Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It ranks #19 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $399. The Marshall Emberton III ranks #125, rated 2.7/5, at $179.99, $219.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Marshall Emberton III is the longer-running option. A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging. It is rated for 32 hours of battery against 24 for the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. The catch: Strange unnatural echo-like sound coloration, bass not as deep as competitors.
The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen is the better-sounding option. A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Marshall Emberton III lacks. The catch: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $219.01 with the Marshall Emberton III does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A tough waterproof speaker with Marshall styling and a very long battery, plus quick charging.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with good sound, a long battery, and a battery you can swap, built to last.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Emberton III | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #125 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 62Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 32 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (673 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 6.3” x 2.7” x 3” (160 x 68 x 76 mm) | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2” full-range cone drivers + 2x 2” passive radiators | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm 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 | 60W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: