Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It ranks #11 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $395. The Ultimate Ears Boom 4 ranks #112, rated 2.9/5, at $114.99, $280.01 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Ultimate Ears Boom 4: A tough waterproof speaker that floats, with USB-C charging, app EQ and pairing with other UE speakers. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. Watch for: Not much improvement over the old ones.
The B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen is the better-sounding choice. A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel. It supports aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, which the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 lacks.
Buy the B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $280.01 you would save on the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A tough waterproof speaker that floats, with USB-C charging, app EQ and pairing with other UE speakers.
A premium waterproof puck speaker with balanced sound, a built in strap, and a long battery for travel.
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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Boom 4 | B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $114.99 | $395.00 |
| Ranked | #112 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs (620 g) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.2” x 2.9” x 2.9” (184 x 73 x 73 mm) | 5.2”W x 5.2”D x 1.8”H (133 x 133 x 46 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.57” (40mm) active drivers + 2x 1.81” x 2.57” (46.1 x 65.2mm) passive radiators | 3.5mm aluminium driver + 0.75 inch silk dome tweeter |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | 85dBC (Manufacturer specified) | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | Yes (built-in strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 90ms |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W total (2x 30W Class D) |
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