Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 3i for a lower-cost, bass-forward portable speaker. It ranks #29 of 142 medium portable speakers at $118.99, while the Beosound A1 2nd gen ranks #10 at $395. The B&O offers premium materials and codecs, but the Soundcore delivers more output-oriented hardware for $276.01 less.
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 558 g it is lighter than the 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.
What the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen gets right: More neutral than the first A1. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as the A1.
What the Soundcore Boom 3i offers: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. Set against that: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close.
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.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | Soundcore Boom 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $395.00 | $118.99 |
| Ranked | #10 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 142 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 | - |
| Max Volume | 93dB | - |
| 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 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 |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | - | 8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Output Power | - | 50W |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 11, 2026 at 8:40 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 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.
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 783 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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