Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max. It ranks #17 of 82 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5); the Teufel Rockster Cross 2 ranks #22 (rated 4.2/5).
The SoundLink Max has deep, rich bass, reaching about 48Hz with fairly neutral tuning, but it has a big upper bass peak, a dipped midrange and distorts above about 80% volume. The Cross 2 sounds almost identical to the original Cross, which is fairly neutral and vocal focused with punchy bass, and its app EQ adds bass punch.
Battery: Bose claims 20 hours and real world testing found over 40. Teufel claims 38 hours, or 46 in Eco Mode.
Toughness: the Max is IP67 against the Cross 2’s IPX5. Both have an aux input and a USB-C power bank. The Max weighs 2.2 kg, the Cross 2 2.4 kg.
Connectivity: the Cross 2 adds AAC, multipoint and a USB-C sound card. The Max is SBC only.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Teufel Rockster Cross 2.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Teufel Rockster Cross 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | €249.99 |
| Ranked | #17 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Teufel Go) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 38 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| EQ | No | Yes (bass and treble, presets) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Party Link Stereo) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 15.4” x 5.9” x 5.1” (390 x 150 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 120mm woofer, 2x 20mm textile dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | No | Yes (adjustable strap) |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 101dB (measured by M1M Tech Channel) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 40W RMS |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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. 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 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 |
| 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
- 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. More from ScottsReviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro Max 100W vs BOSE Soundlink MAX More from Mateusz Cholewa →
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Teufel Rockster Cross 2: €249.99 Teufel eBay
Older model: the Teufel Rockster Cross (rated 4.2/5).
Pros: Keeps the original Rockster Cross’s sound, which was fairly neutral and vocal focused with punchy, well controlled bass, and the new Teufel Go app EQ gets noticeably more bass punch out of it than the original could manage. Claimed battery life more than doubles to 38 hours, or 46 in Eco Mode. USB-C charging with a power bank output and a built-in USB-C sound card, a 3.5mm aux input, multipoint pairing, AAC, and Party Link for a true stereo pair or up to 100 current Teufel speakers.
Cons: It uses the same drivers and amplifier as the 2018 original, so without EQ the two sound almost identical, even at maximum volume, and it measured about the same 101dB. In a direct comparison it struggles somewhat against the Soundcore Boom 2. aptX was dropped, water protection is still only IPX5 (water jets, not submersion), Party Link does not work with the original Cross, and the app’s bass and treble controls are limited. It is not sold in the US.
Full Teufel Rockster Cross 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Teufel Go) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 38 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 15.4” x 5.9” x 5.1” (390 x 150 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer, 2x 20mm textile dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble, presets) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by M1M Tech Channel) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (adjustable strap) |
| TWS | Yes (Party Link Stereo) |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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