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 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XB30 ranks #133 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XB30’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 3, is rated 3.4/5 at $208.
The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is the better-sounding, lighter choice. A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel. At 1.2 lbs (558 g) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XB30 at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sony SRS-XB30. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB.
The Sony SRS-XB30 is the longer-running option. A splash resistant Sony speaker with LDAC, a power bank output, a long rated battery and Party Chain linking, now discontinued. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 18 for the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen lacks. The catch: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Sony SRS-XB30 is no longer sold new.
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 splash resistant Sony speaker with LDAC, a power bank output, a long rated battery and Party Chain linking, now discontinued.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | Sony SRS-XB30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $199 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #133 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) | 20W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | - |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
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