Preliminary identification

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9 Wireless Speaker, 1st Generation

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

This is a groundbreaking piece of modern audio design, conceived not just as a speaker but as a beautiful piece of furniture. Designed by Øivind Alexander Slaatto, its iconic circular shape and minimalist tripod legs revolutionized how we integrate technology into our living spaces. It represents the perfect marriage of high-end Danish acoustic engineering and sculptural interior design.

Story

In 2012, Danish designer Øivind Slaatto wanted to create a speaker with no front or back, inspired by the way sound travels in circles. He designed this iconic disc to mimic the shape of sound waves, turning a bulky audio component into a piece of fine art.

Maker / Origin

Founded in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, Bang & Olufsen is legendary for its uncompromising commitment to acoustic quality and avant-garde industrial design. For nearly a century, the Danish firm has collaborated with world-class designers to create electronics that double as museum-worthy sculptures, earning them a permanent place in New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Condition & Value

The speaker is shown without its front fabric grille, exposing the beautifully engineered driver matrix. The aluminum rim and rear casing appear clean, and the legs are intact. The power cord is present, but full functional testing of the wireless connection and touch controls is required.

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.