Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It ranks #11 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $395. The B&O Beosound Explore ranks #142, rated 2.5/5, at $294.99, $100.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the B&O Beosound Explore. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound Explore lacks.
The B&O Beosound Explore is the longer-running choice. A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery. It is rated for 27 hours of battery against 18 for the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. The catch: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $100.01 saving on the B&O Beosound Explore is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel.
A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #11 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | ~70Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) | 60W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (carabiner) |
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