Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen for better sound quality, the Soundcore Boom 3i for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 of 136 medium speakers at $399. The Soundcore Boom 3i ranks #27 at $110, $289 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 Soundcore Boom 3i gets right: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. The tradeoff: 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 3rd gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is rated for 24 hours versus 16 hours for the Soundcore Boom 3i.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Soundcore Boom 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $110 |
| Ranked | #18 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Output Power | 60W | 50W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
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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.
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- Reddit Search for B&O Beosound A1 3rd 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
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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