Short answer: the Marshall Stockwell 2. It ranks #11 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $200; the B&O Beoplay A2 active ranks #16 and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Marshall Stockwell 2 side: Possibly the most natural sounding Marshall speaker. Set against that: Not stereo.
What the B&O Beoplay A2 active offers: B&O’s True360 sound from both sides. Watch for: Not stereo.
Buy the Marshall Stockwell 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beoplay A2 active and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the Marshall Stockwell 2 at IPX4 (splashing) holds up far better than the B&O Beoplay A2 active at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Stockwell 2 | B&O Beoplay A2 active | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #16 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms | - |
| Max Volume | 96dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
| App | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 6.3" x 2.8" (180 x 161 x 70 mm) | 10.1" x 5.6" x 1.7" (256 x 142 x 44 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange tweeters | 2x 3" fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 2x 3" passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 20W | 60W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Marshall Stockwell 2: $200 Amazon
Pros: Possibly the most natural sounding Marshall speaker. Excellent off-axis.
Cons: Not stereo. Not very loud. Uses added DSP reverb which audio purists may find annoying.
Full Marshall Stockwell 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 50ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.1" x 6.3" x 2.8" (180 x 161 x 70 mm) |
| Drivers | 3" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs / 1.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs B&O Beosound A5
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Soundcore Boom 2
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- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
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B&O Beoplay A2 active: $400 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: B&O’s True360 sound from both sides. Customizable sound via Beoplay app. 22 hour battery (improved from original A2). Stereo pairing with a second A2 Active. Splash/dustproof, USB-C charging. ~1.1 kg with carry strap.
Cons: Not stereo. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beoplay A2 active review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 5.6" x 1.7" (256 x 142 x 44 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 3" fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 2x 3" passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Select Pro
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Bose SoundLink Max
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs JBL Xtreme 3
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Motion X600
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- See all 16 comparisons