Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max on measured sound quality, the W-King D8 on price. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 105 large speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $399. The W-King D8 ranks #57, rated 3.5/5, at $69.99, $329.01 cheaper.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the better-sounding choice. IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Watch for: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
What the W-King D8 does well: At 5.4 lbs (2.43 kg), W-King D8 combines 2x 70mm woofers + 2x 31mm tweeters + passive radiators with Bluetooth and aux. The catch: Bass is limited by its 49Hz specification.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the W-King D8 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | W-King D8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $69.99 |
| Ranked | #17 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #57 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | 5.4 lbs (2.43 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 12.6” x 4.8” x 4.7” (320 x 121.9 x 119.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 2x 70mm woofers + 2x 31mm tweeters + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | - | 90W max / 50W RMS |
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How Bose SoundLink Max compares with other leading options:
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Vifa Helsinki
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Brane X
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
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
- 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 Motion Boom
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Loewe We. Hear Pro
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- See all 87 comparisons
W-King D8: $69.99 Amazon $69.99 eBay
Pros: At 2.43 kg, W-King D8 combines 2x 70mm woofers + 2x 31mm tweeters + passive radiators with Bluetooth and aux. Claimed 24 hours (manufacturer specified) battery life, ipx7 protection, up to 101db and stereo playback make its feature set practical for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 49Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment.
Full W-King D8 review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90W max / 50W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 4.8” x 4.7” (320 x 121.9 x 119.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers + 2x 31mm tweeters + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.4 lbs (2.43 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King D8 vs W-King D9 - budget boombox battle! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dockin d fine plus 2 v w king d8 budget boombox - 2020 50 watt speakers
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 speaker review 50 watts power against JBL xtreme 2 and soundcore Motion plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom vs W-King D8 and D9 - boom boom! 🥳
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 Mini vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus Speaker
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D10 speaker vs the D8, D9 and X10 WKing speakers 👀
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
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