Short answer: the Sony SRS-XP500 for balance, the Bose S1 Pro+ for compact placement. The XP500’s 20W 3-way system with dual passive radiators delivers clear highs, detailed mids and punchy bass, though it is not as loud and its bass is not as deep as a Partybox 100 or 110. The S1 Pro+ is extremely compact and light with flexible placement, but full range music distorts it above two-thirds volume. The Sony SRS-XP500 is discontinued; its replacement is the Sony SRS-XV500.
Buy the Bose S1 Pro+ ($699) for a battery-powered PA speaker; the Sony SRS-XP500 ($269) suits a party speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose S1 Pro+ | Sony SRS-XP500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 | $269.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #6 of 16 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers | #15 of 46 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Passive | No | - |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 5 hours | 3 hours |
| Dimensions | 13.1” x 9.4” x 11” (332.7 x 238.8 x 279.4 mm) | 10.8” x 22.5” x 11.6” (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/line/instrument), 6.3mm line, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | No | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes | - |
| Drivers | 1x 6” (152mm) woofer + 3x 2.25” (57mm) tweeters | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| Maximum SPL | 109dB | - |
| Amplifier Power | 150W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA | - |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene | - |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; multi-position cabinet | - |
| DSP | 3-channel mixer with EQ, reverb and Auto EQ | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz | - |
| Coverage | 120° H x 50° V | - |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony SRS-XP500:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- JBL Partybox 310 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony SRS-XP500
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
Sony SRS-XP500: $269.00 Discontinued Amazon $269.00 eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XV500, ranked lower, rated 4/5, released Jan 2024. It adds stereo pairing. Battery life goes from 20 to 25 hours. Water resistance goes from no IP rating to IPX4.
Older model: the Sony GTK-XB60 (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Sony GTK, XP and XV generation.
Pros: 20W 3-way speaker system with dual passive radiators, well-balanced sound (clear highs, detailed mids, punchy bass). 20-hour battery life, immersive room-filling sound. Party Connect feature links multiple compatible Sony speakers. USB charging port for device charging on-the-go. Built-in handle and IPX4 water resistance. Microphone input and karaoke support. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as loud and bass not as deep as a JBL Partybox 100 or JBL Partybox 110. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XP500 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.8” x 22.5” x 11.6” (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Sony SRS-XP700
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Sony SRS-XV500
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Zealot PT21
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Soundcore Rave 3S
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs JBL Partybox 300
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs JBL Partybox 110
- See all 39 comparisons