Short answer: the Tribit Xsound Surf. It ranks #79 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $26; the Bose SoundLink Color II ranks #98 and costs $139, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Color II: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. The catch: Boosted bass on Color II.
On the Tribit Xsound Surf side: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. Watch for: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks.
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 Surf. 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 water resistance matters to you, the Tribit Xsound Surf 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 Surf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.00 Discontinued | $26 |
| Ranked | #98 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g | 1 lbs / 440 g |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 12W RMS |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
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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 |
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Tribit Xsound Surf: $26
Pros: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. About 20% louder than the XSound Go at the same volume. IPX7 rated, USB-C charging, and pairs with a second Surf for stereo.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks
Full Tribit Xsound Surf review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Drivers | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W RMS |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1 lbs / 440 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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