly]

Thank you!

[@fortanell1]

Thank you...for honest review...many will argue that it’s a waste of money... but only who has experience with b&0 they will tell you why this is worthy...

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks. This speaker is not cheap, especially considering its small size. However, you simply won't get this quality of sound from any other small speaker at any price. It is the best small smart speaker I have heard.

[@fortanell1]

@@soundsheavenly ..i just got the crazy idea...I have a 2300 beosound CD player..if I buy 2 with the right cables I will have an amazing looking out of ordinary stereo ...it’s a work on progress lol..

[@soundsheavenly]

@@fortanell1 That is a great idea! You just need this cable in the headphone socket of the 2300 to link 2 x Emerge (please add a note to say that you will use the cable with the Emerge, then I can ensure it is wired correctly for you): soundsheavenly.com/beolab-4-and-4pc/79-335-beolab-4-4pc-input-cable-minijack-connection.html#/2-length-1m

[@geraldmcmullon2465]

For under 3 litres B&W MM-1, Visonik David Active, Kanto Yu2, Audioengine A1 Wireless, Audioengine A2+ wireless and only the MM-1 claims 38-22kHz to the Emerge 45-22k. The MM-1 are tied to 1.5 metres apart - desk top speakers, not listening room wide stereo. At 3.65lires the B&W Formation Flex is close (on paper) and half the cost. At Level prices the Devialet Phantom 98db 2 at 5.8 litres (in fact far less as it not a rectangular block but oval egg shape) has the bass down to 18Hz. The Cambridge B&O store has all the Devialet speakers in the same room as the smaller B&O models.

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks, there are some good speakers here. However I still opted for the B&O due to the sound quality, despite the higher price.

[@jeffleigh3747]

Hi Steve, great vid as ever. Being new to B & O I thought I just saw you control music with a flute 😂😂 Please do a video showing us “Heavenly” fans what the heck that silver looking device is and does please. Thanks 👏

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks Jeff! As requested, here is the "magic flute video"! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYvTqHZnns6IaM0

[@mattcurtis8209]

Great review

[@soundsheavenly]

Thank you!

[@GC2TEJJ]

I love my new Beosound Explore.

[@soundsheavenly]

Hi, I haven't heard the Explore yet, but I will be interested to try it when I next visit my B&O dealer

[@ee123h9]

Love this Emerge and I used to listening Jazz music, crispy treble, bass deep enough to me in a small room. Price just little too high, was thinking if B&O selling a pair with USD$200 off that would be great.

[@soundsheavenly]

Yes it is a great little speaker, I also hope that B&O will offer a deal for buying a pair!

[@chrispeat5489]

Steve Looking for the right speaker to work nicely in our kitchen diner. It’s a barn conversion so we’ve got full height cathedral style roof - what would be a good speaker or speakers to use? Is it better to perhaps pair a couple of speakers & position them higher up or would it still be ok at sideboard height. Thanks Chris

[@soundsheavenly]

Hi Chris, best to have a listen at your local B&O store to see which best fits your needs, please let me know what you decide!

[@darryllshaungarland6114]

Hi Steve, I've owned a set of BeoLab 4 since their release but I've never heard that Power Off tone before!

[@soundsheavenly]

The power off tone came from the Beosound Emerge, not from the Beolab 4! This happens when music stops playing on the line input.

[@darryllshaungarland6114]

@@soundsheavenly I realised after I'd sent the message Steve.. Trying to multitask again!! lol

[@soundsheavenly]

🤣👍

[@olunelum1]

Nice video and thank you for the review. Can I ask a question, can I buy two of these speakers and make them to have stereo sound connected to a stereo system, if so what cables do I have to buy from your website? Many thanks

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks, glad the video was helpful. Please feel free to get in touch at soundsheavenly.com with any connection questions and I will be happy to help (these are too detailed to cover in KZbin comments!)

[@NekoSmash]

Wondering how this compares sonically to BEOPLAY M5 since they are in the same price range. Thanks so much for such a constructive review :)

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks, I haven't had the chance to listen to this side by side with the M5 yet so I would recommend having a listen for yourself in a local B&O store if possible - please let me know what you think! My suspicion is that the M5 will have a deeper and heavier bass, but the Emerge has a very sweet midrange tone that I don't think the M5 will be able to match.

[@NekoSmash]

@@soundsheavenly Thanks Steve for the insightful reply, and looking through KZbin on the Emerge I found John‘s video (from B&O Manchester). It seems that your suspicions were spot on 😆. The Emerge appears to be more civilized and refined, while the M5 outperforms in the deeper base department. Either way, I will drop by my local B&O dealer and take a listen for myself.

[@soundsheavenly]

@@NekoSmash Thanks, glad the video and reply were helpful!

[@arthurli4171]

Hi, Steve how does the emerge compare to the A1 2nd gen, I currently have those for the bedroom. Thank you

[@soundsheavenly]

The Emerge is a big step up from the A1, it has much deeper bass and the ability to stream via Spotify Connect, Airplay and Chromecast for higher sound quality, plus a useful line input socket for connecting a turntable or other music source

[@Hoganwiz]

Steve! I need your help! I’m undecided between the Emerge and Level. I’m looking to use it for some casual listening in my office room, maybe using Beolink Multiroom with my Stage which is connected to my turntable elsewhere in the house. Which one would you recommend? Thank you so much for the advice.

[@Hoganwiz]

Btw your content is amazing, thank you for being here

[@soundsheavenly]

@@Hoganwiz Thank you! I had the same choice to make (Level vs 2xEmerge) and the sound is very different. You need to decide what is best to your ears and also if you need the flexibility that the Level can give. Level gives more bass but to my ears the Emerge has a more natural sound. I chose the 2x Emerge to get a big stereo spread, but please let me know what you decide!

[@kevinkevin-ug9po]

Hi there Steve, im.planning buying 2 emerge speakers, but can you link a turntable, beogram to them or any way to do it

[@soundsheavenly]

Hi, yes you can link a Beogram or any other brand of turntable to the stereo paired Emerge speakers! Please drop me a message via the contact page on my site at soundsheavenly.com with details of which model of turntable you wish to connect and I can help with the connections.

[@kingRhody]

Hey @Steve, My Google assistant doesn’t seem to work for me on the emerge

[@soundsheavenly]

Sorry to hear that. I don't know about Google assistant as I don't use it, best to speak to B&O as this may be a fault with your speaker.

[@Pymon626]

Simply an aesthetic critique; but the outer fluted portion of the black Emerge should be accented with aluminium. Something like the Contrast Collection. It looks far too similar to a router to be held to the same design standard as either the Level or Balance.

[@soundsheavenly]

That is a good comment, I would have liked to see B&O's usual brushed aluminium on the Emerge, I think more colours are likely to follow soon after the launch.

[@nevg2067]

Is it possible to play music from a mobile via Bluetooth without using the B&O mobile app please? I want to play uploaded tracks from vinyl from musicstack but it seems the emerge prioritises the WiFi before Bluetooth?

[@soundsheavenly]

Yes, you can just go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone and connect to the speaker over Bluetooth (press the Bluetooth button on the speaker to start pairing) then you don't need to use the B&O app. Google enabled speakers need to have the Google Home app set up in order to use Bluetooth.

[@nevg2067]

@@soundsheavenly thanks Steve, I'll persevere and hopefully figure it out. Also want to know if I can connect my turntable with Jack plug from a pre amp. Will the amp in the emerge do the same job as the Denon midi CD player I currently use?

[@soundsheavenly]

@@nevg2067 Please drop me a message via my website at soundsheavenly.com for any technical questions and I can then help via email. Thank you!

[@kevinkevin-ug9po]

I bought two Steve but dont seem to be able to link my music other than spotify. I want to access my own music, hmmm

[@soundsheavenly]

If your music is on a NAS drive (network hard drive) then you access it from the music tab in the B&O app, or via Apple Music for iOS users. B&O support should be able to help you with this via their website

[@MH19577]

I liked your review and am interested in this speaker. I am wondering if the speaker will connect effortlessly with my (new) MacBook Pro with the Bluetooth connection. Thank you. I am not a computer guy.

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks, glad you liked the review! Yes, Bluetooth will be simple to use, as an alternative you will get better sound quality by using Airplay for a wireless link from the MacBook to the speaker.

[@MH19577]

@@soundsheavenly Yes, I purchased this speaker thanks to your review.

[@soundsheavenly]

@MH19577 Thanks, glad my video was useful!

[@MH19577]

@@soundsheavenly The speaker is lovely. One issue though is that the front upper portion of the right side panel remains slightly warm even when the speaker is not in use. B&O technical team said this is not a concern. I wonder if you have any experience with this?

[@soundsheavenly]

@MH19577 yes, this is normal and doesn’t affect the operation of the speakers in any way

[@Hoganwiz]

Do you have any news on its availability? It’s been sold out for more than a year now. Thank you Steve :3

[@soundsheavenly]

Hi, this is just about to be re-launched. Depending on which country you are in, you should see new stock on the B&O website and in stores within the next 1-3 months time

[@Hoganwiz]

Thank you so much Steve! I don’t know why I didn’t come to you any sooner, no one is discussing this anywhere that I could find! Someone in the B&O store in Paris a couple months ago said to me that she assumed it was an issue with manufacturing and finding the right parts due to scarcity… hopefully they’ll re-launch soon as you said. Thank you so much!

[@soundsheavenly]

No problem! This is a great little speaker and well worth a listen when it comes back into stores

[@Earth4831]

Beosound emerge vs Beolit 20 What do you think is better?

[@soundsheavenly]

Good question! Full info to follow in a forthcoming video review - please subscribe to be the first to hear the full results...

[@marknowicki1203]

Your wife Lynn wanted the Level right away, I take it you couldn't convince her to trade it for the Emerge?!? I am hoping I get my oak non-GVA Level soon, I think I will be able to find more applications for that than the Emerge. I was interested in hearing peoples real opinions on the Emerge, thanks much!

[@soundsheavenly]

Both the Emerge and the Level are superb speakers, I think the subtle approach of the Emerge is ideal for the bedroom - I wondered about asking for the Level back, but I think I will stick with the Emerge now

[@geraldmcmullon2465]

Level is 'double' the cost of the Emerge. But you can take it out and run off battery. A big, flat panel speaker 60% larger than the Emerge. A stereo pair of Emerge speakers I suspect would be more rewarding than a single Level.

[@soundsheavenly]

Both are great speakers but I prefer the stereo imaging from having two Emerge spread wide apart. Level has the advantage of portability though

[@theonlyredspecial]

Does tidal app work well with it ?

[@soundsheavenly]

I use Spotify myself (which works perfectly), but I have heard good reports from friends who use Tidal with their B&O speakers.

[@paulfreeman4900]

Great equipment but overpriced if you live in a flat and need to take into consideration your neighbours. I bought a second hand Bose AWR1-2W and it's fine. I live in a flat so I bought the Bang and Ofufsen Beoplay EQ. These are wonderful, in fact, they are amazing!! They take a bit of getting used to; there are many options and settings, but they are the best earbuds on the market.

[@soundsheavenly]

Glad you like the earbuds. The Emerge is actually a great choice if you live in a flat as it has far better control of bass output than other speakers due to the active room compensation. Much less likely to upset your neighbours than your existing speaker I suspect...

[@paulfreeman4900]

@@soundsheavenly Thanks for the heads up. I will consider getting the Emerge and keep my old Bose for reference

[@jpg6482]

If you have two do you just have to wire one or both for best sound

[@soundsheavenly]

For best reliability I would cable both speakers to your internet router. You can then select the uncompressed audio option in the B&O app for the best performance

[@jpg6482]

@@soundsheavenly ahh I will just be using my PC to send music, games or calls etc over to the speakers as in my home office. Would like good audio quality and stereo with the two but hopeful of not needing to run cables from PC to both ( to get better sound than Bluetooth) It’s ok if I do need to / may just put them at either end of v wide desk Vs behind me on book shelves

[@jpg6482]

Also wondered what cables you would recommend PC to speaker! Not asking for much am I lol

[@soundsheavenly]

You don’t have to cable the speakers to the pc, you can use Chromecast for a wireless connection. However, cabling the speakers to your router will improve the performance

[@soundsheavenly]

Please feel free to get in touch at soundsheavenly.com for any cable questions. Thanks

[@keerapolthanasasavat7521]

Please compare with beo lite 20 🙏

[@soundsheavenly]

They are very different speakers, so tricky to make a comparison video. In terms of sound, the Beolit has more bass, but the Emerge has a more natural tone. Emerge has multiroom capabilities, whereas Beolit 20 is a simple Bluetooth speaker. The key is to decide how you will use the speaker to see which is best for you.

[@keerapolthanasasavat7521]

Thanks for quality video, quickly response and specified answer, Steve

[@garywatkins8823]

Steve we need a new beocenter not another lifestyle speaker. Same but different!! Come on, it’s really not needed! After 26 years of being faithful to B&O I’ve had to move to another brand purely because they don’t cater for my needs anymore

[@soundsheavenly]

I understand - however these is nothing wrong with matching classic Beocenters to modern speakers to get the best of both worlds. I use the new Emerge with my 1990 Beomaster 3500 and I have vinyl records, CD, FM radio, Airplay 2, internet radio and Spotify Connect all playing through the same smart speaker in my bedroom - what other brand can offer all that?

[@garywatkins8823]

@@soundsheavenly understand Steve but why on earth doesn’t B&O not make a pretty version of Naim uni atom or Cambridge evo? I’ve had to go the Naim route because B&O are absolutely obsessed with lifestyle smart speakers. I want something I can sit in front of and listen too and enjoy, not back ground. B&O are failing the core customer

[@soundsheavenly]

Yes, that is a good point. I also love having a physical music system that I can interact with. Let’s hope that B&O have got something new in the pipeline...

[@marknowicki1203]

@@soundsheavenly What do people want in a physical music system? I still buy Japanese CDs, but they are then ripped into iTunes/Music app and then streamed throughout the house. Is it albums that people are more interested in? I would love B&O to put out a new affordable turntable.

[@soundsheavenly]

@@marknowicki1203 +1 for a new turntable!

[@beomille509]

Thanks Steve - always nice to hear your take on the newer B&O stuff - and inspiring for those who want to keep their vintage gear. So.....the B&O Radio - does it offer the BBC channels? Not so much of interest for me, but certainly for your fellow UK citizens....and probably also you. By the way - Spotify Connect does not offer ‘higher than CD quality’!!, Spotify (with the highest setting) streams at 320 kbps using Ogg Vorbis in 44.1/16, when you use a Spotify Connect enabled device. If you use Chromecasting however, to play from the Spotify app, it maxes out at 256 kpbs using AAC (for reasons that noone really knows). See: community.spotify.com/t5/Other-Partners-Web-Player-etc/Chromecast-bitrate-solution-verified/td-p/4661520 - which may explain the differences, you hear.

[@soundsheavenly]

Hi, thanks for clarifying the Spotify Connect specifications, I will try to correct my error in the video. Yes, you can add BBC radio stations to the B&O radio presets.