The Bose SoundLink Plus is a good Bluetooth speaker with no scarcity of favor or ruggedness. Low-frequency sounds aren’t at all times probably the most full-sounding, however bass remains to be decently punchy, and also you get pleasantly detailed audio total.
Execs
- Higher multi-speaker connectivity
- Vibrant, attention-grabbing look
- Extra superior Bluetooth model
Cons
- Low-end might sound extra refined
- No wired audio
- Lacks the premium end of B&O’s speaker
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen
There aren’t many audio system that scream luxurious fairly just like the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen. It’s a fantastic, sturdy, and crowd pleasing speaker that performs effectively throughout the board sonically, although it does come at fairly the price.
Execs
- Significantly luxurious seems
- Prime-class companion app
- USB-C audio passthrough
Cons
- Extra understated look could not go well with all
- Much less tough and prepared than the SoundLink Plus
- Pricier than its Bose rival
I’ve mentioned it earlier than, however selecting a Bluetooth speaker this present day is a really difficult activity. Merely put, there are simply so many wonderful choices – not good for these of us who battle with alternative paralysis.
Fortunately, I’ve examined greater than 40 Bluetooth audio system, so I’ve a good suggestion of what to look out for when deciding on your subsequent transportable audio companion. Right now, I wished to match two audio system which will have premium worth tags and supply nice sound, however even have an entire host of variations: the Bose SoundLink Plus and the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen.
Now, each of those audio system are wonderful and acquired stellar opinions from us right here at TechRadar. They each additionally compete with the perfect Bluetooth audio system round. However which one must you purchase? I’ll stroll you thru their distinctive qualities, and evaluate them throughout areas like options, sound high quality, design, and worth, that can assist you make the fitting name.
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Bose SoundLink Plus vs Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen: worth and availability
The Bose SoundLink Plus was launched in June 2025, and is usually priced at $269 / £249 / AU$429. And positive, that’s a reasonably steep worth to pay, however you do get an terrible lot of high quality in return. On prime of that, I’ve seen the SoundLink Plus go on sale up to now – even dropping as little as $180 / £180 in some sale occasions.
In the meantime, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen dropped in Might 2025, and is usually slightly pricier than its Bose rival. It has a listing worth of $349 / £299 / AU$639 – a luxurious value for an equally luxurious product. This mannequin goes on sale fairly hardly ever, however I’ve seen it discounted in some territories, just like the UK, for near £260.
Bose SoundLink Plus vs Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen: specs
Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0
Bose SoundLink Plus
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen
Weight
3.3lbs / 1.5kg
1.3lbs / 0.6kg
Dimensions
3.9 x 9.1 x 3.4 inches / 99 x 231 x 86mm
5.2 x 1.8 x 5.2 inches / 133 x 46 x 133mm
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.1
Battery life
20 hours
24 hours
Speaker drivers
1x mid/bass driver, 1x tweeter
1x 0.6-inch tweeter; 1 x 3.25-inch woofer, every with 1x 30W Class D amplification
Waterproofing
IP67
IP67
Bose SoundLink Plus vs Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen: options
You’d count on an expansive feature-set from any speaker within the $200 – $300 / £200 – £300 worth bracket, and each of those fashions provide that – no less than for probably the most half.
The Bose SoundLink Plus comes with the standard great things like multi-point connectivity and Google Quick Pair, however if you happen to obtain the Bose management app, you possibly can unlock much more. As an illustration, you possibly can customise the useful shortcut button, rename the speaker, or alter EQ.
Personally, I feel Bose’s EQ settings are slightly simplistic. You’ll be able to choose a preset that both boosts or reduces the bass or the treble, or you possibly can manually alter the extent of the lows, mids, or highs. However lots of rivals supply genre-specific presets too, and sometimes have five-band or greater EQ customization, enabling you to higher customise sound to your style.
Nonetheless, a lot of the stuff you’d need from a contemporary Bluetooth speaker is right here. And audiophiles will recognize the choice to stream music at a better decision utilizing the aptX Adaptive codec – although you’ll want a suitable gadget. In any other case, it’ll be SBC or AAC.
(Picture credit score: Future)
The Beosound A1 third Gen additionally comes with assist for the aptX Adaptive codec, which I at all times discover offers a pleasantly detailed tackle my favourite tunes. However the place Bang & Olufsen takes it up a notch is with the inclusion of USB-C audio passthrough. This offers lossless, higher-fidelity listening than the SoundLink Plus can supply – a mannequin that skips on 3.5mm connectivity too.
What to learn subsequent
On prime of this, the Beosound A1 third Gen offers a step-up within the EQ division, with mood-based presets like Vibrant, Relaxed, Energetic, and Heat. You may also go for a customized setup if you happen to’d want, though I feel this mannequin sounds nice out of the field. Its app can be a bit extra fleshed-out, with some enjoyable inclusions like built-in radio stations out there.
I’m not making an attempt to be imply to the Bose SoundLink Plus, however B&O has it beat in different areas too. As an illustration, the Beosound A1 third Gen has built-in microphones for clearer hands-free calls – one thing omitted by its Bose counterpart. You additionally get 24 hours of battery life from B&O’s round speaker, whereas Bose solely offers 20 hours of playback.
It’s not all one-sided, although. For instance, the Bose SoundLink Plus presents very stable multi-speaker pairing capabilities, with the power to hyperlink with an equivalent unit for stereo sound, or with different fashions – just like the Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 – for some added quantity. The B&O can pair with an equivalent unit, or the Beosound A1 2nd Gen for stereo playback, nevertheless it lacks the power to hyperlink up with different fashions. Nonetheless, I feel we’ll hand the primary class to the A1 third Gen, all issues thought-about.
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Bose SoundLink Plus vs Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen: sound high quality
Right here’s the place issues will get juicy. See, it might appear to be the smaller Bang & Olufsen speaker would battle to compete with the stockier and blockier Bose mannequin, however they each boast loads of energy. Whichever mannequin you decide, you’ll get sufficient quantity to maintain the vibes sturdy, even at a gathering or small social gathering.
However which mannequin sounds higher? Nicely, let’s begin by having a look on the Bose SoundLink Plus. This speaker largely impressed me throughout testing, and took a satisfyingly revealing method to enjoying my music. When listening to Clair-Obscur by Alice Duport-Percier and Lorien Testard, hovering, layered vocals intertwined superbly, whereas expressive and emotive acoustic guitars glided by means of the monitor with stunning rhythm and tonality. Devices and vocals had been separated to spectacular impact, but there was a strikingly cohesive high quality to the speaker’s output.
The speaker tackles treble effectively too, providing expressive but managed highs, even when creeping in the direction of peak volumes. When listening to heavier tunes, I by no means felt that thrashing drums sounded shrill or tinny – they had been aggressive in a manner that felt true.
Within the low-end, my views stay largely constructive, although I’ve a couple of notes. Normally, you get a fairly punchy efficiency from the SoundLink Plus – the low-end comes by means of clearly and doesn’t sound underpowered, particularly with a customized tuning. However once I listened to accommodate tunes, like Contact Me by Luke Dean and Max Dean, I used to be left wanting slightly extra. The bass didn’t have that full-sounding thump that I used to be craving, and will generally fall in need of the presence and dynamism I’d count on.
Don’t get me mistaken, I nonetheless assume that the SoundLink Plus performs decently within the depths of the frequency vary, nevertheless it may very well be higher.
(Picture credit score: Future)
With regards to the B&O speaker, I wouldn’t say the identical about its bass output, although – for me, it nails it. For a speaker of its dimension, the Beosound A1 third Gen presents critically impactful low-end sound – it’s mighty, direct, and even immersive. I’d even problem a warning right here – ensure you’ve acquired a stable floor for this factor to sit down on, as a result of it may possibly trigger much less steady constructions to shake at greater volumes!
I attempted listening to lots of home music on the B&O mannequin, and in tracks like Breather by Chris Stussy, I used to be astonished by the agility and complete-sounding bass on supply – I might hardly cease listening when utilizing it whereas testing for my finest Bluetooth audio system shopping for information.
However in contrast to Meghan Trainor, I don’t assume it’s all about that bass. See, the Beosound A1 third Gen presents balanced all-round sound, with commendable element throughout the frequency vary. In tunes like A Horse With No Title by America, I used to be immediately impressed by the way in which vocals and the strumming acoustic guitar occupied virtually separate pockets. Subtler percussive sounds additionally got here by means of sounding mild but completely weighted . Because the tune constructed, the speaker saved its composure, and delivered a layered, intricate, and emotive efficiency.
Treble is tight and vivid too, with M-Excessive’s Concord Within the Distance showcasing the B&O’s means to serve up expressive highs whereas pumping out imposing bass and hypnotic synths – all with out a single component impeding the opposite.
The Bose SoundLink Plus is an excellent performer total, and I wish to pay kudos to its open, spacious sound. However the Beosound A1 third Gen is a lower above within the bass division, and it presents that further layer of separation required to wow the listener. One other B&O win.
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Bose SoundLink Plus vs Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen: design
With regards to seems, these two couldn’t be way more completely different. See, the Bose SoundLink Plus assumes a extra conventional cuboid kind, with a cloth loop on the facet if you wish to fasten it to one thing like a hook or bag. Nonetheless, the Beosound A1 third Gen has a round construct, with an upward dealing with speaker grille and a flexible leather-based strap. And the variations don’t cease there.
As an illustration, the Bose SoundLink Plus has a rubber exterior in addition to a powder-coated metal grille, giving it a superb mixture of drop-proof practicality and a premium end. It’s out there in a merely gorgeous set of colours too, together with Citrus Yellow and Blue Nightfall, however there’s additionally a primary Black if you happen to’d want.
The B&O can’t fairly supply the identical vibrant, eye-catching look of its Bose rival, however that’s not essentially a nasty factor. This mannequin opts for the extra understated, stylish method, and is accessible in colorways like Wam Granite, Inexperienced Eucalyptus, Pure Aluminium, and my private favourite, Honey Tone. All of those look wonderful and match the luxurious look of the mannequin to perfection.
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The Beosound A1 third Gen can be constructed masterfully. The decrease half of the speaker is constructed from hard-wearing polymer, whereas the higher section is fabricated from textured pearl-blasted anodized aluminum. We acknowledged it clearly in our overview, however I’ll repeat it right here: the satisfaction of possession you expertise with this speaker – not solely from its sound, however from its construct – is exactly what makes it so particular.
Whereas the B&O could have a sturdy exterior, it might be slightly extra liable to scratches and scuffs than its Bose rival. Nonetheless although, each are fairly rugged – one thing symbolized by their shared IP67 score. This means that each fashions are totally dustproof, and may be submerged in as much as a meter of water for so long as half-hour. Excellent for bathe listening classes or pool events.
Each of those audio system have nice designs – they even have neat button placement and LED lights to point features like remaining battery life. However the mannequin you favor shall be a private factor. If you’d like one thing shiny and colourful with top-tier sturdiness, then the Bose is the place it’s at. Nonetheless, I’m going to provide the sting to the B&O as soon as extra – the standard of its supplies, its iconic round construct, its distinctive colour choices… it’s all to die for.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Bose SoundLink Plus vs Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen: worth
As I discussed initially, each of those audio system include premium worth tags, however which one is definitely price forking out on?
Nicely, the Bose could seem to be the plain alternative at first as a consequence of its sometimes decrease value. At $269 / £249 / AU$429, it’s not precisely low-cost, however stays a really tempting possibility. It presents revealing sound with hi-res Bluetooth streaming assist, it’s well-built with a vibrant look, and might hyperlink up with different Bose fashions as well. I feel the feature-set may very well be slightly extra expansive, and bass may very well be slightly extra refined, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a incredible mannequin all issues thought-about.
In the meantime, the Beosound A1 third Gen is available in at $349 / £299 / AU$639. And I gained’t beat across the bush: that’s an terrible lot to spend on a speaker of this dimension, particularly when that amount of money might sometimes land you a bigger mannequin just like the JBL Xtreme 4 or an on-sale Bose SoundLink Max.
However even when it’s dear, I nonetheless assume you get what you pay for with this B&O speaker. It’s fabricated from luxurious supplies, and has equally luxurious sound high quality to match. It is extremely waterproof, comes with a tremendous companion app, and helps genuinely lossless audio through USB-C.
Despite the fact that the Beosound A1 third Gen is pricey, I’m but to check one other Bluetooth speaker that’s acquired it beat for high quality in its dimension class. And by B&O’s lofty requirements, this speaker is unquestionably on the extra reasonably priced finish of the spectrum anyway. There’s so much to love in regards to the Bose SoundLink Plus – I simply assume I’d need barely higher battery life and options on the worth, so I’d edge the B&O mannequin right here.
Bose SoundLink Plus vs Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen: verdict
So, there you could have it. After profitable the overwhelming majority of the above classes, victory goes to the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 third Gen. It’s arduous to think about a greater wanting Bluetooth speaker, and its infectious, immersive sound is critically arduous to prime. Sure it’s dear, nevertheless it really feels definitely worth the expenditure – and if you happen to can seize it in a uncommon sale, I’d strongly recommend doing so.
As for the Bose SoundLink Plus, I wish to be crystal clear: this can be a excellent speaker certainly. It has a tough and prepared design, is popping with colour, and its sound high quality – though not fairly excellent – remains to be very sturdy, with spectacular element ranges and aptX Adaptive assist. If you’d like one thing slightly cheaper than the B&O, I’d fortunately advocate this mannequin, particularly if you will get a reduced unit.
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