Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen for better sound quality, the Marshall Emberton III for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen ranks #10 of 142 medium speakers at $395. The Marshall Emberton III ranks #102 at $160.04, $234.96 cheaper.
What the Marshall Emberton III offers: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. IP67 rated, durable rubbery build using 50% recycled plastic. Watch for: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud. Not really any different from the Emberton II except having the treble turned down a little bit.
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 Marshall Emberton III if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen if sound quality matters more than the price.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Marshall Emberton III is rated for 32 hours, the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen only 18 hours.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160.04 | $395.00 |
| Ranked | #102 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #10 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range cone drivers + 2x 2" passive radiators | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Pointing up |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 90ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion 300
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Denon Envaya DSB-250BT vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
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
Marshall Emberton III: $160.04 Amazon eBay
Pros: 30 hour battery life - among the best in its class; a 20 min quick-charge gives 4 hours. IP67 rated, durable rubbery build using 50% recycled plastic. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Not very loud. Not really any different from the Emberton II except having the treble turned down a little bit.
Full Marshall Emberton III review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 2.7" x 3" (160 x 68 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2" full-range cone drivers + 2x 2" passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) |
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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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