Short answer: the Beosound A1 3rd gen, it’s the clearly stronger performer. The A1 ranks #18 and the Muo gen2 ranks #76 out of 142 medium portable speakers, for $149.01 more.
The Muo gen2’s bass tuning has real problems beyond just lacking depth. Its review notes the bass is very thuddy and distorts as volume increases, and the claimed 43Hz extension is really only audible at low listening volumes, with a few seconds of lag after volume changes. It also loses most of its bass off-axis, and its own review says it appears to be the exact same hardware as the original Muo, just with updated tuning that fixed the rolled-off treble and overall balance the first Muo had. Customer reviews cited in that same review are mixed, ranging from praise for detail at low volume to complaints of a boxy, hollow sound.
The A1 3rd gen has its own tradeoffs against its predecessor, though nothing as severe. It distorts more easily than the 2nd gen when pushed into deeper bass, has a dipped area in the upper mids, and doesn’t reach quite as deep as the 2nd gen. Its real win is battery life, about 24 hours at sensible volumes, longer than the 2nd gen.
What the A1 adds: a serviceable, replaceable battery with Cradle to Cradle certification, multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in microphone, and onboard EQ, none of which the Muo gen2’s spec sheet lists.
What the Muo gen2 adds: Auracast party-mode pairing and stereo pairing support, both absent from the A1’s spec sheet.
Buy the A1 3rd gen for the more reliable overall performance and its unique replaceable-battery design.
Buy the Muo gen2 only if the KEF design and lower price outweigh its documented bass distortion and off-axis dropoff.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | KEF Muo gen2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $249.99 |
| Ranked | #18 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #76 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | 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 | 1.6 lbs / 740 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 KHz 24 bit |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 8.5" x 3.2" x 2.3" (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Output Power | 60W | 40W |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Auracast) |
| Frequency Response | - | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | - | 90dB |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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 3rd gen: $399.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
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 | SBC, 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 |
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KEF Muo gen2: $249.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance
Cons: Lacking deeper bass. Very thuddy bass. Appears to be the exact same hardware but with updated tuning. Bass distorts as volume increases, and the claimed 43Hz extension is really only audible at low listening volumes, with a few seconds of lag after volume changes. Loses most of its bass off-axis. Customer reviews are mixed, ranging from praise for detail at low volume to complaints of a boxy, hollow sound.
Full KEF Muo gen2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 KHz 24 bit |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.2" x 2.3" (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 90dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs / 740 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons