Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi for sheer output. Our notes call it the loudest speaker in the category, though its bass is boosted. The B&O Beoplay A2 active answers with B&O’s True360 sound from both sides at $400 against $389.95, but it is not stereo.
One note: the B&O Beoplay A2 active is discontinued, but it still ranks #16 of 120 large speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the B&O Beoplay A2 active at $400 if you want a large speaker. Buy the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi at $389.95 if you want a boombox speaker instead.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the B&O Beoplay A2 active at no water resistance.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beoplay A2 active | JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $389.95 |
| Ranked | #16 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.1” x 5.6” x 1.7” (256 x 142 x 44 mm) | 19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3” fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75” tweeters + 2x 3” passive radiators | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (carry strap) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 43Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| USB Playback | - | No |
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