Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen for better sound quality, the JBL Charge Essential 2 for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 of 136 medium speakers at $399. The JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #35 at $130, $269 cheaper.
On the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen side: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). Watch for: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
What the JBL Charge Essential 2 gets right: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge Essential 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $130 |
| Ranked | #18 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 g | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX Adaptive | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Output Power | 60W | 40W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~55Hz |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Huawei Sound Joy vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Huawei Sound Joy vs KEF Muo gen2
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Harman Kardon Luna
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Flip 7 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: $399.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). IP67 rated with a serviceable, replaceable battery - the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification. Multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive.
Cons: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids. Not as deep of bass as the 2nd gen
Full B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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 - outdoor sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - soundcheck
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor test
- Reddit Search for B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Harman Kardon Luna
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Flip 7
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Flip 6
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Charge 6
- See all 23 comparisons
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Close to Charge 5 performance at a lower price.
Cons: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Teufel Rockster XS
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Pulse 5
- See all 23 comparisons