Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen on measured sound quality, the Sonos Roam 2 on price. The A1 3rd gen ranks #19 of 179 medium speakers at $379. The Roam 2 ranks #94 at $178, $201 cheaper.
The Roam 2 is a minor refinement, not a redesign. Its own notes call it very neutral and note the pairing button is no longer shared with power, a small usability win. But the cons are direct: it has the exact same sound quality as the original Roam, bass extension isn’t very good, it isn’t stereo, and it distorts as you push the bass higher.
The A1 3rd gen makes real gains over its own predecessor, with tradeoffs. Battery life reaches around 24 hours at sensible volumes, well ahead of the Roam 2’s 10 hours, and it is IP67 rated with a serviceable, replaceable battery, the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification. It also adds multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive. Against the 2nd generation A1, though, it distorts more easily with deeper bass, has a dipped area in the upper mids, and doesn’t reach quite as deep in the bass.
Everything else worth noting: both include a built-in microphone and app-based EQ, but only the A1 3rd gen has a USB-C digital Aux input and TWS pairing.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen for the much longer battery life, tougher IP67 rating, and broader codec support, if the higher price is not a barrier.
Buy the Sonos Roam 2 if price is the priority and you’re fine with a speaker whose sound quality has not moved past the original Roam.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Roam 2 | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $178.00 | $379.00 |
| Ranked | #94 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 179 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (429 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm) | 5.2” x 1.8” x 5.2” (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| App | Sonos S2 App | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) | - |
| EQ | Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode) | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Strap | No | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W |
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