Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Boom 3i for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 ranks #9 of 136 medium speakers at $200. The Soundcore Boom 3i ranks #27 at $110, $90 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 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.
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 Soundcore Boom 3i if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beosound A1 is rated for 24 hours versus 16 hours for the Soundcore Boom 3i.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A1 | Soundcore Boom 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 Discontinued | $110 |
| Ranked | #9 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g | 1.7 lbs / 783 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Drivers | 15mm tweeter + 83mm mid/bass driver | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| Output Power | 60W total (30W each driver) | 50W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | - | 8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 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
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared More from Oluv’Sone →
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or Beosound A1 (1st gen) - ultimate compact speaker 😇
- 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
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Reddit Search for B&O Beosound A1 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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