Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 for better sound quality, the JBL Charge 5 for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 ranks #9 of 136 medium speakers at $200. The JBL Charge 5 ranks #26 at $134.95, $65.05 cheaper.
On the B&O Beosound A1 side: Deeper bass than the A1 2nd gen. Watch for: Not stereo. Not quite as neutral as the A1 2nd gen.
What the JBL Charge 5 gets right: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Warm sound.
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 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Charge 5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 | JBL Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 Discontinued | $134.95 |
| Ranked | #9 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes (dual microphones) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 99dB |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | AAC, SBC |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Drivers | 15mm tweeter + 83mm mid/bass driver | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Output Power | 60W total (30W each driver) | 40W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 125ms |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | - | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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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.
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JBL Charge 5: $134.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life.
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.
Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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