Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max. It ranks #17 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $399 and is still sold new; the Soundcore Rave Neo ranks #90 (rated 2.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Soundcore Rave Neo’s replacement, the Soundcore Rave Neo 2, is rated 4.2/5 at $84.99.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Its bass reaches about 48Hz before falling 10dB, against 60Hz for the Soundcore Rave Neo. At 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Soundcore Rave Neo at 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg). The catch: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
What the Soundcore Rave Neo does well: 50W powerful bass-heavy sound with clear mids and highs. It links with other speakers (PartyCast up to 100 speakers), which the Bose SoundLink Max cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose SoundLink Max lacks. The catch: Muddy with treble rolloff.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Soundcore Rave Neo is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Soundcore Rave Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #17 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 105 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 50W |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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 $399.00 eBay
Same family: the Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen (smaller model, rated 3.8/5), the Bose Soundlink Micro 2 (larger model, rated 3.6/5) and the Bose SoundLink Plus (larger model, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5). See every Bose SoundLink Flex, Micro, Max and Plus generation.
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 Soundcore Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.
Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →
| Released | May 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker! More from alanrossreviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max 100W vs BOSE Soundlink MAX More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- 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 →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Soundcore Rave Neo: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Rave Neo 2, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Oct 2022. See every Soundcore Rave Neo generation.
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. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Muddy with treble rolloff. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Rave Neo review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| 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) 🥳
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