Short answer: the Bose SoundLink Max on measured sound quality, the W-King T9 on price. The Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 of 105 large speakers, rated 4.3/5, at $399. The W-King T9 ranks #50, rated 3.6/5, at $111.23, $287.77 cheaper.
The Bose SoundLink Max is the better-sounding, lighter pick. IP67 rated: dustproof and waterproof to 1m. At 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) it weighs much less than the W-King T9 at 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg). It is rated IP67, while the W-King T9 has no water resistance. Watch for: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
The case for the W-King T9: 80W output power, 106dB max volume, 24-hour battery life, power bank function, Bluetooth 5.3 with 100ft range, TWS stereo pairing with wireless microphone, dual subwoofers, RGB lighting, MicroSD and AUX support, USB-C charging, karaoke capability. The catch: Peaks in the upper mids which makes it sound a bit harsh.
Buy the Bose SoundLink Max when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the W-King T9 when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose SoundLink Max | W-King T9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $111.23 |
| Ranked | #17 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #50 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) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| 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) | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.4” x 4.7” x 4.1” (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) | 11.8” x 5.9” x 4.7” (300 x 150 x 120 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79” (20mm) tweeter | 2x 4.04” subwoofers + drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | - | 80W |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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- 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 T9: $111.23 Amazon $129.98 AliExpress $111.23 Lowest eBay
Pros: 80W output power, 106dB max volume, 24-hour battery life, power bank function, Bluetooth 5.3 with 100ft range, TWS stereo pairing with wireless microphone, dual subwoofers, RGB lighting, MicroSD and AUX support, USB-C charging, karaoke capability. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Peaks in the upper mids which makes it sound a bit harsh.
Full W-King T9 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 5.9” x 4.7” (300 x 150 x 120 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4.04” subwoofers + drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King T9 or Soundcore Motion Boom - King vs World Champion! 👌 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King T11 party boombox and Karaoke machine review vs T9, Stormbox Blast and Boombox 3.
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King t9 party speaker vs Soundcore Rave Neo and Trance (Rave Mega) 🥳
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King T9 🆚 ONN Large Party Speaker -By Request for Big Tee. Can the Smaller T9 Hang With The ONN? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons