Short answer: the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen for better sound quality, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen ranks #18 of 142 medium speakers at $381.52. The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 ranks #137 at $200, $181.52 cheaper.
What the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 offers: IP67 rated, floats, and finally uses USB-C charging. 20 hour battery life. ‘PartyUp’ feature syncs multiple UE speakers together. Watch for: A lot of distortion at higher volumes. Rolled off treble. Not very loud. They really screwed this up
What the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen offers: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). IP67 rated with a serviceable, replaceable battery - the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification. Multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive. Watch for: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids. Not as deep of bass as the 2nd gen
Buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Skip the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 142 medium speakers.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 | B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $381.52 |
| Ranked | #137 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #18 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | Pointing up |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 3.4" x 8.9" (87 x 87 x 225 mm) | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W |
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How B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen compares with other leading options:
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- B&O Beosound A1 vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4: $200 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and finally uses USB-C charging. 20 hour battery life. ‘PartyUp’ feature syncs multiple UE speakers together.
Cons: A lot of distortion at higher volumes. Rolled off treble. Not very loud. They really screwed this up
Full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 3.4" x 8.9" (87 x 87 x 225 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50x50mm full-range + 2x 55x86mm passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 91dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
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B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen: $381.52 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Longer battery than the 2nd gen (~24 hours at sensible volumes). IP67 rated with a serviceable, replaceable battery - the first Bluetooth speaker with Cradle to Cradle certification. Multipoint connectivity and aptX Adaptive.
Cons: Distorts easier than the 2nd gen with deeper bass. Dipped area in the upper mids. Not as deep of bass as the 2nd gen
Full B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 1.8" x 5.2" (133 x 46 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 82.5mm woofer, 15mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (558 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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