Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max for better sound quality, the Sony SRS-XG300 for the lower price. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 77 large speakers at $399. The Sony SRS-XG300 ranks #55 at $169, $230 cheaper.
What the Bose SoundLink Max offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Sony SRS-XG300 offers: IP67 dust/waterproof rating. Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint pairing, LDAC codec support. Retractable carry handle for easy portability. Big boomy bass-forward sound, excellent for parties. Fast-charging: 10 minutes gives 70 minutes playback. Stamina mode optimizes battery. Watch for: Overly expensive. Bass not as deep as competitors. Upper mids peak. Hollow sounding. Rolled off treble. Not much clarity. Does not float. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Sony SRS-XG300 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Sony SRS-XG300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $169.00 |
| Ranked | #17 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| 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 | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 10.4" x 4.7" x 4.1" (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 12.5" x 5.4" x 5.4" (318 x 138 x 136 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter | 2x X-Balanced woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 16W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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.
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 |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| 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.
- Reddit Search for Bose SoundLink Max Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Max vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- See all 42 comparisons
Sony SRS-XG300: $169.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 dust/waterproof rating. Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint pairing, LDAC codec support. Retractable carry handle for easy portability. Big boomy bass-forward sound, excellent for parties. Fast-charging: 10 minutes gives 70 minutes playback. Stamina mode optimizes battery.
Cons: Overly expensive. Bass not as deep as competitors. Upper mids peak. Hollow sounding. Rolled off treble. Not much clarity. Does not float. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony SRS-XG300 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.5" x 5.4" x 5.4" (318 x 138 x 136 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x X-Balanced woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal. More from DLXWillington →
- Techder Audios: SONY XG300 VS SOUNDCORE MOTION BOOM More from techderaudios →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Xtreme 3 Vs Sony XG300 - Its Not Even Close More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XG300 Review & Compared To Sony XB43
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XG300 Vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XG300 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XG300 vs Klipsch Detroit
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- Sony SRS-XG300 vs B&O Beosound Level
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