Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It ranks #19 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $399. The B&O Beosound Explore ranks #142, rated 2.5/5, at $294.99, $104.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding option. A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound Explore lacks. The tradeoff: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
What the B&O Beosound Explore does well: A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. The catch: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $104.01 you would save on the B&O Beosound Explore does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last.
A rugged waterproof speaker with an anodized aluminum design, a strap and carabiner, and a long real world battery.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | B&O Beosound Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $294.99 |
| Ranked | #19 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #142 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 1.4 lbs (631 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 3.2” x 4.9” x 3.2” (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 2x 1.8” (46mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 60W |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | Yes (carabiner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~70Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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