Short answer: the Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021. It ranks #4 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the B&O Beosound A1 ranks #9 and costs $200, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021: A very neutral good sounding inexpensive small speaker with quite deep bass for the size. Set against that: Slight DSP tuning issue which makes bass get lighter at times at very low volumes, examples in oluv’s video.
On the B&O Beosound A1 side: Deeper bass than the A1 2nd gen. The catch: Not stereo. Not quite as neutral as the A1 2nd gen. Pumping sound artifacts above 60% volume, only good for lower listening levels.
Buy the Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound A1 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the B&O Beosound A1 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 | B&O Beosound A1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #4 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #9 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 150ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 99dB |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g | 1.3 lbs / 589 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 8" x 2.8" x 2.7" (204 x 72 x 69 mm) (7.7 x 2.5 x 2.6 inches) | - |
| Drivers | 1.75" (44mm) x 2 active drivers and one passive radiator | 15mm tweeter + 83mm mid/bass driver |
| Output Power | 20W (10W × 2) | 60W total (30W each driver) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021: $60 Amazon
Pros: A very neutral good sounding inexpensive small speaker with quite deep bass for the size. This upgraded version has a usb-c port while the old one has micro usb.
Cons: Slight DSP tuning issue which makes bass get lighter at times at very low volumes, examples in oluv’s video.
Full Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 150ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8" x 2.8" x 2.7" (204 x 72 x 69 mm) (7.7 x 2.5 x 2.6 inches) |
| Drivers | 1.75" (44mm) x 2 active drivers and one passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes (9 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W (10W × 2) |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion 300 or JBL Flip 6 or Soundcore Boost v2? we all have issues!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Flip 6 vs Maxsound Plus and Soundcore Boost - ultimate travel speaker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: 2x Soundcore Boost (stereo) vs Motion Boom and Motion+ - Best Soundcore speaker? 😋
- Speakertech: Anker soundcore Boost (Upgraded) vs minirig mini in stereo /2.0 (and changing the equalizer)
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bogasing G4 spot cheap speaker - I was NOT expecting this!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex vs Soundcore Boost vs Bogasing M4 - cheap or Bose?
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Motion+
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Minirig 4
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Soundcore Motion 300
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 6
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sonos Roam 2
B&O Beosound A1: $200 Discontinued
Pros: Deeper bass than the A1 2nd gen.
Cons: Not stereo. Not quite as neutral as the A1 2nd gen. Pumping sound artifacts above 60% volume, only good for lower listening levels. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beosound A1 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 15mm tweeter + 83mm mid/bass driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 60W total (30W each driver) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 589 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: B&O Beoplay/Beosound A1 - all 3 generations compared
- Alan Ross Reviews: Beoplay A1 Denon 250bt JBL Flip 5 Anker Flare 2
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Soundlink Flex or Beosound A1 (1st gen) - ultimate compact speaker 😇
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Beoplay A1 outdoors with a bit of Anker Soundcore Motion+ too
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- techkiste.net: B&O Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) vs Bose Revolve 2 vs Bose Revolve+ 2 sound-comparison
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Reddit Search for B&O Beosound A1 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- B&O Beosound A1 vs JBL Flip 6
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- B&O Beosound A1 vs JBL Flip 7
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