These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $309.99; the Teufel Rockster ranks #7 of 11 large party speakers by sound quality at -.
What the Bose SoundLink Max gets right: It’s IP67 rated for dust and water resistance to 1m, offers up to 20 hours of rated battery life (43+ hours in real-world testing), delivers deep, rich bass with a neutral tuning and app EQ, and its USB-C port doubles as a device charger with a sturdy carry handle for portability. Set against that: it has a big peak in the upper bass with a dipped midrange and further peaks and dips higher up, doesn’t dig as deep in the bass as the Boom 2, distorts above 80% volume, and reportedly self-drains about 20% of its battery per week.
The case for the Teufel Rockster: It’s the loudest battery powered speaker around, with deeper bass than the Soundboks 2 or 3. The catch: it’s extremely heavy and not easy to carry, isn’t stereo, and is only available in Europe.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max at $309.99 if you want a large speaker. Buy the Teufel Rockster at - if you want a large party speaker instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Teufel Rockster is rated for 30 hours versus 20 hours for the Bose SoundLink Max.
If water resistance matters to you, the Bose SoundLink Max at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Teufel Rockster at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | Teufel Rockster | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $309.99 | €950 |
| Ranked | #17 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 11 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg | 68.3 lbs / 31 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | aptX, SBC |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.0 |
| Dimensions | 10.4" x 4.7" x 4.1" (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 23.1" x 30.2" x 17.8" (588 x 768 x 451 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter | 2-way: 1x 15" (380mm) woofer, 1x 1" horn-loaded tweeter |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 450W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes |
| XLR Input | - | Yes |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
| Wifi | - | No |
| Max Volume | - | 115dB |
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 |
| 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 Bose SoundLink Plus
- Bose SoundLink Max vs onn Portable FM Boombox
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Dockin D Fine+ 2
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Mee audio PartySPKR
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Sony ULT Field 5
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Ultimate Ears Epicboom
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit Xsound Mega
Teufel Rockster: €950
Pros: Loudest battery powered speaker. Deeper bass than the Soundboks 2/3.
Cons: Extremely heavy, not easy to carry. Not stereo. Only available in Europe
Full Teufel Rockster review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 23.1" x 30.2" x 17.8" (588 x 768 x 451 mm) |
| Drivers | 2-way: 1x 15" (380mm) woofer, 1x 1" horn-loaded tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 450W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 68.3 lbs / 31 kg |
| Wifi | No |
| XLR Input | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons