Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen for better sound quality, the Xiaomi Sound Party for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 of 136 medium speakers at $399. The Xiaomi Sound Party ranks #19 at $133.62, $265.38 cheaper.
The case for the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: 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. Watch for: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids.
On the Xiaomi Sound Party side: Sounds pretty balanced overall, more neutral than the Charge 5. Nice passive radiator visual effect. The tradeoff: Bass can sound slightly thuddy at high volume, 180hz peak. Can’t match the Soundcore Boom 2 on raw bass output and loudness.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Xiaomi Sound Party if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | Xiaomi Sound Party | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $133.62 |
| Ranked | #18 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 g | 2.6 lbs / 1200 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) | 10" x 3.6" x 3.6" (255 x 92 x 92 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Output Power | 60W | 50W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 54Hz |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | - | 102dB |
| Power Input | - | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) |
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- Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- JBL Flip 7 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- JBL Flip 6 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
- 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 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
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- See all 13 comparisons
Xiaomi Sound Party: $133.62 Aliexpress
Pros: Sounds pretty balanced overall, more neutral than the Charge 5. Nice passive radiator visual effect. Plays clean out of the box, unlike the JBL Charge 6’s default tuning, which has noticeable mid distortion. Better off-axis dispersion than the VIFA Helsinki thanks to its tweeter. One of the best-performing speakers for its price and size.
Cons: Bass can sound slightly thuddy at high volume, 180hz peak. Can’t match the Soundcore Boom 2 on raw bass output and loudness. Bass and treble are noticeably boosted by default, which listeners who prefer a neutral sound may want to EQ down.
Full Xiaomi Sound Party review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10" x 3.6" x 3.6" (255 x 92 x 92 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm woofers (35W total) + 2x 15mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 102dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs / 1200 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Xiaomi Sound Party - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party - first look
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Xiaomi Sound Party vs Boom 2 & Helsinki
- Alan Ross: JBL Charge 6 vs Xiaomi Sound Party – Honest No-BS Comparison
- Alan Ross: Xiaomi Sound Party or Soundcore Boom 2 - 4 db louder?!
- Grimluck: XIAOMI Sound Party Review and Comparison (Jbl charge and Xiaomi outdoor)
- Jefferson C: XIAOMI Sound Party 2025
- Reddit Search for Xiaomi Sound Party Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs JBL Flip 7
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs JBL Flip 6
- Xiaomi Sound Party vs JBL Charge 5
- See all 15 comparisons