Short answer: the B&O Beosound A5 for better sound quality, the Marshall Middleton II for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A5 ranks #12 of 105 large speakers, rated 4.5/5, at $1,650. The Marshall Middleton II ranks #31, rated 4.1/5, at $329.99, $1,320.01 cheaper.
The B&O Beosound A5 is the better-sounding option. Ip65 protection, up to 101db and mono playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use.
The Marshall Middleton II is the longer-running, lighter option. Very deep bass for the size/weight. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 12 for the B&O Beosound A5. At 4 lbs (1.8 kg) it weighs much less than the B&O Beosound A5 at 8.5 lbs (3.86 kg). It is rated IP67 against IP65 for the B&O Beosound A5. The tradeoff: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange.
Buy the B&O Beosound A5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Marshall Middleton II if the price matters more than sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound A5 | Marshall Middleton II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,650.00 | $329.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| IP Rating | IP65 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| 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) | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (5 band) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.2” x 7.4” x 5.1” (285 x 187 x 130 mm) | 9.1” x 3.9” x 4.3” (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” woofer, 2x 2” fullrange, 0.8” tweeter | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 280W | 80W |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Battery Life | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 38Hz |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 $1,650.00 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 →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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 17 comparisons
Marshall Middleton II: $329.99 Amazon $329.99 eBay
Older model: the Marshall Middleton (ranked lower, rated 4/5). See every Marshall Portable Speakers generation.
Same family: the Marshall Willen II (smaller model, rated 4/5), the Marshall Emberton III (smaller model, rated 2.7/5), the Marshall Stockwell III (larger model, ranked lower, rated 3/5) and the Marshall Kilburn III (larger model, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Very deep bass for the size/weight. Measured bass extension of 38Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass boosted which drowns out the midrange. Dip around 200Hz, peak at 1kHz, dipped at 1.6kHz. Strange frequency response through the mids.
Full Marshall Middleton II review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1” x 3.9” x 4.3” (230 x 98 x 110 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ? More from Oluv’Sone →
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Dominik Reviews: Marshall Middleton II vs Middleton I - Huge Differences? - Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 vs Marshall Middleton 2 Opinion in Subtitles More from Mateusz Cholewa →
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