Short answer: the Soundcore Select Pro. It ranks #15 of 78 large speakers by sound quality at $80; the B&O Beoplay A2 active ranks #16 and costs $400, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
On the B&O Beoplay A2 active side: B&O’s True360 sound from both sides. The catch: Not stereo.
The case for the Soundcore Select Pro: Sounds almost exactly like the Motion Boom. The catch: Boosted bass, rolled off treble.
One note: the B&O Beoplay A2 active is discontinued, but it still ranks #16 of 78 large speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Soundcore Select Pro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beoplay A2 active and costs less, so the other one has nothing left to offer.
If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beoplay A2 active is rated for 24 hours versus 16 hours for the Soundcore Select Pro.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Soundcore Select Pro at IPX7 (brief submersion) against the B&O Beoplay A2 active, which has no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beoplay A2 active | Soundcore Select Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #16 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #15 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX7 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg |
| App | No | Yes (Users say it works) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 5.6" x 1.7" (256 x 142 x 44 mm) | 13.6" x 5.8" x 7.9" (346 x 148 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3" fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 2x 3" passive radiators | 2x 2.75" fullrange + 2x 2.5" passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 60W | 30W |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 106dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Soundcore Select Pro compares with other leading options:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Soundcore Select Pro
Prices on this page were last checked September 11, 2026 at 8:40 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- 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 2
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- See all 24 comparisons
Soundcore Select Pro: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: A tough 1.5kg speaker with IPX7 protection, app EQ, a claimed 16-hour battery life, USB-C charging, power-bank output and PartyCast for linking up to 100 compatible speakers. It reaches a useful 106dB maximum level and offers a lively, bass-forward sound for casual outdoor use.
Cons: Independent lab listening finds only fair music fidelity: bass is somewhat boomy and lacks deep extension, mids can sound nasal and congested, and treble becomes smeared or sizzly. It strains at high volume, lacks an aux input and is discontinued, so it is best chosen for features and durability rather than detail or neutral sound. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Select Pro review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Users say it works) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 5.8" x 7.9" (346 x 148 x 200 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 2.75" fullrange + 2x 2.5" passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 106dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Bose SoundLink Max
- Soundcore Select Pro vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Marshall Stockwell 2
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- See all 38 comparisons