Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen on measured sound quality, the Soundcore Boom 3i on price. The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranks #11 of 164 medium speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $395. The Soundcore Boom 3i ranks #31, rated 4.0/5, at $118.99, $276.01 cheaper.
Boom 3i is the value-focused alternative to a JBL Charge-style speaker. Its warm, boosted-bass balance aims at the Charge 5 sound, and it combines a 94mm woofer with a tweeter, 50W output, IP68 protection, a 16-hour claimed battery, AAC support, and app EQ. It does not quite match the Charge 5 for loudness or balance, and early firmware could cause bass distortion, so update it through the Soundcore app.
The A1 2nd gen is the smaller premium speaker. At 1.2 lbs (558 g) it is lighter than the 1.7 lbs (783 g) Boom 3i, supports AAC and aptX Adaptive, and includes a microphone. It has IP67 protection, an 18-hour claimed battery, and a 93dB maximum level, but it is mono and its 58Hz bass extension limits the weight it can bring to music.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i for $276.01 less, with more output, IP68 protection, app EQ, and a warmer bass-forward presentation.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen if lighter weight, premium finish, a microphone, and aptX Adaptive matter more than output and value.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | Soundcore Boom 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $118.99 |
| Ranked | #11 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 164 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 1.7 lbs (783 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| Dimensions | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) | 8.3” x 3.3” x 3.1” (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) | 50W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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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 →
- 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
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- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
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Soundcore Boom 3i: $118.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. Better value for the money than the Charge 5. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close. An earlier firmware version had some bass distortion, update your firmware in the Soundcore App
Full Soundcore Boom 3i review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.3” x 3.1” (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (783 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 3i vs JBL Charge 5
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