Short answer: the B&O Beoplay A2 active if sound quality matters most, the Marshall Middleton if price matters most. The B&O Beoplay A2 active ranks #16 of 77 large speakers at $400. The Marshall Middleton ranks #31 at $224.90, $175.10 cheaper.
What the B&O Beoplay A2 active offers: B&O’s True360 sound from both sides. Customizable sound via Beoplay app. 22 hour battery (improved from original A2). The catch: Not stereo.
On the Marshall Middleton side: Very deep bass for the size/weight. Watch for: 5db dip at 1.7khz and 6.3khz. 9khz treble peak. Not a very smooth frequency response.
Buy the B&O Beoplay A2 active if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Marshall Middleton if the price matters more than sound quality.
Water resistance is not close: the Marshall Middleton is rated at IPX7 (brief submersion), well ahead of the B&O Beoplay A2 active at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beoplay A2 active | Marshall Middleton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $224.90 |
| Ranked | #16 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| 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 | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 5.6" x 1.7" (256 x 142 x 44 mm) | 9.1" x 3.7" x 4.3" (230 x 95 x 109 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3" fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 2x 3" passive radiators | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625" tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 60W | 50W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
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How B&O Beoplay A2 active compares with other leading options:
- 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 2 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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.
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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. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beoplay A2 active review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Marshall Middleton: $224.90 Amazon eBay
Pros: Very deep bass for the size/weight.
Cons: 5db dip at 1.7khz and 6.3khz. 9khz treble peak. Not a very smooth frequency response. A lot of Marshall’s added dsp echo which cannot be turned off, very distracting and annoying. It’s like forcing you to listen to your music in an echo chamber. Bass is reasonably deep but artificial sounding and flabby, with no attack and no dynamics. Treble is rolled off.
Full Marshall Middleton review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 3.7" x 4.3" (230 x 95 x 109 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625" tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: 3 minutes ago….. Marshall Middleton Review, true stereophonic, no honestly 😊 More from alanrossreviews →
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- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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