Le style ampli
Marshall Middleton II
The black-and-brass Marshall look, 30+ hours and a way to charge your phone.
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Everyday tech · 7 min read
Best design Bluetooth speaker: B&O A1 vs Marshall vs Bose
The most beautiful Bluetooth speaker? Beosound A1 3rd Gen, Marshall Middleton II or Bose SoundLink Max: design, battery and sound compared.
Our pick: Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd GenSee on Amazon
Our pick
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen
If you want the most beautiful Bluetooth speaker to leave out on display, pick the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen: an aluminium pebble designed by Cecilie Manz, 576 g, a leather strap, up to 24 hours of battery life, IP67 protection and three microphones for calls. It is the smallest of the three, and the one that looks least like a gadget.
Live price and availability on amazon.com.be
Other situations
If you want more volume and bass for a terrace, the Marshall Middleton II keeps the black-and-brass amp look with more than 30 hours of battery life. The Bose SoundLink Max is the biggest and the most party-minded, with its rope handle, but it has no microphone at all: no hands-free calls.
One model per use
Pour la fête
Bose SoundLink Max
The biggest of the three, with a rope handle and a Party mode.
The three picks, side by side
| Model | Sound | Battery | Format | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our pickBang & Olufsen — Beosound A1 3rd Gen, portable Bluetooth speaker (Rustic Red) | 60 W in total (2 × 30 W class D), 54 to 20,000 Hz, aptX Adaptive and AAC, stereo pairing with another A1 | up to 24 hours, full charge in about 3 hours over USB-C | 13.3 × 4.6 × 13.3 cm, 576 g, aluminium and leather, IP67 | See on Amazon |
| Le style ampliMarshall — Middleton II, portable Bluetooth speaker (black and brass) | 360° stereo, 2 × 3-inch woofers and 2 tweeters, 2 × 30 W + 2 × 10 W class D, Bluetooth 5.3, AUX input | 30+ hours, 20 minutes of charging gives 5 hours, full charge in 3 hours, replaceable battery | 230 × 110 × 98 mm, 1.8 kg, IP67 | See on Amazon |
| Pour la fêteBose — SoundLink Max, portable Bluetooth speaker (black) | stereo, Stereo and Party modes with a second speaker, aptX Adaptive, Bluetooth 5.4, AUX input | up to 20 hours, 5-hour charge, USB-C in and out | 12 × 26.5 × 10.5 cm (H × W × D), 2.2 kg, IP67 | See on Amazon |
How these were chosen
- The design, in the room where it will live
- A design speaker stays on display all year. A discreet aluminium pebble, a black-and-brass rock amp or a sporty block with a handle: pick the style that suits your home, not just the photo.
- Size versus space
- B&O rates the A1 for a 5 to 30 m² room. For a large living room or a garden, a bigger speaker such as the Middleton II or the SoundLink Max has more in reserve.
- What it does besides music
- Hands-free calls, charging your phone, an AUX input for a turntable: these details differ from one speaker to the next and often settle the choice.
Three design speaker styles, three sizes
These three speakers are not in the same size class. The Beosound A1 3rd Gen is a pebble 13.3 cm across and 4.6 cm thick, which sits on a shelf or hangs from its strap. The Marshall Middleton II is a 23 cm block wrapped in black with a brass logo. The Bose SoundLink Max is the biggest, about 26.5 cm wide, with a rope handle.
The design follows the size: the A1 blends into the decor, the Middleton II wears it like a small rock amp, the SoundLink Max looks sportier. If you want a speaker you barely notice, the A1; if you want an object that shows off its style, the Marshall.
B&O A1 vs Marshall Middleton II vs Bose SoundLink Max: what sets them apart
Claimed battery life runs from 20 hours for the SoundLink Max to more than 30 hours for the Middleton II, with the A1 at 24 hours. All three are IP67 rated, so they survive rain and a drop into shallow water, according to their makers.
For calls, the A1 has three microphones and the Middleton II a built-in one; the SoundLink Max has none. For a turntable or an old player, the Middleton II and the SoundLink Max have a 3.5 mm AUX input; the A1 only has a USB-C port, which also handles streaming. The two larger ones can charge your phone. The Marshall Emberton III, smaller than the Middleton II, is featured in our design tech objects guide.
How these three were chosen
Three Bluetooth speakers available on Amazon, from three different brands known for their design, each publishing a full spec sheet. A gift idea for Saint Nicholas or Christmas, provided you pick the size that suits the room.
None was tested in a lab. The characteristics quoted come from the manufacturer pages (Bang & Olufsen, Marshall, Bose) and the Amazon listings, nothing else. Each card below also says when not to choose it.
The models in detail
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Our pick
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd GenPortable Bluetooth speaker (Rustic Red)
A round speaker in anodised aluminium with a waterproof leather strap, designed by Cecilie Manz, with 360° sound, up to 24 hours of battery life, IP67 protection and three microphones for calls.
- Sound60 W in total (2 × 30 W class D), 54 to 20,000 Hz, aptX Adaptive and AAC, stereo pairing with another A1
- Batteryup to 24 hours, full charge in about 3 hours over USB-C
- Format13.3 × 4.6 × 13.3 cm, 576 g, aluminium and leather, IP67
Avoid ifYou want to fill a large living room or a garden: B&O rates it for a 5 to 30 m² room. It also has no AUX input, only USB-C.
See on AmazonLive price and availability on amazon.com.be
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Le style ampli
Marshall Middleton IIPortable Bluetooth speaker (black and brass)
A speaker styled like a Marshall amp, with 360° stereo sound, more than 30 hours of battery life, IP67 protection, a microphone for calls and the ability to charge your phone.
- Sound360° stereo, 2 × 3-inch woofers and 2 tweeters, 2 × 30 W + 2 × 10 W class D, Bluetooth 5.3, AUX input
- Battery30+ hours, 20 minutes of charging gives 5 hours, full charge in 3 hours, replaceable battery
- Format230 × 110 × 98 mm, 1.8 kg, IP67
Avoid ifYou want a light object for a bedside table: it weighs 1.8 kg and is 23 cm long.
See on AmazonLive price and availability on amazon.com.be
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Pour la fête
Bose SoundLink MaxPortable Bluetooth speaker (black)
The largest of the three, with stereo sound and deep bass, a removable rope handle, 20 hours of battery life, IP67 protection, an AUX input and a USB-C port that can also charge your phone.
- Soundstereo, Stereo and Party modes with a second speaker, aptX Adaptive, Bluetooth 5.4, AUX input
- Batteryup to 20 hours, 5-hour charge, USB-C in and out
- Format12 × 26.5 × 10.5 cm (H × W × D), 2.2 kg, IP67
Avoid ifYou want to take calls through the speaker: Bose states it has no microphone. It is also the heaviest of the three, at 2.2 kg.
See on AmazonLive price and availability on amazon.com.be
Frequently asked questions
B&O A1 or Marshall Middleton II: which should I choose?
The Beosound A1 3rd Gen is the most compact and elegant: 576 g, 13.3 cm across, rated by B&O for a 5 to 30 m² room. The Middleton II weighs 1.8 kg but claims more than 30 hours of battery against 24, can charge your phone and has a 3.5 mm AUX input. For a shelf or bedside table, the A1; for a terrace or a picnic, the Middleton II.
Bose SoundLink Max or Marshall Middleton II?
Both are IP67 and have an AUX input. The Middleton II claims more than 30 hours of battery and a microphone for calls; the SoundLink Max claims 20 hours, no microphone, and it is heavier (2.2 kg against 1.8 kg). The Bose is aimed at parties, with a rope handle and a Party mode to play across two speakers.
What is the most beautiful Bluetooth speaker?
It is a matter of taste, but the Beosound A1 is often cited because it does not look like a speaker: a disc of anodised aluminium with a waterproof leather strap. If you prefer a vintage look, the Marshall Middleton II borrows the codes of guitar amps. The smaller Marshall Emberton III is in our design tech objects guide.
Can you take calls with the Bose SoundLink Max?
No. Bose says in its FAQ that the SoundLink Max has no microphone and cannot be used for calls. If you want to answer the phone through the speaker, the Beosound A1 (three microphones) or the Middleton II (built-in microphone) can.
Can two Beosound A1 speakers be paired in stereo?
Yes. Bang & Olufsen lists stereo pairing between two Beosound A1 2nd and 3rd Generation speakers, through the Bang & Olufsen app.