Short answer: the Bose S1 Pro+. It ranks #6 of 16 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $699; the Mackie ShowBox ranks #9, rated 3.5/5, and costs $699.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Bose S1 Pro+ is the better-sounding choice. Extremely compact and light with flexible placement options, and very loud for its size. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Mackie ShowBox lacks. It links with other speakers (Bose Party mode), which the Mackie ShowBox cannot. The catch: Leans toward a bright sound signature, and its bass bottoms out as the volume rises, so full range music suffers well before maximum loudness.
Why pick the Mackie ShowBox: Six channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner and snapshots on a breakaway controller that clips to a mic stand. Watch for: Sounds somewhat bass heavy and dull with EQ flat, so it needs treble added for music.
Buy the Bose S1 Pro+. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Mackie ShowBox and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
About the ratings: the Mackie ShowBox’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.2 to 3.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose S1 Pro+ | Mackie ShowBox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 | $699.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 16 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers | #9 of 16 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers Estimated |
| Passive | No | No |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Charging Time | 5 hours | - |
| Dimensions | 13.1” x 9.4” x 11” (332.7 x 238.8 x 279.4 mm) | 11.8” x 19.7” x 9.8” (300 x 500 x 249 mm) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3-band per channel) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/line/instrument), 6.3mm line, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth | 2x XLR/TRS combo mic, 4x 6.3mm instrument/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth, USB-C audio interface; XLR mix out, FX send/return, headphone out |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 6” (152mm) woofer + 3x 2.25” (57mm) tweeters | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Maximum SPL | 109dB | 122dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 150W | 400W peak |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA | Battery-powered 2-way active PA with breakaway mixer |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene | - |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; multi-position cabinet | 36mm pole mount |
| DSP | 3-channel mixer with EQ, reverb and Auto EQ | 6-channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner, feedback eliminator, snapshots |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz | - |
| Coverage | 120° H x 50° V | 90° x 60° |
| Frequency Response | - | 48Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bose S1 Pro+ compares with other leading options:
- Bose S1 Pro+ vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
- Bose S1 Pro+ vs Electrotec Stage One
- Bose S1 Pro+ vs Electro-Voice Everse 8
- Teufel Rockster Neo vs Bose S1 Pro+
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Bose S1 Pro+
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM 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
Bose S1 Pro+: $699.00 Amazon $699.00 eBay
Older model: the Bose S1 Pro (ranked lower, rated 4/5). See every Bose S1 Pro generation.
Pros: Extremely compact and light with flexible placement options, and very loud for its size. Three-channel mixer (2 XLR/quarter-inch combo mic-instrument + 1 line/Bluetooth), each with its own OLED display for quick treble/bass/reverb adjustment. Auto EQ adjusts sound based on orientation. Multiple angled surfaces for various positioning including tilted portrait mode, plus a line out to daisy-chain a second unit. Optional WT-XLR/WT-INST wireless transmitters dock, pair, and charge right in the speaker for a cable-free mic or instrument. Up to 11 hours battery life. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Leans toward a bright sound signature, and its bass bottoms out as the volume rises, so full range music suffers well before maximum loudness. Better suited for voice and instrument amplification than for casual music listening. Treble is pretty boosted. Not stereo. Designed for more loudness than deeper bass. Ports are fully exposed with no water resistance. Charges via a less common three-prong AC cable instead of the two-prong barrel cable most rivals use.
Full Bose S1 Pro+ review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Charging Time | 5 hours |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 120° H x 50° V |
| DSP | 3-channel mixer with EQ, reverb and Auto EQ |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.1” x 9.4” x 11” (332.7 x 238.8 x 279.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6” (152mm) woofer + 3x 2.25” (57mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/line/instrument), 6.3mm line, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 109dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Passive | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; multi-position cabinet |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Mackie ShowBox: $699.99 Estimated Amazon $699.99 eBay
Pros: Six channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner and snapshots on a breakaway controller that clips to a mic stand. 400W with an 8 inch woofer and compression driver reaches 122dB peak, louder than the Bose S1 Pro+. Up to 12 hours from a removable battery. USB-C audio interface and SD card recording built in. Good feedback resistance for vocals and acoustic guitar.
Cons: Sounds somewhat bass heavy and dull with EQ flat, so it needs treble added for music. Narrower 90 by 60 degree dispersion than the Bose S1 Pro+. Heavier at 9.5 kg. Not stereo and has no water resistance. Effects sound basic to some reviewers.
Full Mackie ShowBox review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 400W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA with breakaway mixer |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| DSP | 6-channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner, feedback eliminator, snapshots |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 19.7” x 9.8” (300 x 500 x 249 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes (3-band per channel) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo mic, 4x 6.3mm instrument/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth, USB-C audio interface; XLR mix out, FX send/return, headphone out |
| Maximum SPL | 122dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Passive | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Rigging | 36mm pole mount |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Scott Uhl: BATTERY-POWERED Speaker w/ BREAKAWAY MIXER - Mackie Showbox
- Aaron Strawn: Have You Seen A Speaker Do This? Mackie ShowBOX Review
- Emily McVicker: My Review of Mackie Showbox Battery Powered PA System
- Kettner Creative: Mackie Showbox is the BEST All-In-One Speaker!
- Landon Bailey: Gig Ready for Every Musician - the Mackie SHOWBOX (it’s Great!)
- Compariffy : ⭐ MACKIE SHOWBOX VS BOSE S1 PRO ⭐ | COMPARISON
- Sound On Sound: Mackie ShowBox
- Head-to-Head Comparisons