Short answer: the B&O Beosound Explore if sound quality matters most, the LG Xboom Go PL5 if price matters most. The B&O Beosound Explore ranks #112 of 142 medium speakers at $299. The LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #117 at $179, $120 cheaper.
What the B&O Beosound Explore offers: IP67 rated with a rugged ‘seatbelt’ strap and carabiner hook. Watch for: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble.
On the LG Xboom Go PL5 side: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. Set against that: Barely any bass.
Buy the B&O Beosound Explore when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the LG Xboom Go PL5 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Neither of these is a sound-quality pick. Look higher up the 142 medium speakers if that is what you are optimizing for.
Battery life favors the B&O Beosound Explore: rated for 27 hours against 15 hours for the LG Xboom Go PL5.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beosound Explore | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #112 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #117 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 631 g | 1.4 lbs / 640 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 4.9" x 3.2" (81 x 124 x 81 mm) | 7.9" x 3.1" x 3.1" (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.8" (46mm) full-range drivers | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Output Power | 60W | 20W |
| Max Volume | 91dB | 100dB |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| App | - | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| EQ | - | Yes (via app) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How B&O Beosound Explore compares with other leading options:
- JBL Charge 6 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- JBL Flip 7 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Turtlebox Ranger
- B&O Beosound Explore vs KEF Muo gen2
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
Prices on this page were last checked September 9, 2026 at 6:54 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 Explore: $299.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated with a rugged ‘seatbelt’ strap and carabiner hook. Real-world battery life around 20-24 hours. Distinctive anodized-aluminum design.
Cons: Huge lack of bass extension compared to competitors, overly hot ringing treble. Colored midrange. Just not great sounding overall.
Full B&O Beosound Explore review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~70Hz |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 27 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 3.2" x 4.9" x 3.2" (81 x 124 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.8" (46mm) full-range drivers |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 91dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 631 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Sony SRS-XE200
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Soundcore Flare 2
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Doss E-Go II
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Sony SRS-XB30
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Teufel Rockster Go
- B&O Beosound Explore vs LG Xboom XG5
- B&O Beosound Explore vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- See all 18 comparisons
LG Xboom Go PL5: $179.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. LED lights sync to music via the LG XBOOM app; Wireless Party Link connects up to 100 speakers. USB-C charging.
Cons: Barely any bass. 14khz peak, bright on top. Soundboost mode makes the top end even harsher.
Full LG Xboom Go PL5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.1" x 3.1" (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 640 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons