Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max. It ranks #17 of 120 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $399. The Orange Box ranks #99, rated 2.5/5, at $359, $40 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A rugged waterproof speaker with deep bass, a very long real world battery and a port that charges your phone. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 15 for the Orange Box. At 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Orange Box at 6.6 lbs (3 kg). The tradeoff: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
Why pick the Orange Box: A guitar amp styled speaker with a solid wood cabinet, waterproofing, and stereo pairing for a striking retro look. The catch: Pathetic bass extension, port noise, hollow sounding.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $40 you would save on the Orange Box does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Orange Box | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $359.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #99 of 120 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) | 15 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 | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 11” x 6.9” x 6.7” (280 x 175 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 1x 102mm woofer, 2x 51mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 50W RMS |
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