Short answer: the discontinued B&O Beoplay A2 active ranks higher for sound, while the Bose SoundLink Plus is the lower-cost, weatherproof choice that is easier to buy new. The B&O ranks #16 of 93 large portable speakers at $400. The Bose ranks #25 at $179, a $221 saving, and adds IP67 protection plus stereo pairing.
Buy the B&O Beoplay A2 active only if its True360 two-sided sound is the feature you want and you are comfortable shopping discontinued stock, without stereo playback or water resistance.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus if you want a currently available IP67 speaker with stereo pairing, party mode, and a 20-hour rated battery, while accepting boosted bass that is not especially deep.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Bose SoundLink Plus at IP67 (brief submersion) against the B&O Beoplay A2 active, which has no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beoplay A2 active | Bose SoundLink Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #16 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 5.6” x 1.7” (256 x 142 x 44 mm) | 9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3” fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75” tweeters + 2x 3” passive radiators | 1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (carry strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to B&O Beoplay A2 active:
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Marshall Stockwell II vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beoplay A2 active: $400 Discontinued eBay
Pros: B&O’s True360 sound from both sides. Customizable sound via Beoplay app. 22 hour battery (improved from original A2). Stereo pairing with a second A2 Active. Splash/dustproof, USB-C charging. ~1.1 kg with carry strap.
Cons: Not stereo. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full B&O Beoplay A2 active review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 5.6” x 1.7” (256 x 142 x 44 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3” fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75” tweeters + 2x 3” passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (carry strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Select Pro
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Bose SoundLink Max
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs JBL Xtreme 3
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Motion X600
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Marshall Stockwell II
- See all 24 comparisons
Bose SoundLink Plus: $179.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated, IP67 water/dustproof. Close to 20 hour battery life. Vibrant sound with booming bass, clean mids. Bluetooth 5.4 with good range. Premium tactile grille, smooth silicone. Quality build at $179.
Cons: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.
Full Bose SoundLink Plus review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 3.4” (231 x 99 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5” (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78” (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs onn Portable FM Boombox
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Bogasing S8 Pro Max
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Soundcore Motion X500
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Sonos Move 2
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Teufel Rockster Cross 2
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Sonos Move
- See all 86 comparisons