Bang & Olufsen (B&O) has long been synonymous with bold, boundary-pushing design. While we deeply appreciate their innovative contributions to the world of audio-visual technology, even the best stumble occasionally. In this article, we take a playful look at some of B&O’s most controversial designs over the past decade—or, as some might say, the ugliest speakers ever made by a luxury audio brand.

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I’ve long been a fan of B&O, particularly their iconic designs from the 1980s and 1990s, such as the Beosystem 6500 pictured below—a piece that wouldn’t look out of place on a Miami Vice set in the villain’s white mansion. Many, myself included, consider this era to be the golden age of B&O design. While I admire their creations primarily for their striking style and aesthetic appeal, I’m also aware of their impressive audio capabilities, with several products delivering remarkable sound quality—though value often takes a backseat.

My intention here isn’t to mock (well, at least not most of the time) but to showcase how bold design choices can evoke both admiration and bewilderment. So, to the B&O die-hards out there: consider this your warning. I’m about to dive into designs that divided opinions, ruffled feathers, and made many of us wonder, “What were they thinking?”

A noticeable shift over the past Decade:

For decades, Bang & Olufsen’s design ethos was shaped by two visionaries: Jacob Jensen and later, David Lewis, who worked with the company from the 1960s into the 1980s, and were instrumental in establishing B&O’s minimalist and functional design language, earning the brand a place in museums and design halls of fame. David Lewis, who succeeded Jensen as the chief designer in 1980, carried the torch and elevated B&O to new heights with his daring yet cohesive creations. Lewis’s tenure lasted until his passing in 2011, marking the end of an era when a singular vision dictated B&O’s aesthetic direction.

Since 2011, Bang & Olufsen has taken a more collaborative approach to design, blending inputs from acoustics, engineering, and various design teams. This shift has allowed for technological innovations like the BeoLab 90 but has also led to a portfolio of products that some fans feel lack the aesthetic coherence of the Jensen and Lewis eras. While the collaborative model has resulted in some cool technical achievements, it has also produced designs that range from brilliant to bewildering.

Let’s dig into the latter with our top picks for, arguably, the ugliest speakers in the past decade of Bang & Olufsen’s history.

1. Balenciaga x Bang & Olufsen Speaker Bag (The musical kettlebell with space for your credit cards)

Bang & Olufsen and Balenciaga unveiled their collaboration, the Speaker Bag, during Balenciaga’s 51st Couture show in Paris on July 6, 2022. Crafted from a solid block of aluminum and functions both as a portable speaker and a handbag.  This collaboration seemed like a match made in design heaven, but the result looks more like a kettlebell in a handbag. While the sound quality and materials are undoubtedly premium, it’s unclear if it’s meant to play music or flex your upper body strength. Love it or hate it, this piece is as much a conversation starter as a speaker.  B&O can’t take all the design blame, since Balenciaga played a big part in the design –have you seen some of their shoes?! (They could easily have their own top 10 ugly list, perhaps a top 30!)

Price: Haute couture pricing if you have to ask, it’s probably too much Roughly $10K USD

2. BeoSound Emerge (B&O’s premium WIFI router)

Originally Designed to blend into your bookshelf the Emerge instead looks like a typical WiFi router. While its slim form factor and high-end sound are admirable, it’s not winning any beauty contests.  Make sure Verizon doesn’t mistakingly take this away on your next upgrade! Perfect for those who need to balance the look of their existing router.  There’s also a gold version that doesn’t look as bad, but it’s still an odd-shaped design that might be slim but still takes up a sizable depth footprint and you can be sure there were audible compromises made to squeeze into this “unique” shape.

Price: $1,049 USD See it on Amazon

 

 

3. BeoSound Balance (Or is it an Ikea Lamp?)

With its cylindrical oak base and fabric top, the Balance resembles a modern lamp from IKEA. As one of the lesser ugly offenders in the group, it’s still the kind of design that sparks the question: “Is this avant-garde or just overpriced home decor?”  Maybe they should have stuck a bulb in it and gone for the multi-use angle.  You’ll have to shell out over $6K for a stereo pair –perhaps a new living room at Ikea instead?!

Price: Over $3000 USD See it on Amazon

 

 

4. BeoLab 5 (Jetsons and Dr.Who Collide)

Featuring Acoustic lens technology for 360-degree sound, these towering speakers are technical marvels but look like Daleks from Doctor Who attending a retro-futuristic party. While their sound performance is legendary, their overwhelming presence can dominate any room—and not always in a good way.

Price: $19,000 USD. Find it on eBay

 

5. BeoSound Level (Is there a Hepa filter in there?)

At first glance, the Level resembles an air purifier or an HVAC vent cover. Despite its sleek functionality and impressive specs, its aesthetic leaves many wondering if it belongs in a high-tech home or a utility closet.

Price $1999 USD See it on Amazon

 

 

 

6. BeoSound A5 (Don’t Try to fill it with flowers or ice)

The A5’s light wood version practically shouts “picnic or flower basket,” while the dark wood version looks like a hotel ice bucket. Whether it’s blasting tunes at a polo match or resting in the tailgate of your Range Rover, this design is undeniably functional—but let’s be honest, it’s a bit of a niche aesthetic.

Price: $1,099 USD See it on Amazon

 

7. BeoSound Theater (Will a big price make it less tacky?)

Dubbed a soundbar for the ages, the Theater is divisive thanks to its added glass panels and excessive bling with customizable covers. B&O claims it’ll last for generations.  It might be priced at near Patek Philippe levels but I’m quite certain the grandkids won’t ever be using this!) And with Ferrari branding available as an extra, it’s hard not to wonder: can upping the price on something make it more desirable and less tacky?

Price: Around $10,000 USD

8. BeoLab 90 (Is someone trying to escape from within?)

With Advanced 360-degree sound and 18 drivers, the BeoLab 90 can pack a punch but also looks a bit like a ghost under a black sheet—or perhaps yet another Doctor Who Dalek in disguise. At $150K, it’s a hefty investment in both sound and an icebreaker for any design debate. And yes, the little guy inside the speaker still looks like he’s desperately trying to escape –maybe someday he’ll break free!  The good and rare news is that if you bought one of these when they first came out your speaker has appreciated a rarity in the world of home audio and tech!

Price: $77,000 USD at launch in 2015, now $150,000 USD Find it on eBay

 

 

9. BeoSound 2 (Will it clear your pot or cigar smoke?)

The BeoSound 2 features 360-degree sound. The sleek aluminum design might impress at first glance, but many argue it looks more like an air purifier than a speaker. Adding to the controversy is the Ferrari-branded version, which costs even more and arguably diminishes any morsel of understated elegance it had.  Perhaps go with the Dyson, hide a couple of Sonos era in the room, plus a sub, and still save enough dough to treat yourself to a box of the finest Cuban cigars which you can now safely smoke indoors!

Price: $3,500 USD See it on Amazon

 

Artistic Brilliance or Design Missteps?  Ultimately Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

I always say that you need to take some chances to come up with something great, so I applaud Bang & Olufsen for always pushing the envelope even if their bold design ethos is a double-edged sword. Whether you find these designs iconic or irritating, there’s no denying their place in audio-visual history. Love them or hate them, B&O keeps us talking—and that’s half the battle. So, what do you think? Are these designs audacious art or just plain absurd? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and if we left any out or if you have an uglier speaker you want to share!