Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen if sound quality matters most, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 if price matters most. The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 of 142 medium speakers at $381.52. The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 ranks #86 at $191.99, $189.53 cheaper.
What the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen offers: 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. Watch for: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids. Not as deep of bass as the 2nd gen
What the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 offers: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. 20 hour battery life - about double most speakers this size. Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2018. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $381.52 | $191.99 |
| Ranked | #18 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #86 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) | 2 lbs (925 g) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 70Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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: $381.52 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- 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
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Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: $191.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. 20 hour battery life - about double most speakers this size. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2018. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 8.9" x 3.4" (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2 lbs (925 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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