Short answer: the Charge 6 for most people, the Beosound A1 2nd gen if design and portability matter more than price. They rank #10 and #11 out of 142 medium speakers, essentially a tie, but $195.05 separates them.
Both speakers are pitched as more neutral than their predecessors, with real caveats. The Beosound A1 2nd gen’s pros call out that it is more neutral than the original A1, though its cons note it is not stereo, has less bass depth than the A1, and can show pumping artifacts above 60% volume, limiting it to lower listening levels. The Charge 6’s pros describe a flatter response through the mids and treble than the noticeably rolled-off Charge 5, and it responds well to a custom EQ preset on its own page. Its cons are still a boosted-bass, somewhat V-shaped signature with recessed mids and some brightness above 2kHz.
The Charge 6 is the more versatile speaker outside pure sound quality. It reaches a louder 102dB max volume against 93dB for the Beosound A1 2nd gen, extends bass slightly deeper at 53Hz versus 58Hz, runs 24 hours on a charge versus 18, doubles as a USB-C power bank, and adds Auracast party mode. The Beosound A1 2nd gen counters with a built-in microphone, aptX Adaptive codec support, and a noticeably smaller and lighter body at 558g versus 990g for the Charge 6.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 if you want the better all-around value, longer battery life, and the ability to link with other speakers.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen if you prioritize its compact, premium design and don’t mind paying more or giving up stereo and some bass depth.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | JBL Charge 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #10 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms | - |
| Max Volume | 93dB | 102dB |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 g | 2.2 lbs / 990 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC |
| 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 | - | Yes (Auracast) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | - | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 45W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for 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
- Minirig 3 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
Prices on this page were last checked September 9, 2026 at 6:54 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
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.
Cons: Bass is limited by its 58Hz specification.
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 | SBC, 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 |
- 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 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 Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion+
- See all 23 comparisons
JBL Charge 6: $199.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. Use this EQ from Joy/Oluv and turn down the lowest bass slider for the best sound quality. Oluv has even more paid EQs specifically for the GG and TL models indoors and outdoors here
Cons: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2khz. Quite a V shaped frequency response.
Full JBL Charge 6 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 102dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 45W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ?
- Oluv Patreon: An evening with the “best portable speakers”?
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Plus vs JBL Charge 6 - fight!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5 More from GYMCADDY →
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 6 - good or bad?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
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