Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen on measured sound quality, the JBL Charge 5 on price. The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranks #11 of 164 medium speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $395. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #30, rated 4.0/5, at $139.95, $255.05 cheaper.
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.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | JBL Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $139.95 |
| Ranked | #11 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 164 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 | 125ms |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, 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 |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) | 40W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: $395.00 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5.
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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| 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 vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- Alan Ross Reviews: B&O Beoplay A1 2nd gen vs Minirig mk3 bluetooth speaker More from alanrossreviews →
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JBL Charge 5: $139.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the JBL Charge 6, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.
Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8” x 3.8” x 3.7” (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs (960 g) |
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