Short answer: the B&O Beolit 20 for better sound quality, the Sony SRS-XG500 for the lower price. The B&O Beolit 20 ranks #31 of 73 boombox speakers at $649.99. The Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #45 at $344.99, $305 cheaper.
What the B&O Beolit 20 gets right: Wireless phone charging. The catch: Warm sound.
What the Sony SRS-XG500 offers: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Watch for: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Buy the B&O Beolit 20 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SRS-XG500 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XG500 is rated for 30 hours versus 8 hours for the B&O Beolit 20.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beolit 20 | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $649.99 | $344.99 |
| Ranked | #31 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6 lbs / 2.7 kg | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 240W peak | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Dimensions | 5.3" x 9.1" x 7.4" (135 x 230 x 189 mm) | 18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP66 |
| Max Volume | 93dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beolit 20: $649.99 Amazon
Pros: Wireless phone charging.
Cons: Warm sound. Rolled off treble. Bass not as deep as the Onyx Studio 7
Full B&O Beolit 20 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.3" x 9.1" x 7.4" (135 x 230 x 189 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 240W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6 lbs / 2.7 kg |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: B&O Beolit 20 vs Earfun UBoom X - everything fake?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: $600 premium Bluetooth speaker vs $115 cheapo UBoom X
- techkiste.net: B&O Beolit 20 vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0 sound-comparison with different music-genres
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beolit 20 - frequency response measurements
- Reddit Search for B&O Beolit 20 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XG500: $344.99 Amazon
Pros: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Battery care function stops charging at 90% to extend longevity. IP66 water/dust resistant. Two USB-A ports (one charges devices), mic/guitar inputs, AUX. Party mode links 100+ speakers.
Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| IP Rating | IP66 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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