Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen for better sound quality, the Soundcore Boom 3i for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranks #10 of 136 medium speakers at $200. The Soundcore Boom 3i ranks #27 at $110, $90 cheaper.
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 B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | Soundcore Boom 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $110 |
| Ranked | #10 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 136 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 | 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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The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: $200 Amazon
Pros: More neutral than the first A1
Cons: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as the A1. Pumping sound artifacts above 60% volume, only good for lower listening levels.
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 | 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Reddit Search for B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen Review
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Soundcore Boom 3i: $110 Amazon Bhphotovideo
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
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