Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It ranks #10 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $200; the JBL Charge 5 Wifi ranks #25 and costs $250, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen offers: More neutral than the first A1. Set against that: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as the A1.
The case for the JBL Charge 5 Wifi: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version. The catch: Not stereo. Warm sound.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 5 Wifi and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | JBL Charge 5 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $250 |
| Ranked | #10 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes (dual microphones) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms | - |
| Max Volume | 93dB | 99dB |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 g | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX Adaptive | AAC, SBC |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | - | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| Output Power | - | 40W |
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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.
Full B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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JBL Charge 5 Wifi: $250 Amazon
Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
Full JBL Charge 5 Wifi review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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