Short answer: the 2nd gen, and it isn’t close on value. It ranks #10 out of 142 medium speakers at $395. The 3rd gen ranks #18 at $396.91.
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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $396.91 |
| Ranked | #10 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 142 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 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 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen:
- Earfun Uboom L vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion 300
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
Prices on this page were last checked September 21, 2026 at 12:46 AM 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.
The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: $395.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen uses 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter. Its 558 g, claimed 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 58Hz specification.
Full B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2"W x 5.2"D x 1.8"H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | 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 More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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 More from alanrossreviews →
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs B&O Beosound A1
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs JBL Charge 6
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs JBL Flip 6
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Minirig 3
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs JBL Flip 7
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Minirig 4
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
- See all 64 comparisons
B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: $396.91 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
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
Full B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Tribit Maxsound Plus/Thunderbox Plus
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Flip 7
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Harman Kardon Luna 2
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Flip 6
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Harman Kardon Luna
- See all 59 comparisons