Latest news with #BangandOlufsen
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Acura Launches a Killer MDX Lease Offer for May
Acura has an enticing offer for the 2025 MDX SH-AWD. If you're in the market for a luxurious three-row SUV, this lease offer could be what you have been looking for to get an MDX in your driveway. The MDX is currently available for $559 per month for a 36-month term, with $4,999 due at signing and up to 10,000 miles per year. If you currently own a 2015 or newer Acura, you may be eligible for a sweeter lease deal at a lower monthly payment. Acura's "Special Loyalty Lease" is available for $529 per month for a 36-month term with $4,999 due at signing. This lease deal also allows for 10,000 miles per year. The MDX is Acura's flagship SUV offering in a lineup that also includes the RDX and brand-new ADX. Some of its main competitors include the Audi Q7, Lexus GX, and Lincoln Aviator, all of which are formidable rivals in the segment. The MDX brings a lot of value to the table with its daring sense of style and value. For 2025, the model has been slightly refreshed with a new bumper, wheel, and grille design to differentiate itself from the outgoing model. Inside, the center console area has been reworked, and new 16-way adjustable front seats with a massage feature have been added as an option. The base model, which is what this lease deal is for, now comes equipped with two more speakers and a Bang and Olufsen sound system is now an option. There are six different trim levels for the MDX, so if you want to lease a higher-spec trim, you will be paying more monthly. Potential lessees who want to save money on the upfront costs can pay $0 at signing, with some adjustments to the monthly payment. We have estimated the monthly payment by spreading the $4,999 due at signing over the 36-month term (approximately $138.86), which equates to roughly $697 per month. *This $0 down figure is an estimation. Official $0 down lease offers from Acura may differ based on their specific calculations, credit approval, and potential money factor adjustments. Always obtain a quote directly from Acura. Lease offers can vary based on location and specific vehicle configuration (trim level, options, etc.) and are subject to credit approval. Advertised payments typically exclude taxes, title, registration, and other potential fees. To take advantage of this offer or to get a precise quote based on your needs (including an official $0 down option), visit the official Acura website here. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Stuff.tv
12-05-2025
- Stuff.tv
Here's why the B&O Beosound A1 3rd Gen is the new premium portable speaker to beat
Stuff Verdict Still possibly the best-looking Bluetooth travel speaker, and now with more low-end muscle. You pay a premium for the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1's signature styling, but it's brilliantly capable all t Pros Gorgeous, uses luxury yet environmentally conscious materials Wonderfully engaging audio Long-lasting battery Cons B&O name carries a significant price premium Not as future-proof as some rivals There are louder outdoor speakers Introduction Every bit of Bang and Olufsen kit sits at a crossroads between gadget and art piece, and the new Beosound A1 is no exception. This (relatively) affordable Bluetooth speaker might be a heck of a lot smaller than the firm's statement-making floor standers, but it's just as iconic. So much so, you might think little has changed for this third generation. Underneath, though, the audio engineers have been hard at work boosting bass response. It means this mini music box should have the low end oomph to rival much larger speakers. Battery life has also been extended, making it even more of an outdoor essential. One or two features from the old model have been jettisoned, though, and the $349/£299/€349 asking price puts an awful lot of room between it and the more mainstream travel speaker crowd. I took one on tour for a week to see how it performs. How we test Hi-Fi products Every speaker, amp and Hi-Fi separate reviewed on Stuff is used for a minimum of a week's worth of daily listening. We use a playlist of test tracks made up of multiple genres to assess sound, and use our years of experience to compare to other models. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. Design & build: pearl-blasted burger bun I'm not sure there's another portable speaker as distinctive as the Beosound A1. The puck-like unit stays true to the two previous versions, keeping the pearl-blasted aluminium top grille with 2173 holes precision-milled across its surface. The polymer underside is built to withstand more punishment, and prevents speaker vibrations passing through to whatever surface you place it on. It's plenty grippy, too. There's some serious heft here, given the whole thing fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Yet at 576g it's not so heavy I wanted to leave it at home, instead of bringing it with me on the move. Shape-wise it's not as easy to say, shove in a bike or bag bottle holder than some rivals, but I had no qualms finding room for it in my backpack's other pockets. My Honey Tone review unit (which lands somewhere between bronze and rose gold) is one of two new colours, the other being Eucalyptus. Bang & Olufsen has also brought back Natural Aluminium. Personally I don't think you can go wrong; all would look comfortable in an interior design catalogue. Danish industrial designer Cecilie Manz was brought back in for a third time to keep the new Beosound A1 looking fresh. The only real changes are to the leather wrist strap's metal fastener, which is a little simpler this time around. It's still water resistant, just like the speaker itself: an IP67 rating means it can shrug off showers and splashes. B&O also get a thumbs up for securing 'Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze' certification – the first Bluetooth speaker to get one – meaning it uses sustainable, recyclable materials. Though with the battery now able to be replaced (by a firm-approved technician, that is), this speaker should hopefully never see the scrapheap. Features & battery: Dane kept a-rollin' The 3rd-gen Beosound A1 keeps things simple, with just a single activity LED on the top subtly integrated into the grille, and a few buttons dotted around the edge for controlling power, playback, volume, and Bluetooth pairing. There's also a microphone mute button, as it still doubles as a speakerphone; the three integrated mics had no trouble picking up my voice when taking calls via my paired smartphone. What you won't find here is any sort of Alexa integration. The outgoing Beosound A1 2nd Gen could piggyback off your phone to ask Amazon's voice assistant questions, despite not having any Wi-Fi on board. Personally I don't miss it, as I usually have my phone close by when using any kind of travel speaker, but it's something to think about if you're an Alexa super-fan. The single USB-C port can be used for wired playback if you're so inclined, but I'm betting most owners will stick with Bluetooth. The Beosound A1 has multipoint connectivity, Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair, which makes getting set up a breeze. aptX Adaptive returns for high quality streaming, though because B&O has gone with Bluetooth 5.1, it rules out getting Auracast connectivity later down the line via software updates. That makes it just a little less future-proof than some rivals. Though I didn't have a second speaker to test it, the Beosound A1 3rd Gen does support stereo pairing. It can also pair with the older A1 2nd Gen if you have one of those already. I was happy to see B&O's claim of improved battery life stack up. The 3300mAh cell inside the A1 3rd Gen gives it a six hour lead over the previous generation speaker, meaning at sensible volume levels I could eke 24 hours of playback per charge. Refuelling isn't the fastest, though, needing several hours on mains power before I was fully recharged. Interface: tune it in, turn it up With those on-device controls you might not instantly reach for the Bang & Olufsen smartphone companion app, but it's worth a download. As well as handling firmware updates and setting up stereo pairing (assuming you have the funds to buy two A1s) it also lets you customise the sound. A few of the five equalizer presets are a bit nebulous (ambient, favourite) while others are a little clearer (party, speech, optimal – which the speaker defaults to). You can create your own, but B&O has rejected the usual multi-band EQ in favour of a simple circle with labels like Energetic and Relaxed. It's a great way to simplify things for owners who might not understand bass or treble frequencies. The app in general doesn't overwhelm you with options, and the layout is as minimal as the speaker itself. Integrating an internet radio player into the app was a clever move, as it means you'll never be short on something to listen to. You can access your Deezer and Tidal libraries here too. Spotify also gets a mention here, though it's a token one – you've got to open the Spotify app proper to pick playlists. Sound quality: let me entertain you B&O has managed to squeeze an 85mm mid/bass driver and 15mm tweeter inside the Beosound A1. They're powered by 30W of Class D amplification, and promise a fair bit more bass this time around. Not to say the old one sounded at all hollow, mind – but I definitely appreciated a little extra oomph when playing my Spotify 'summer dance anthems' playlist. The kicks on Phats & Small's Turn around had real punch. It's not like Bang and Olufsen has cranked the tuning dial to totally favour the low-end, though – but the A1 3rd Gen isn't an analytical listen intended to only please audiophiles, either. This listen leans a little warm, a bit more dynamic than the firm's higher-end gear, just in a way that works so well for the sort of impromptu backing tracks a Bluetooth speaker is best at. Chaism's Isolated kept its soft electronic drum track intact while outdoors, so it's not like the presence falls off once you've left four walls behind. Things are clean and contained at the top-end, with no shortage of detail for such a compact speaker. Vocals have enough presence, with Luude's Big City Life coming through clearly over the relentless snares. Every part of the frequency range is well controlled, with rumble where it's deserved and room for the rest of the mix to breathe when it isn't. There's no obvious crossover point between the two drivers, and volume can be pushed pretty high without affecting the soundstage. OK, it's not going to out-shout speakers several times its size. I've heard similarly travel-friendly speakers get louder, which might be something to consider if you were hoping to supply sound for a pool party. But will it soundtrack a yacht pleasure cruise or après ski session? Absolutely. Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd gen verdict Rugged, long-lasting portable Bluetooth speakers aren't exactly a rarity, but there are far fewer that feel as luxurious as the Beosound A1. It continues to impress in its third generation, with the sound to match its styling. That sound isn't perhaps as loud as some of the cheaper alternatives, admittedly, but the quality is really rather great. So sure, a JBL Flip 7 costs almost a third of the price and has extra goodies like Auracast – but it's nowhere near as easy on the eyes, as repairable, or as much of a style statement as this. If your outdoor speaker needs are more garden party than trail hike (and your budget stretches this far) the B&O should be a top contender. Stuff Says… Score: 5/5 Still possibly the best-looking Bluetooth travel speaker, and now with more low-end muscle. You pay a premium for the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1's signature styling, but it's brilliantly capable all the same. Pros Gorgeous, uses luxury yet environmentally conscious materials Wonderfully engaging audio Long-lasting battery Cons B&O name carries a significant price premium Not as future-proof as some rivals There are louder outdoor speakers Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd gen technical specifications Drivers 1x 3.25in woofer, 1x 0.6in tweeter Amplification 2x 30W class D Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.1 Codecs supported aptX Adaptive, AAC Durability IP67 Battery life Up to 24 hours Dimensions 133x46x133mm, 576g
Hamilton Spectator
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
The Lamborghini Urus SE is terrible value for money. Good!
The Lamborghini Urus SE I am testing comes with a sticker price just under $430,000. Wondering if Lamborghini can objectively justify that price tag? Of course it can't. For that money, you could buy two fully loaded Porsche Cayenne Turbos — a vehicle with which the Urus shares both a platform and a number of fundamental components. The Urus SE even uses the same twin-turbocharged, 4.0-litre V8 with hybrid boost, as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo — which is actually an Audi-derived unit — albeit with some special tuning from Lamborghini. The Urus SE Makes about 789 horsepower and will do 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, where the Cayenne Turbo has to make do with only 729 horsepower and 3.7 seconds, respectively. Grading the Urus SE on a $400,000-curve, you start to get unreasonably judgy, even paranoid. The paddle shifters feel kinda plastic-y. The Bang and Olufsen sound system lacks amplified fidelity. Hey, are those the same automatic window buttons they use on the Audi Q7? I don't actually know if any of those things are true. But I can tell you I wouldn't have had any of those thoughts in a $150,000 SUV. When I asked non-enthusiast friends to sit in the driver seat and guess the price tag of the Urus SE, to a person they said, '$150,000.' And yeah, I'd say that's what it objectively feels like to drive and use as an everyday car. As a plug-in hybrid, the Urus SE can be driven up to 60 km on battery power alone, and doing that makes the experience especially ubiquitous. It feels like driving an electric SUV. Any electric SUV. The end. Lamborghini themselves aren't shy about this fact. 'We wanted to build a car with the possibility to be an everyday driver,' Lamborghini CEO of Americas Andrea Baldi told the Star during the launch of the new Temerario supercar. Living with the Urus SE for a few days confirmed something I had long suspected about all cars — tangible value of any vehicle basically tops out around $150,000 to $175,000. But you don't buy a Lamborghini because you're interested in great value. You buy a Lamborghini because you demand hot, sticky, dripping, pure, uncut dopamine. Finishing his remark on the accessibility of the Urus, Baldi said, 'We wanted to offer our customers a driving experience that was the best part of their day, every day — not just on weekends.' So, big question: Can an electrified SUV be the best part of your day? If it's a Lamborghini? Definitely. Dip out of the hybrid 'Stada' mode and select Sport or Corsa and you're met with pure violence. The exhaust note becomes a roaring cacophony of snap-crackle-bangs — causing nearby pedestrians to JUMP. Stand close enough to the exhaust, you can feel a deep thumping into your chest, as though your heart is trying to escape through your spine. The throttle response becomes sharp and edgy, and the grip is so tremendous, you can rip the more-than-5,500-lbs. SUV around corners with such ferocity, it beggars belief. The steering may not offer sportscar-like feedback, but, goddamn, is it responsive. It translates your ham-fisted inputs into silk. The transmission shifts lightning quick. Literally. Floor it from a dig and all hell breaks loose in the most hilarious way possible. Clocking a 0-100 km/h time becomes about as appealing as timing how long you're having sex. And it even does off-road-y things. Select one of the off-road modes such as Neve, Sabia or Terra and the suspension will raise several inches, become more compliant and distribute traction accordingly for maximum fun … er … I mean, control. Whipping through rain-soaked back roads, kicking up puddles to make massive rooster tails and soaring over rough terrain probably isn't something I would do with any other Lamborghini (well, OK, maybe the Sterrato). And to the credit of Lamborghini, the reps, including Baldi, were delighted when I recounted my experience to them. 'Where did you take it? Which mode did you like best? Did you feel how much grip? Isn't that chassis incredible? Did you launch it?' You rarely get that kind of engagement and thrill from a manufacturer after beating up on their tester. And it's perhaps why Lamborghini fans are so willing to pay for a badge. Because it's fun. The most compelling evidence that a hybrid SUV is a real Lamborghini? It made people's day to see it. Driving it down the street, kids chased after it, adults stopped to take pictures. All begged for me to rev the engine. How could I not? Baldi proudly proclaims that this was integral to the design brief, 'If you look at the Urus, you have no doubt that it's a Lamborghini,' he says. 'We can't hide who we are. We're not afraid to make a statement.' That's why you pay $430,000 for one of these. Because you're not making anybody's day in a Kia Givenuponlife or Hyundai Sockswithsandals or whatever their latest soulsucking bucket of nothing is called. A bright orange Lamborghini — even if it's an SUV, makes the world a more interesting, vibrant and exciting place. That's Lamborghini's 'value proposition' and their line in the sand. 'It's not a choice between Lamborghini and competitors in the segment,' says Baldi 'For our customers, it's a natural choice to have a Lamborghini.' The most memorable experiences in life are not 'great value.' They're the most unique and exciting. And by that metric, as hybrid SUVs go, nothing else even comes close to the Urus SE. Type: Front-engine, all-wheel drive SUV Engine : Twin turbo, 4.0-litre V8, combined with an electric powertrain, 789 horsepower, 701 pounds feet of torque Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Fuel (Premium 93): 12.5 litres/100 km in the city; 11.2l/100 km on the highway; 12.9l/100 km combined Cargo: 574 litres, or 20.3 cubic feet Price: $432,490, as tested
