Preliminary identification

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9 Wireless Speaker

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

This is a Beoplay A9, a groundbreaking wireless home speaker designed to look like a piece of fine furniture rather than a piece of tech gear. It features a striking circular design supported by three minimalist wooden or aluminum legs, blending high-end acoustics with Scandinavian modernism.

Story

In 2012, Danish designer Øivind Slaatto wanted to create a speaker that didn't hide in a corner. He modeled this circular icon on the physics of sound waves, turning a piece of home audio into a sculptural masterpiece.

Maker / Origin

Founded in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, Bang & Olufsen has spent nearly a century at the intersection of acoustic performance and avant-garde industrial design. Their products are so visually significant that several are held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

Condition & Value

The speaker is shown without its signature front fabric cover, exposing the underlying driver frame and perforated plastic. The aluminum legs and rim appear intact, but the unit must be tested for wireless connectivity and audio clarity. Missing the front cover reduces the immediate value by $100-$200 for replacement costs.

Full Research

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Build on this identification

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.