Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1. It ranks #9 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $200; the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 and costs $399, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the B&O Beosound A1 gets right: Deeper bass than the A1 2nd gen. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Not quite as neutral as the A1 2nd gen.
What the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen offers: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). Set against that: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
One note: the B&O Beosound A1 is discontinued, but it still ranks #9 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 Discontinued | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #9 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g | 1.2 lbs / 558 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Drivers | 15mm tweeter + 83mm mid/bass driver | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| Output Power | 60W total (30W each driver) | 60W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | - | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beosound A1: $200 Discontinued
Pros: Deeper bass than the A1 2nd gen.
Cons: Not stereo. Not quite as neutral as the A1 2nd gen. Pumping sound artifacts above 60% volume, only good for lower listening levels. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beosound A1 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 15mm tweeter + 83mm mid/bass driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 60W total (30W each driver) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Beoplay A1 outdoors with a bit of Anker Soundcore Motion+ too
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
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- Reddit Search for B&O Beosound A1 Review
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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 More from Oluv’Sone →
- 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
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