Short answer: choose the Bose S1 Pro+ for a light, mixer-focused speaker for speech and small performance; choose a Soundboks 3 only when you need dramatically higher outdoor output and accept buying a discontinued model. The Soundboks has two 10-inch woofers, a claimed 126dB maximum SPL, IP65 protection, and a 40-hour battery claim, but it weighs 15.4kg and is no longer sold by Soundboks.
The Soundboks 3 is the better outdoor volume machine. Its large drivers, horn-loaded compression tweeter, removable battery, IP65 rating, app EQ, two combo mic or instrument inputs, and TeamUp linking make it suitable for loud outdoor parties or informal performance. It is still a large carry, uses an external charging brick, is not as neutral or bass-deep as stronger Partybox options, and resale stock brings the usual battery-condition and support concerns.
The Bose is more practical where sound reinforcement needs control, not brute volume. At 6.5kg it is far easier to carry, with multiple placement angles, Auto EQ, two combo inputs, per-channel tone and reverb, and optional wireless transmitters. It has no weather protection and full-range music can distort above roughly two-thirds volume, so it is not the right choice for the crowd size that justifies a Soundboks.
Buy the Bose S1 Pro+ for a compact, current portable PA with better built-in control for a presenter or musician.
Buy the Soundboks 3 for a used, weather-resistant high-output speaker when outdoor scale and long battery life outweigh size and discontinued-model risk.
Buy the Soundboks 3. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose S1 Pro+ at the same price, so there is no real case for the other one.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the Soundboks 3 is rated for 40 hours, the Bose S1 Pro+ only 11 hours.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Soundboks 3 at IP65 (water jets) against the Bose S1 Pro+, which has no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full PA & Live Sound rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose S1 Pro+ | Soundboks 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 | $699 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #9 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers | #7 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 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) | Not specified |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IP65 |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/line/instrument), 6.3mm line, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes (2x combo) |
| Drivers | 1x 6" (152mm) woofer + 3x 2.25" (57mm) tweeters | 2x 10" (254mm) woofers + 1x 1" (25mm) compression tweeter with horn |
| Maximum SPL | 109dB | 126dB |
| Amplifier Power | 150W | Not specified |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene | Poplar plywood |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; multi-position cabinet | Not specified |
| Coverage | Not specified | Not specified |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified | Not specified |
| DSP | 3-channel mixer with EQ, reverb and Auto EQ | App EQ |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | Not specified | Not specified |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| SKAA | - | Yes |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Soundboks 3 compares with other leading options:
- Soundboks 4 vs Soundboks 3
- Bose S1 Pro+ vs Teufel Rockster Air
- Bose S1 Pro+ vs Electro-Voice Everse 8
- Turtlebox Grande vs Bose S1 Pro+
- Bose S1 Pro+ vs Audiocase S5
Prices on this page were last checked September 14, 2026 at 1:47 AM 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 eBay
Pros: Extremely compact and light with flexible placement options. Full sound with no lack of low-end output, crystal-clear audio quality. 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. Professional build quality. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: With full range music, it becomes distorted above ⅔ volume, and reviewers describe it as screeching at max volume. Better suited for voice amplification. Not as much deep bass as the Everse 8, midrange sounds reasonably balanced. 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 →
| Amplifier Power | 150W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified |
| 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 | Not specified |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | Not specified |
| 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) |
| 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
- Precision Drive Audio: Music test for BOSE S1 PRO& PD K8 & JBL EON ONE COMPACT
- Precision Drive Audio: Bose S1 pro VS PD K8 VS JBL EON ONE COMPACT
- HQ AUDIO Exchange: Bose S1 Pro vs. JBL PartyBox 100 Bass Sound Test 😱💥🔥
- briansredd: Electro-Voice Everse 8 VS Bose S1 Pro - Side By Side Shoot-Out (Attempt)
- briansredd: Q&A - Electro-Voice Everse 8 Vs Bose S1 Pro AND (Warning) My Opinion
- True Techy: BOSE S1 Pro vs JBLPartybox ENCORE This Comparison SHOCKED me!!!
- JPW Pro: EV Everse 8 vs JBL EON One Compact Review
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Shootout MACKIE THUMP GO vs BOSE S1 PRO vs JBL EON ONE COMPACT Max Volume Demo A New Winner!
- James from Canada: SOUND TESTS - Soundboks, Minirig 3, dB Technologies, Bose S1 Pro, etc - RAVE TEST
- GYMCADDY: Bose S1 Pro+ Review More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: Bose S1 Pro Vs JBL Partybox 120 & Sony XV500
- GYMCADDY: Bose S1 Pro Vs JBL Partybox 320 & Sony XV800
- Aaron Strawn: The Battery Speaker Battle: QSC/EV/Mackie/LD/Bose
- GYMCADDY: Bose S1 Pro Vs JBL Boombox 3 & Sony ULT 7
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundboks 3: $699 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Tied for the loudest battery powered speaker. Removable 40 hour battery. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Very large. Not as neutral or as deep of bass as the above Partyboxes. Not stereo. External power brick for charging. Discontinued; no longer sold by Soundboks, only third-party resale stock remains. Discontinued.
Full Soundboks 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | Not specified |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | Not specified |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Coverage | Not specified |
| DSP | App EQ |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | Not specified |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 10" (254mm) woofers + 1x 1" (25mm) compression tweeter with horn |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | Not specified |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Rigging | Not specified |
| SKAA | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons