Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max. It ranks #17 of 102 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $279 and is still sold new; the Dali Katch G1 ranks #83 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the better-sounding option. IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. The tradeoff: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The Dali Katch G1 is the lighter pick. Pretty neutral. At 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) it weighs much less than the Bose SoundLink Max at 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg). It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the Bose SoundLink Max lacks. The catch: Loses bass quickly after 40% volume.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Dali Katch G1 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Dali Katch G1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $279 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #17 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #83 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.0 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 10.6” x 5.4” x 1.9” (269 x 138 x 47 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 2x 89mm woofers, 2x 21mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Charging Time | - | 2 hours |
| Frequency Response | - | 49Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 50W RMS |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 SoundLink Max: $279.00 Amazon eBay
Smaller models: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen (rated 3.8/5) and the Bose Soundlink Micro (rated 3.5/5).
Pros: IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Up to 20 hour battery; real-world testing found 43+ hours. Deep, rich bass with neutral tuning, app EQ. USB-C doubles as device charger. Sturdy carry handle. The aux input has lower latency (about 33ms) than most Bluetooth connections. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange. Bass not as deep as a Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.
Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker! More from alanrossreviews →
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs. Ultimate Ears EpicBoom 🤑Big Bucks No Whammies? 💣 Let’s Find Out 😧 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One?
- Scott’s Reviews: Bose SoundLink Max First Impressions, Unboxing, and Sound Test. More from ScottsReviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max 100W vs BOSE Soundlink MAX More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Select Pro
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Dali Katch G1: $279 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Dali Katch G2, ranked higher, rated 2.8/5.
Pros: Pretty neutral
Cons: Loses bass quickly after 40% volume. A lot of compression artifacts at high volume. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued, superseded by the Dali Katch G2, which sounds nearly identical. Reverb added to the output screws up the imaging. Quite a hollow character to the sound.
Full Dali Katch G1 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 5.4” x 1.9” (269 x 138 x 47 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 89mm woofers, 2x 21mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons