Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Marshall Woburn I is the better pick: it ranks #4 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5), against #20 (rated 3.5/5) for the B&O Beosound 1. If you want one new, the Marshall Woburn III replaces the Marshall Woburn I and is rated 4.1/5 at $599.99.
The Marshall Woburn I is the better-sounding pick. A substantial stereo home speaker with physical bass and treble knobs, aptX Bluetooth and RCA and aux inputs, now discontinued but worth buying used. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the B&O Beosound 1 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the B&O Beosound 1 lacks. Watch for: Its midrange can be peaky while the upper treble rolls off, and bass reaches only around 50Hz in practice rather than matching deeper modern speakers.
The B&O Beosound 1 is the battery-powered choice. A luxury cone shaped speaker that fills a room in every direction, with Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast and a built in battery. Its battery is rated for 16 hours, while the Marshall Woburn I needs an outlet.
Buy the Marshall Woburn I only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Marshall Woburn III, which replaces the Marshall Woburn I.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Marshall Woburn I | B&O Beosound 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 each Discontinued | $2,000 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #4 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #20 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | ~53Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Weight | 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 15.7” x 12.1” x 7.9” (400 x 308 x 200 mm) | 6.4” x 12.9” (162 x 327 mm) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | No |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 35Hz - 24.3kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, RCA, Aux | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast |
| Drivers | 2x 5.25” woofers, Integrated in woofers midrange, 2x 1” tweeters | 4” woofer, 1.5” full-range driver |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Amplifier Power | 90W | 60W total (40W full-range, 20W woofer) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 91dB |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Marshall Woburn I: reviews by Danny Pops.
- B&O Beosound 1: reviews by Mikipedia and Tivoli Hi-Fi.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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