Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen for better sound quality, the JBL Pulse 5 for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranks #10 of 142 medium speakers at $395. The JBL Pulse 5 ranks #44 at $239.99, $155.01 cheaper.
What the JBL Pulse 5 offers: JBL Pulse 5 uses 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter. Its 1500 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Watch for: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification.
What the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen offers: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen uses 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter. Its 558 g, claimed 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 58Hz specification.
Buy the JBL Pulse 5 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is rated for 18 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Pulse 5.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Pulse 5 | B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.99 | $395.00 |
| Ranked | #44 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #10 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 90ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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
JBL Pulse 5: $239.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: JBL Pulse 5 uses 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter. Its 1500 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Techder Audios: JBL PULSE 5 VS JBL CHARGE 5 "LIGHTS VS BASS?!" More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen: $395.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen uses 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter. Its 558 g, claimed 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 58Hz specification.
Full B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Latency | 90ms |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Drivers | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Alan Ross Reviews: B&O Beoplay A1 2nd gen vs Minirig mk3 bluetooth speaker More from alanrossreviews →
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Plus vs Beoplay A1 2nd gen - The Match!
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Beoplay A1 outdoors with a bit of Anker Soundcore Motion+ too
- Oluv Patreon: (Anker) Soundcore Motion 300 - first impressions
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