Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max. It ranks #17 of 82 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5); the Orange Box ranks #71 (rated 2.5/5).
The case for the Bose SoundLink Max: IP67 rated - dustproof and waterproof to 1m. The catch: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
Why pick the Orange Box: 50W RMS output power, IPX7 waterproof, 15-hour battery life, guitar amp-inspired vintage design, 102mm woofer with dual tweeters, Bluetooth 5.0, AUX input, TWS pairing, built-in microphone, solid wood construction. The catch: Pathetic bass extension, port noise, hollow sounding.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Orange Box.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Orange Box | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | £275 |
| Ranked | #17 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #71 of 82 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 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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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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: $399.00 Amazon eBay
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 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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Orange Box: £275 Orange Amplification eBay
Pros: 50W RMS output power, IPX7 waterproof, 15-hour battery life, guitar amp-inspired vintage design, 102mm woofer with dual tweeters, Bluetooth 5.0, AUX input, TWS pairing, built-in microphone, solid wood construction
Cons: Pathetic bass extension, port noise, hollow sounding. Jagged frequency response, big dip at 260Hz and wavy up top.
Full Orange Box review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11” x 6.9” x 6.7” (280 x 175 x 170 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 102mm woofer, 2x 51mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 35Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs (3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons