Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters most, the Soundcore Rave Neo if price matters most. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 77 large speakers at $399. The Soundcore Rave Neo ranks #64 at $80, $319 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 Soundcore Rave Neo offers: 50W powerful bass-heavy sound with clear mids and highs. IPX7 waterproof design with float capability. 18-hour battery life at moderate volumes. Beat-driven RGB lights, carry handle, USB-C charging, PowerIQ port charges devices, can link 100+ speakers via PartyCast. Watch for: Muddy with treble rolloff.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Rave Neo if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Soundcore Rave Neo. It ranks near the bottom of the 77 large speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Soundcore Rave Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $80 |
| Ranked | #17 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #64 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg | 7.7 lbs / 3.49 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| 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" x 7" (279.4 x 152.4 x 177.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter | 1x 102mm woofer, 1x 51mm fullrange |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 106dB |
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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
Soundcore Rave Neo: $80 Soundcore Rave Neo eBay
Pros: 50W powerful bass-heavy sound with clear mids and highs. IPX7 waterproof design with float capability. 18-hour battery life at moderate volumes. Beat-driven RGB lights, carry handle, USB-C charging, PowerIQ port charges devices, can link 100+ speakers via PartyCast.
Cons: Muddy with treble rolloff.
Full Soundcore Rave Neo review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11" x 6" x 7" (279.4 x 152.4 x 177.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 102mm woofer, 1x 51mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 106dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.49 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or Soundcore Rave Neo (Trance Go) - best Soundcore speaker?? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom vs Rave Neo - Boombox Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Rave Neo vs Rave Mega - best party speaker 2021?
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King t9 party speaker vs Soundcore Rave Neo and Trance (Rave Mega) 🥳
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Rave Neo Review
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