Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5. It ranks #2 of 120 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $399.95; the B&O Beosound A5 ranks #12, rated 4.5/5, and costs $1,650, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The JBL Xtreme 5 is the longer-running, lighter option. A large waterproof speaker with deep bass, wide, clean sound at volume and a removable 28 hour battery. It is rated for 28 hours of battery against 12 for the B&O Beosound A5. At 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the B&O Beosound A5 at 8.5 lbs (3.86 kg). It is rated IP68 against IP65 for the B&O Beosound A5. The catch: High priced.
The case for the B&O Beosound A5: A premium, dust and waterproof Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with fairly neutral sound and a big woofer for real bass. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Xtreme 5 lacks.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound A5 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | B&O Beosound A5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $1,650.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP65 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 101dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 8.5 lbs (3.86 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 11.2” x 7.4” x 5.1” (285 x 187 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 5.25” woofer, 2x 2” fullrange, 0.8” tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 32Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) | 280W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
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