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 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XB30 ranks #133 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XB30’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 3, is rated 3.4/5 at $208.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding, lighter pick. A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last. At 1.2 lbs (558 g) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XB30 at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sony SRS-XB30. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
Why pick the Sony SRS-XB30: A splash resistant Sony speaker with LDAC, a power bank output, a long rated battery and Party Chain linking, now discontinued. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. The tradeoff: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Sony SRS-XB30 is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last.
A splash resistant Sony speaker with LDAC, a power bank output, a long rated battery and Party Chain linking, now discontinued.
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Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Sony SRS-XB30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $199 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #19 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #133 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 20W |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
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