Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters most, the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega if price matters most. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 77 large speakers at $399. The Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega ranks #73 at $249, $150 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 Trance/Rave Mega offers: 80W power with 105dB output, BassUp technology for body-shaking bass. 20,000mAh battery for 24 hours claimed (18 hours for Trance variant). IPX7 waterproof with LED light show. USB port charges devices. Soundcore app with EQ customization, multipoint pairing, can link speakers for Party Mode. Watch for: Hugely recessed mids and treble
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega if the price matters more than sound quality.
The Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 77 large speakers; there are better options higher up.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $249 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #17 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 63Hz |
| 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 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 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) | 7" x 7" x 13.3" (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Max Volume | - | 97dB |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs JBL Xtreme 3
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs JBL Xtreme 5
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sonos Move 2
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Ultimate Ears Megablast
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 Trance/Rave Mega: $249 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 80W power with 105dB output, BassUp technology for body-shaking bass. 20,000mAh battery for 24 hours claimed (18 hours for Trance variant). IPX7 waterproof with LED light show. USB port charges devices. Soundcore app with EQ customization, multipoint pairing, can link speakers for Party Mode.
Cons: Hugely recessed mids and treble. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 7" x 13.3" (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 97dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs Doss Extreme Boom
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs LG Xboom Go PL7
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs Zealot S67
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs LG Xboom XG7
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs W-King D9
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs Soundcore Rave Neo
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs LG PN7
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs Bogasing S8 Pro
- See all 38 comparisons