Short answer: the JBL Flip 7. It ranks #14 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $129.95; the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 and costs $399, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL Flip 7: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size. The tradeoff: A little bit of a bump at 4khz, not quite as neutral as the FLip 6.
What the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen gets right: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). The catch: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
Buy the JBL Flip 7. 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 14 hours for the JBL Flip 7.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 7 | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.95 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #14 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 560 g | 1.2 lbs / 558 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| Output Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) | 60W |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.7" x 2.8" (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) | - |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 7: $129.95 Amazon
Pros: A very neutral speaker, very small, almost pocket size. Just slightly more treble than the Flip 6 which was already a great speaker. Slightly deeper bass than the Flip 6
Cons: A little bit of a bump at 4khz, not quite as neutral as the FLip 6. I believe this one is slightly worse than the Flip 6.
Full JBL Flip 7 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 59Hz |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 7.2" x 2.7" x 2.8" (182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 45x80mm racetrack driver + 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 35W total (25W main + 10W tweeter) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V 7.5W-15W) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs / 560 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 7 is screech-fest heaven! vs Flip 6!
- Chrispy Things [EDC]: JBL Flip 7: My thoughts & sound test VS the Flip 6!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Flip 7 Review - Is It Worth Upgrading Over The JBL Flip 6 Or Flip 5?
- Musou1: JBL flip 7 vs KEF muo vs Bose flex 2
- FishBee Product Reviews: LG XBOOM Grab (2025) by Will.i.am - BETTER Than JBL Flip 7??
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 7 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 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| 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
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Tribit Xsound Mega
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Harman Kardon Luna
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs JBL Flip 6
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Turtlebox Ranger
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs Sonos Roam 2
- B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen vs KEF Muo gen2
- See all 9 comparisons