Short answer: the Tribit Xsound Go. It ranks #78 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $29.97; the Bose SoundLink Color II ranks #98 and costs $139, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Bose SoundLink Color II offers: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. Set against that: Boosted bass on Color II.
The case for the Tribit Xsound Go: Well balanced sound. The catch: Lacking quite a bit of bass compared to bigger speakers.
One note: the Bose SoundLink Color II is discontinued, but it still ranks #98 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Go. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose SoundLink Color II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Xsound Go is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Bose SoundLink Color II.
If water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Xsound Go at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose SoundLink Color II at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Color II | Tribit Xsound Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.00 Discontinued | $29.97 |
| Ranked | #98 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #78 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g | 0.8 lbs / 380 g |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) | 6.9" x 2.3" x 2.2" (175 x 59 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 83Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 98dB |
| Output Power | - | 16W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Teufel Rockster Go 2 vs Treblab HD77
- JBL Charge 2 vs Tribit Xsound Surf
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- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Tribit Xsound Surf
The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Color II: $139.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once.
Cons: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose SoundLink Color II review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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Tribit Xsound Go: $29.97 Amazon
Pros: Well balanced sound. Very light (13.4 oz) and inexpensive. IPX7 rated; up to 24 hours of battery at moderate volume.
Cons: Lacking quite a bit of bass compared to bigger speakers
Full Tribit Xsound Go review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 83Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.3" x 2.2" (175 x 59 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs / 380 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Go vs Tribit Xsound Surf
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