Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max on measured sound quality, the W-King D9 on price. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 105 large speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $399. The W-King D9 ranks #91, rated 2.5/5, at $71.24, $327.76 cheaper.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the better-sounding pick. IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. The catch: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The W-King D9 is the longer-running option. A compact 4.4 lbs (2 kg) boombox with 60W RMS output, a claimed 106dB maximum level, a measured 47Hz -10dB bass point, IPX6 protection, power-bank output, USB-C charging, aux and microSD playback. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 20 for the Bose SoundLink Max. The catch: Treble rolls off early, limiting air and fine detail, while owner reports note Bluetooth interference and some noise at maximum speaker volume.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the W-King D9 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | W-King D9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $71.24 |
| Ranked | #17 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #91 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX6 |
| 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) | 4.4 lbs (2.0 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 4.7” x 12.4” x 4.7” (120 x 315 x 120 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 2x 40mm drivers + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 80Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 60W RMS |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Bose SoundLink Max:
- 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 D9: $71.24 Amazon $71.24 eBay
Pros: A compact 2kg boombox with 60W RMS output, a claimed 106dB maximum level, a measured 47Hz -10dB bass point, IPX6 protection, power-bank output, USB-C charging, aux and microSD playback. Long-term owners praise its loud, punchy character and useful indoor/outdoor voicing for casual outdoor listening. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Treble rolls off early, limiting air and fine detail, while owner reports note Bluetooth interference and some noise at maximum speaker volume. There is no app or adjustable EQ, and its bass does not reach as deep as larger rivals, so it is better suited to energetic background music than neutral listening.
Full W-King D9 review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2020 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 60W RMS |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.7” x 12.4” x 4.7” (120 x 315 x 120 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 4.4 lbs (2.0 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons