Short answer: the 2nd gen, and it isn’t close on value. It ranks #10 out of 133 medium speakers at $200. The 3rd gen ranks #18 at $399.
The newer model has less bass, not more. Our notes on the 3rd gen record that it does not reach as deep as the 2nd gen and distorts more easily when pushed with deep content, plus a dipped area in the upper mids. Paying double for a measurable step backwards is a hard recommendation to make.
What the 3rd gen does add: 24 hours of battery against 18, and 60 W of rated output. Both weigh 558 g and both are IP67.
Know this about both: the 2nd gen has pumping DSP artefacts above about 60% volume, so it is genuinely a low-to-moderate-volume speaker. Neither is stereo. If you want one of these, you are buying the aluminium shell, the leather strap and the industrial design — which is a legitimate reason, and B&O executes it better than anyone.
Buy the 2nd gen if you want the A1 at all. It measures better and costs half as much.
Buy neither on sound grounds. The medium size ranking has speakers at a quarter of the 3rd gen’s price ranked higher — the EarFun UBoom L takes first place at $50. See the portable buyer’s guide for the case that buying on styling is fine as long as you know the gap you are paying for.
Last updated: August 07, 2026
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #10 of 133 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 133 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | — |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms | — |
| Max Volume | 93dB | — |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 g | 1.2 lbs / 558 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX Adaptive | AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Power Input | USB-C | — |
| Driver | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| Bluetooth Version | — | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | — | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Output Power | — | 60W |
The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: $200 Amazon
Pros: More neutral than the first A1
Cons: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as the A1. Pumping sound artifacts above 60% volume, only good for lower listening levels.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Driver | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- Alan Ross Reviews: B&O Beoplay A1 2nd gen vs Minirig mk3 bluetooth speaker
- Alan Ross Reviews: B&O Beoplay A1 2nd gen vs Minirig mk3 bluetooth speaker
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Plus vs Beoplay A1 2nd gen - The Match!
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Beoplay A1 outdoors with a bit of Anker Soundcore Motion+ too
- Oluv Patreon: (Anker) Soundcore Motion 300 - first impressions
- Links
B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: $399.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). IP67 rated with a serviceable, replaceable battery - the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification. Multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive.
Cons: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids. Not as deep of bass as the 2nd gen
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Driver | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - soundcheck
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor test
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 7, 2026 at 5:43 AM UTC 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.