Short answer: the JBL Flip 6. It ranks #12 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $114.95; the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 and costs $399, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Where the JBL Flip 6 shines: it’s a very neutral speaker, small enough to be almost pocket sized, and a huge sound quality leap over the Flip 5. The compromise: it’s not stereo, has some slight upper mids emphasis, and the TL version’s tweeter can sound somewhat scratchy compared to the GG version.
The appeal of the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: longer battery life than the 2nd gen at around 24 hours at sensible volumes, an IP67 rating with a serviceable, replaceable battery as the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification, plus multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive. That’s offset by: it distorts more easily than the 2nd gen with deeper bass, has a dipped area in the upper mids, and doesn’t go quite as deep as the 2nd gen.
Buy the JBL Flip 6. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Flip 6.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 6 | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.95 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #12 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Max Volume | 98dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 544 g | 1.2 lbs / 558 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.7" x 2.8" (176 x 68 x 72 mm) | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Output Power | 30W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 6: $114.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size, a huge sound quality leap over the Flip 5.
Cons: Not stereo. Some slight upper mids emphasis. The TL version (made in Vietnam) tweeter can sound somewhat scratchy and doesn’t sound as good as the GG version (made in China)
Full JBL Flip 6 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.7" x 2.8" (176 x 68 x 72 mm) |
| Drivers | 44mm x 80mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 544 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 7 is screech-fest heaven! vs Flip 6!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or JBL Flip 6 (eq adjusted) or Denon Envaya - best speaker for travel!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Maxsound Plus and Soundcore Boost - ultimate travel speaker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex Review! vs JBL Flip 6 and JBL Charge 5. Travel heaven?? 🤞
- CEONTHEMAKING: Earfun Uboom L - This Speaker Replaced My JBL Flip 6…
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion 300 or JBL Flip 6 or Soundcore Boost v2? we all have issues!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion 300 or JBL Flip 6 or Soundcore Boost v2? we all have issues!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5?
- SpeakerBlowUpMan Lee: Broke Man’s JBL Flip 6! Miatone Boompro Bluetooth Speaker Review
- Techder Audios: JBL Flip 6 Martin Garrix Edition VS Wisetiger P3 “PRICEY VS REAL CHEAP?!”
- Alan Ross Reviews: Mifa WildRod Review and new firmware comparison vs JBL Flip 6 - things got interesting 👀
- New Stuff TV 2: Sony ULT Field 1 vs JBL Flip 6, JBL Charge 5 & Soundcore Motion 300
- FishBee Product Reviews: Xiaomi Mi Sound Outdoor 30W Speaker vs JBL Flip 6 - CRAZY GOOD!
- Audio y Mas 🔊: Altavoces JBL Flip 6 vs W-King D320: ¿Cuál es el mejor en calidad de sonido? 🔊
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs JBL Charge 4 and JBL Charge 3 - small one or a large one? 🤷♂️
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Flip 6 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 (Indoor Mode)⚔️ Battle of the Handheld Bluetooth Speakers.
- Daniel Pérez: Tronsmart T7 vs JBL Flip 6
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Marshall Emberton review - mono or pseudo surround sound? 🤷♀️
- Luan Tech: JBL FLIP 6 vs LG XBOOM XG5 COMPARATIVO COMPLETO!
- Audio 503: Tronsmart T7 Lite (24w) vs JBL Flip 6 (30w)
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Newly Released! Skullcandy Terrain XL 🦨 Quick Overview & Sound Comparison with JBL Flip 6 & Tozo PA1
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 6 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: $399.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). IP67 rated with a serviceable, replaceable battery - the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification. Multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive.
Cons: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids. Not as deep of bass as the 2nd gen
Full B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 558 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
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs 2nd gen - worth the premium?
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - soundcheck
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen - outdoor test
- Reddit Search for B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons