Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max for better sound quality, the Soundcore Motion X600 for the lower price. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 77 large speakers at $309.99. The Soundcore Motion X600 ranks #19 at $150, $159.99 cheaper.
What the Bose SoundLink Max gets right: 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.
On the Soundcore Motion X600 side: Firmware 4.2.9 is a big improvement in sound quality over previous releases. Set against that: Stock frequency response is wavy.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Motion X600 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Bose SoundLink Max is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Motion X600.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Soundcore Motion X600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $309.99 | $150 |
| Ranked | #17 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #19 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | 83ms |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg | 5.2 lbs / 2.35 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.4" x 4.7" x 4.1" (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 11.8" x 4.8" x 3.2" (300 x 121 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter | 2x 60mm woofers, 2x 27mm tweeters, 1x 50mm upward-firing driver |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 104dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bose SoundLink Max: $309.99 Amazon
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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker!
- 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 😧
- 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 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 Bose SoundLink Plus
- Bose SoundLink Max vs onn Portable FM Boombox
- See all 23 comparisons
Soundcore Motion X600: $150 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Firmware 4.2.9 is a big improvement in sound quality over previous releases. Try this Oluv EQ for the best sound quality
Cons: Stock frequency response is wavy. Use spatial mode for best sound quality. Need a different EQ for each volume step. Dip in the upper bass around 120hz. Rising frequency response, treble a little hot. Would be ranked around #20 without the Oluv EQ. Even with the Oluv EQ the bass isn’t very deep and the sound is still a little unnatural.
Full Soundcore Motion X600 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 83ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 4.8" x 3.2" (300 x 121 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 60mm woofers, 2x 27mm tweeters, 1x 50mm upward-firing driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs / 2.35 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion X600 now tuned by Alan Ross (sort of) Not clickbait!
- Alan Ross Reviews: breaking news…..Soundcore Motion X600 with LDAC and spatial audio!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Spatial Audio: Soundcore Motion X600 Vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion x600 (best speaker ever) or two motion booms?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Craziest firmware update ever - Soundcore Motion X600 3.2.8/4.2.8 🤦♀️
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Motion X600 vs VIFA Helsinki
- NeverEnoughTech: soundcore Motion X600 vs. Sonos Move vs. Bose Soundlink Revolve II
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: TREBLAB HD-360 (360° Sound) vs Soundcore Motion X600 (Spatial Sound)😮💨 Cornered in Basement Kitchen
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Motion X600 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Motion X500
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- See all 23 comparisons