Navigating through the vast sea of smart speakers can be a challenge, especially when you’re seeking a blend of high-end audio performance, intelligent features, and luxurious design aesthetics. Well, Pursuitist has done the heavy lifting for you. From 
countless hours of careful listening and hands-on evaluation, we’ve tested a multitude of luxury smart speakers, putting them through rigorous audio experiences. This quest led us to a select few that excelled in every dimension. So, without further ado, let’s introduce you to our top 5 luxury smart speakers for 2024, each deserving of a place in the most refined environments.
1. Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance
Overview
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance presents a refined and elegant offering in the luxury smart speaker market for 2024. The Beosound Balance exhibits an immaculate blend of superior craftsmanship and futuristic technology, which has always been a hallmark of Bang & Olufsen’s products. With a commitment to luxury and a flair for design, this speaker isn’t just a gadget—it’s a lifestyle statement.
Key Features
- Cost: $2,250
- Company and Model: Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance
- Quality: Premium build quality, solid and robust construction
- Design: It features an elegant and sophisticated design, with a minimalistic silhouette. It’s available in different finishes, and its body is made from carefully selected natural materials.
- Sound: The Beosound Balance offers room-filling, 360-degree sound with seven drivers, and B&O’s proprietary Active Room Compensation adjusting sound delivery based on room acoustics.
- Compatibility: Google Assistant built-in, supports Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth.
- Deep Craftsmanship: The Beosound Balance is crafted from high-quality oak sourced from sustainable European forests. This not only adds to the visual appeal but also enhances the acoustic properties, offering a warmer, richer sound.
- Innovative Technology: Active Room Compensation is a standout feature. This technology uses internal microphones to analyze room acoustics and adjusts the speaker’s output to optimize sound quality, ensuring impeccable audio in any room.
- Evolutionary Design: Comparing it to its predecessors, the Beosound Balance boasts a more streamlined design and improved sound dispersion, making it a true successor in B&O’s illustrious lineup.
Why They’re Pursuitist Worthy
Beosound Balance, besides offering superior audio quality, focuses on the aesthetic appeal and the decor of the modern, luxury-loving home. It provides a sensory experience both visually and audibly, setting it apart in a market often obsessed with technical capabilities.
2. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge
Overview
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge is a testament to a legacy of audio excellence, infused with smart functionalities. It effortlessly delivers high-resolution, room-filling sound and combines an iconic design with modern convenience.
Key Features
- Cost: $900
- Company and Model: Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge
- Quality: Exquisite build quality with precision sound performance
- Design: The distinctive, 120-degree elliptical shape is both stylish and purposeful, aiding in expansive sound projection.
- Sound: Crystal clear highs, accurate midranges, and rich bass response facilitated by its unique speaker configuration.
- Compatibility: Supports AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon, and Bluetooth.
- Design Philosophy: The unique 120-degree shape is not just an aesthetic choice; it’s engineered for optimal sound spread, creating an immersive listening experience that fills the room evenly.
- Personal Experience: In a luxury home environment, the Formation Wedge seamlessly blends with modern decor, adding a touch of elegance with its distinctive silhouette.
- Sound Assessment: The speaker shines in delivering crisp vocals and detailed instrumental sounds, making it particularly impressive for acoustic and live recordings.
Why They’re Pursuitist Worthy
The Formation Wedge embodies a powerful combination of aesthetic design and high-fidelity audio. It fits seamlessly into the decor of a luxury home while offering a top-tier, immersive audio experience.
3. Devialet Gold Phantom I
Overview
The Gold Phantom I from Devialet is a smart speaker that’s all about extremes: extreme sound, extreme power, and extreme sophistication. Its design, reminiscent of a futuristic engine, is unique and unmistakable, setting a high bar for luxury smart speakers in 2023.
Key Features
- Cost: $3,200
- Company and Model: Devialet Gold Phantom I
- Quality: Craftsmanship that exudes luxury
- Design: Unorthodox and futuristic design, with gold plated sides for an extra touch of luxury.
- Sound: Powerful, distortion-free sound at all volumes with a mind-blowing 4,500 watts of peak power.
- Compatibility: Multi-room setup with Devialet app, supports AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth.
- Power Defined: The impressive 4,500 watts of peak power translates to a sound that’s not just loud, but clear and distortion-free at all volumes, capable of filling even large spaces with ease.
- Aesthetic Impact: The gold plating adds a luxurious feel that changes hue and appearance under different lighting, making the speaker a dynamic piece of art.
- App Functionality: The Devialet app is intuitive, offering easy control for multi-room setups and personalized sound settings, enhancing user interaction with the speaker.
Why They’re Pursuitist Worthy
The Gold Phantom I takes luxury to the extreme, pushing the boundaries of both aesthetic and audio performance. It’s a spectacle to behold, with an auditory experience that is just as impressive.
4. Sonus Faber Omnia
Overview
The Sonus Faber Omnia is a testament to Italian craftsmanship, paying homage to the traditional and marrying it to the modern. With the Omnia, Sonus Faber brings together the worlds of artisanal handiwork and cutting-edge sound technology.
Key Features
- Cost: $2,000
- Company and Model: Sonus Faber Omnia
- Quality: A perfect amalgamation of durability, craftsmanship, and high-quality materials.
- Design: Unique Italian design featuring handcrafted wood, leather, and glass finishes.
- Sound: Hi-Res audio with detailed highs, clean mids, and deep bass. Comes with room calibration technology for best audio performance.
- Compatibility: Supports Google Assistant, Alexa, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth.
- Italian Craftsmanship: The Omnia’s design is deeply rooted in the rich tradition of Italian artisanal work, evident in its handcrafted wood, leather, and glass finishes, a nod to the legacy of Italian luxury.
- Room Calibration Explained: Its advanced room calibration adjusts audio output to suit the specific acoustics of the space, ensuring optimal sound regardless of room size or shape.
- Adaptability: The Omnia’s classic design enables it to blend seamlessly into various interior styles, from modern minimalist to classic opulence.
Why They’re Pursuitist Worthy
The Omnia stands out as a piece of art first, and a luxury smart speaker second. This blend of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology makes it a unique offering, worthy of the most refined environments.
5. Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation
Overview
Naim’s Mu-so 2nd Generation is a beacon of British audio engineering. With its elegant design and powerful performance, the Mu-so is the epitome of audio luxury that fits just about anywhere.
Key Features
- Cost: $1,690
- Company and Model: Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation
- Quality: Uncompromising build quality, built to last
- Design: Clean, modern aesthetics with a signature illuminated base.
- Sound: Class-leading performance with a range of six custom-designed speakers.
- Compatibility: Supports Google Assistant, Alexa, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal, and Bluetooth.
- British Audio Engineering: Naim has a longstanding reputation for excellence in audio engineering. The Mu-so 2nd Generation embodies this heritage, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
- Illuminated Base: The illuminated base adds a soft glow, creating an ambient atmosphere that enhances the overall sensory experience.
- Smart Integration: Its wide range of connectivity options, including integration with smart home systems, makes it a versatile addition to any high-end audio setup.
Why They’re Pursuitist Worthy
The Mu-so delivers a remarkable audio performance while keeping a sleek, modern look. Its ability to integrate into any luxury setting while remaining a focal point makes it a standout in the world of high-end smart speakers.
Comparative Analysis
| Feature | Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance | Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge | Devialet Gold Phantom I | Sonus Faber Omnia | Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $2,250 | $900 | $3,200 | $2,000 | $1,690 |
| Design | Minimalistic, natural materials | 120-degree elliptical shape | Futuristic, gold plated | Italian craftsmanship | Modern, illuminated base |
| Sound | 360-degree, room-adjusting | Expansive sound projection | 4,500W peak power | Hi-Res, calibrated sound | Class-leading performance |
| Tech | Advanced room compensation | High-fidelity audio | Powerful and distortion-free | Traditional meets modern | Seamless smart integration |
Each of these smart speakers not only exemplifies superb sound quality but also stands as a testament to the luxury and sophistication of their design. From the handcrafted Italian elegance of the Sonus Faber Omnia to the groundbreaking power of the Devialet Gold Phantom I, they each bring a unique flavor to the world of high-end audio. Whether you’re an audiophile or a connoisseur of luxury, these speakers promise to elevate your living space and your listening experience to unprecedented heights. Turn up the volume, and let the symphony of luxury smart speakers transform your auditory landscape.
Luxury is not just about a price tag; it’s about the overall experience. And these smart speakers exemplify that. They deliver exquisite sound quality, embody compelling design aesthetics, and offer an immersive, intelligent experience that is sure to enhance your musical indulgence. Whether it’s the exquisite Italian craftsmanship of the Sonus Faber Omnia or the power-packed performance of the Devialet Gold Phantom I, each of these luxury smart speakers has its unique allure. We hope our curated list guides you in choosing a speaker that matches your discerning tastes and amplifies your living space with exceptional sound. Now, all that’s left to do is to turn up the volume and lose yourself in the music.
