Short answer: the 2nd gen, and it isn’t close on value. It ranks #11 out of 177 medium speakers at $395. The 3rd gen ranks #19 at $379.
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 1.2 lbs (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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $379.00 |
| Ranked | #11 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 177 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 | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) | 60W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (built-in strap) |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: