Compare Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Speaker 3rd Gen vs JBL Go 4

Cohesion was praised, with reviewers describing the presentation as unified, whole, and remarkably cohesive.

Complex tracks can sound muddled, with limited separation between instruments. The compact mono design favors an energetic, direct presentation over precise layering.

Omnidirectional sound was generally positive, though one reviewer disputed true 360-degree behavior while still finding placement easy.

Sound is directional rather than truly room-filling in every direction. Reviewers often preferred laying the speaker face-up, while listening from behind it produced a muffled and narrower presentation.

USB-C wired audio was praised as a meaningful bonus, especially because reviewers heard clearer, punchier performance through a cable.

There is no 3.5mm auxiliary input, and the USB-C port does not carry audio. Reviewers who still use older wired players consider this a clear limitation.

Backwards compatibility was a clear plus because multiple reviewers valued pairing the 3rd Gen with the older A1 2nd Gen.

Auracast works with newer compatible JBL speakers, but it does not connect with older PartyBoost models. Owners of legacy JBL speakers may not be able to mix them into the same group.

Speakerphone performance was praised, with reviewers describing calls as clear, successful, and even a ten-out-of-ten hands-free experience.

The lack of a microphone means there is no speakerphone function. Buyers who want hands-free calls need a different portable speaker.

The microphone system was tied to clearer, more transparent voice calls in review evidence.

There is no built-in microphone, so the speaker cannot handle calls directly. Phone conversations and voice commands must stay on the connected device.

Dynamic headroom was good but not class-leading: some reviews praised dynamism, while others wanted stronger quiet-to-loud swings.

The Go 4 begins to sound thinner when pushed to roughly 70 percent volume and beyond. It has useful output for its size, but limited reserve for demanding outdoor or party use.

Physical controls were praised for positive, responsive, clicky action.

The controls are tactile and generally easy to operate, but some reviewers found that presses register best in the center of each button. The side controls can also be hard to see in darker finishes.

Value-for-money sentiment was more divided than price alone, ranging from strong praise in one A1 review to doubts from What Hi-Fi and Expert Reviews at the current price.

The Go 4 delivers strong value through its durable build, app-based EQ, waterproofing, and surprisingly lively sound. Its case becomes even stronger on sale, though battery-focused buyers can find longer-lasting alternatives.

Connection stability was consistently positive, with reviewers reporting no pairing or dropout issues in normal testing.

Most reviewers found pairing quick and playback stable, including use around the house and outdoors. A minority reported random disconnections, shutdowns, or unusually unreliable behavior.

Durability was mixed: reviewers liked the tough build and survival in bags, but several warned the metal finish can scuff and the speaker should not be thrown around like rugged JBL models.

Durability is one of the strongest points: reviewers repeatedly report drops, bumps, travel, and outdoor abuse without meaningful damage. The rubberized edges and solid construction inspire confidence.

Charging time was a weak spot because reviewers described the roughly three-hour charge as leisurely or on the long side.

A full recharge commonly takes around three hours, which reviewers consider acceptable but not especially quick for the available runtime. Some users praised faster charging, while others found the wait lengthy.

Status indicators worked but drew mild criticism for size and viewing angle.

The basic light communicates low battery and operating status, but reviewers wanted a more precise, graduated battery display. The app provides a clearer percentage readout.

One reviewer tested pairing across generations and found the stereo-pairing experience impressive and reliable.

Pairing through the JBL app is usually quick and dependable, and some owners found linking multiple speakers effortless. The physical Auracast-button process can be confusing, and one expert noted synchronization delay in stereo mode.

On-device controls were praised as nice and clicky in direct use.

The top-mounted play, skip, and volume controls are simple and useful, with separate power and pairing buttons on the side. A few users found the activation area narrower than the visible button surface.

The leather strap drew praise as expertly crafted and part of the speaker’s premium look.

The built-in fabric loop feels sturdy and makes the speaker easy to hang from a bag or hook. Several reviewers still wish JBL had included an integrated carabiner or a more versatile strap.

High-volume behavior was praised for staying controlled, with reviewers reporting little distortion even when the speaker was pushed.

Many reviewers heard clean, surprisingly controlled sound at louder levels, while others noticed harsh treble, lost detail, or strain near maximum volume. It performs best below its absolute limit.

USB-C charging was praised when paired with simultaneous laptop playback, making the port more useful than simple charging.

USB-C charging is convenient and keeps the speaker compatible with common modern cables. The port is charging-only, fast charging is absent, and a full recharge can take around three hours.

Price opinion was split: many reviewers saw the speaker as expensive, but several argued its build, sound, and longevity justified the premium.

At roughly $40 to $50—and especially when discounted—the speaker is widely considered an affordable way to get dependable portable sound and a rugged build. Some rivals offer more battery or bass for similar money.

General Bluetooth connectivity was mostly positive for quick pairing, but one reviewer criticized the lack of Auracast as a missed futureproofing opportunity.

Bluetooth setup is usually fast and straightforward across phones, tablets, and laptops. Reviewers commonly describe the connection process as simple enough to complete in seconds.

Inter-speaker connectivity was praised where tested, especially for quick stereo setup and pairing with another A1.

Auracast adds useful flexibility for linking compatible JBL speakers, and two Go 4 units can form a true stereo pair. Cross-model groups remain mono, and setup is usually easier through the app.

Codec support was considered solid, with aptX Adaptive repeatedly framed as a welcome or high-quality advantage.

The SBC-only wireless connection is considered perfectly acceptable for casual music, podcasts, and video. It lacks higher-quality codec options for listeners who care about premium wireless audio.

Reviewers generally found the small speaker louder than expected for its size, but several cautioned that it is not built to fill bigger rooms or outmuscle larger rivals.

The Go 4 plays impressively loud for its palm-sized body and can cover a desk, hotel room, kitchen, or small gathering. It does not have the output or projection needed for large parties or noisy open spaces.

Battery life was a consistent strength, with reviewers calling the 24-hour figure credible, impressive, and in some tests conservative.

Battery life is adequate for casual outings, with many users getting roughly five to seven hours and some reporting longer results. Others experienced shorter or inconsistent runtime, while Playtime Boost extends playback at a noticeable cost to sound quality.

Construction quality was repeatedly praised for premium materials, flawless finishing, and a substantial feel.

The fabric wrap, rubberized edges, and sturdy body feel unusually solid for the price. The enclosure tolerates travel and rough handling well, though the fabric can collect dirt and sand.

The tonal balance was widely praised for rich, controlled bass, clear mids, and refined highs, with a few caveats around ultimate bass depth and one first-impression review finding it flat.

The tuning is often mid-forward, with clear voices and lively instruments but limited deep bass. Some listeners hear harsh or thin highs, while others find the overall balance remarkably full and controlled for the size.

Vocal reproduction was a consistent strength, with reviewers praising intelligibility, definition, and natural-sounding voices in music.

Vocals and spoken content are usually clear, forward, and easy to understand, making the speaker useful for podcasts and audiobooks. Some default EQ settings can let voices compete with other elements, but tuning helps.

EQ customization was a standout, with reviewers praising the visual sound control as helpful, easy, and unusually gratifying.

The five-band EQ and presets are a major improvement, letting users tame the mids, add punch, or improve vocal clarity. The small driver limits how much extra bass the EQ can create, and Playtime Boost disables custom tuning.

Multipoint was positively received, especially in hands-on switching tests where it worked easily and flawlessly.

Multipoint lets the speaker stay connected to two devices and switch between them smoothly. Reviewers found it useful for moving between a phone, tablet, or laptop without repeated pairing.

Imaging and spatial organization were praised for openness and instrument separation, though one review noted limited scale compared with larger rivals.

A single Go 4 is mono and offers limited left-right separation. Pairing two identical units creates true stereo and a much wider, more immersive presentation, though occasional sync delay has been reported.

Everyday usability was praised for simple operation and controls that were easy to use without friction.

Its pocketable size, simple setup, and grab-and-go design make it exceptionally easy to use around the home, at work, or while traveling. Reviewers often describe it as a speaker they carry without thinking.

Water resistance was strongly supported by outdoor-use praise and hands-on dunk or sink tests that reported no damage.

Water protection is consistently praised: the IP67 speaker survives splashes, rain, dunking, and poolside use without trouble. Reviewers regularly treat it as a dependable beach, shower, and outdoor companion.

Bluetooth range was workable but not exceptional, with one review keeping it near the same room and another noting dropouts only near the end of a garden test.

Wireless range is generally strong for a speaker this size, with reports ranging from about 30 feet to nearly 100 feet in favorable conditions. A few owners encountered much shorter usable range.

Detail retrieval was a major strength across reviews, with repeated praise for high detail, clarity, and track-level separation.

The speaker reveals an impressive amount of vocal and instrumental detail for its size, especially after EQ tuning. Dense or heavily layered recordings can still lose texture and separation.

Design and aesthetics were one of the strongest consensus points, with nearly every reviewer praising the premium, elegant, luxurious look and feel.

The compact shape, colorful fabric finishes, and rubber accents are widely praised as cute, modern, and premium-looking. Some buyers dislike the oversized JBL logo or particular accent colors.

Portability was strong overall: reviewers liked the bag-friendly size and balanced heft, though it is not the lightest compact speaker.

At roughly 190 grams, the speaker is exceptionally light and easy to slip into a pocket or bag. Its low weight is a defining advantage for travel, hiking, cycling, and everyday carrying.

Sustainability stood out through repairability, replaceable battery comments, and praise for longevity-focused design.

Reviewers appreciate the use of recycled fabric and plastic along with largely paper-based packaging. These materials add environmental appeal without making the speaker feel cheap.

Setup was described as quick and issue-free in one review’s pairing experience.

Initial Bluetooth pairing is typically completed in seconds, and the app recognizes the speaker quickly. Stereo and multi-speaker setup is also straightforward when handled through the app.

The B&O app was repeatedly praised as responsive, simple, flexible, and among the best companion apps in the category.

The JBL Portable app is generally easy to connect, simple to navigate, and reliable for EQ, battery checks, updates, and speaker grouping. A few reviewers found it basic rather than feature-rich.

AirPlay compatibility was a clear omission in the Macworld review, which said the lack of Wi-Fi or AirPlay kept it from being perfect for Apple users.

Bass is punchy and satisfying for such a tiny speaker, especially after EQ adjustment, but true low-bass depth is limited. Playtime Boost strips away much of the bass, and higher volumes can make the low end thin out.

Many packages include a USB charging cable, but the supplied cable is often described as very short and a wall adapter may be absent. Buyers may prefer to use their own longer cable and charging block.

The IP67 build handles dust, sand, and outdoor use with little concern. Reviewers found it well suited to beaches, trails, workshops, and other messy environments.

The speaker floats when dropped in water, making it easier to retrieve at a pool or lake. That adds practical reassurance beyond its waterproof rating.

Reviewers who used the speaker with video reported low or minimal latency. It is suitable for casual phone, tablet, or laptop viewing without obvious lip-sync problems.

At low and moderate listening levels, the sound remains enjoyable and can compare closely with newer compact models. It works especially well for desk listening, quiet rooms, and background music.

The overall sound is lively, clear, and enjoyable for casual listening, with much more scale than the tiny enclosure suggests. It cannot match larger speakers for bass depth, openness, stereo width, or fine detail.

Most owners are highly satisfied with the combination of sound, ruggedness, portability, and price. Negative experiences center mainly on isolated battery or connection failures and expectations beyond what such a small speaker can deliver.

Privacy/data sentiment was lightly positive because the removal of Alexa also means Amazon’s assistant is not always listening.

The Go 4 is well suited to bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, hotel rooms, and small outdoor groups. It provides pleasant personal-scale sound without dominating nearby spaces.

Alexa and voice-assistant support were mixed-to-negative: some reviewers did not miss it, while others treated its removal as a lost useful feature.

Smart features were mixed: the app content and radio features impressed one reviewer, while another found the overall package simple rather than feature-packed.

The soundstage has little vertical dimension and becomes muffled from behind the speaker. Its presentation is broader than expected for the size, but not spacious or three-dimensional.

The speaker has no native voice-assistant support, so commands must be made through the phone. Reviewers who wanted hands-free control viewed this as a notable omission.

Wi-Fi streaming was a drawback for Apple-focused users because the speaker lacks Wi-Fi and AirPlay support.