Short answer: the B&O Beosound A5 for better sound quality, the Marshall Kilburn III for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A5 ranks #12 of 97 large speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $1,650. The Marshall Kilburn III ranks #41, rated 3.8/5, at $379.99, $1,270.01 cheaper.
The B&O Beosound A5 is the better-sounding choice. Ip65 protection, up to 101db and mono playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use.
The Marshall Kilburn III is the longer-running, lighter pick. Spacious soundstage with broad stereo dispersion from Marshall’s True Stereophonic multi-driver layout, delivering warm, room-filling sound with 45Hz bass extension. It is rated for 50 hours of battery against 12 for the B&O Beosound A5. At 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the B&O Beosound A5 at 8.5 lbs (3.86 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound A5 lacks. Watch for: Noticeable dips in the midrange compromise frequency response neutrality, making vocals and acoustic instruments sound somewhat recessed or muffled compared to more linear competitors like the JBL Xtreme 4 unless the bass dial is dialed back.
Buy the B&O Beosound A5 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Marshall Kilburn III when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A5 | Marshall Kilburn III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,650.00 | $379.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| IP Rating | IP65 | IP54 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.86 kg) | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.2” x 7.4” x 5.1” (285 x 187 x 130 mm) | 10.7” x 5.9” x 6.7” (272 x 150 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer, 2x 2” fullrange, 0.8” tweeter | 1x 4” woofer + 2x 2” full-range drivers |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 20kHz |
| Amplifier Power | 280W | 50W |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (Manufacturer specified) | 91dB |
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) | 50 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM 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 A5: $1,650.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: At 3.86 kg, B&O Beosound A5 combines 5.25” woofer, 2x 2” fullrange, 0.8” tweeter with Bluetooth and aux. Ip65 protection, up to 101db and mono playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Reviews find the sound fairly neutral.
Cons: Bass is limited by its 32Hz to 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment.
Full B&O Beosound A5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 280W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 11.2” x 7.4” x 5.1” (285 x 187 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer, 2x 2” fullrange, 0.8” tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs (3.86 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beosound A5 vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- B&O Beosound A5 vs Marshall Stockwell II
- B&O Beosound A5 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- B&O Beosound A5 vs Bose SoundLink Max
- B&O Beosound A5 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- B&O Beosound A5 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- B&O Beosound A5 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- B&O Beosound A5 vs JBL Xtreme 5
- See all 18 comparisons
Marshall Kilburn III: $379.99 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Marshall Kilburn II (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Spacious soundstage with broad stereo dispersion from Marshall’s True Stereophonic multi-driver layout, delivering warm, room-filling sound with 45Hz bass extension. Independent physical bass and treble dials allow quick tonal adjustments on the fly, backed by app-based EQ and placement compensation. Battery life is outstanding at up to 50+ hours with USB-C power-bank charging, IP54 splash resistance, 3.5mm aux input, and Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast broadcast support. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Noticeable dips in the midrange compromise frequency response neutrality, making vocals and acoustic instruments sound somewhat recessed or muffled compared to more linear competitors like the JBL Xtreme 4 unless the bass dial is dialed back. Kilburn II retains slightly punchier perceived loudness at maximum volume due to a more aggressive V-shaped contour. At 2.85 kg with only IP54 splash resistance, it is heavy and cannot withstand water immersion. Lacks a built-in microphone and LDAC codec support.
Full Marshall Kilburn III review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 50 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.7” x 5.9” x 6.7” (272 x 150 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4” woofer + 2x 2” full-range drivers |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Kilburn III vs Marshall Kilburn II
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