Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Bose Soundlink Revolve is the better pick: it ranks #61 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5), against #84 (rated 3.3/5) for the Sony XB23. If you want one new, the Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) replaces the Bose Soundlink Revolve and is rated 3.6/5 at $194.
The Bose Soundlink Revolve is the deeper-bass pick. True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers. Its bass reaches about 60Hz before falling 10dB, against 67Hz for the Sony XB23. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony XB23 lacks. The tradeoff: Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips.
Why pick the Sony XB23: Reasonably neutral. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Bose Soundlink Revolve lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Bose Soundlink Revolve lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Bose Soundlink Revolve. Watch for: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
Buy the Bose Soundlink Revolve only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II), which replaces the Bose Soundlink Revolve.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Soundlink Revolve | Sony XB23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $194.00 Discontinued | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #61 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | 67Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (660 g) | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 3.2” x 6” x 3.2” (82 x 152 x 82 mm) | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| App | Bose Connect | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| EQ | No | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 8W RMS |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bose Soundlink Revolve compares with other leading options:
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- JBL Charge 6 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- JBL Flip 6 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
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 Revolve: $194.00 Discontinued Amazon $194.00 eBay
Newer model: the Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II), ranked higher, rated 3.6/5, released Jan 2021. Water resistance goes from IPX4 to IP55. See every Bose SoundLink Revolve generation.
Same family: the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.6/5).
Pros: True 360° sound stays consistent no matter where you stand around it, unlike most portable speakers. Measured bass extension of 64.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Not stereo. Strange sizzling treble, peaks and dips. Overly boosted boomy bass at 75Hz. Discontinued.
Full Bose Soundlink Revolve review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Bose Connect |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.2” x 6” x 3.2” (82 x 152 x 82 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x omnidirectional full-range transducer (~45mm) + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (660 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Live Reviews and Q&A! Bose Soundbar, Monoprice Monitors, Bluetooth Speakers and more. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website: Bose Soundlink Revolve
- Alan Ross Reviews: The Ultimate 360 Degree Bluetooth Speaker Showdown: Bose Soundlink Revolve Vs Tribit Stormbox Pro More from alanrossreviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Sonos Play
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs JBL Charge 4
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Turtlebox Ranger
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Soundcore 3
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Bose Soundlink Revolve vs W-King D320
- See all 73 comparisons
Sony XB23: $100 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked lower, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024.
Older models: the Sony SRS-XB20 (ranked lower, rated 2.8/5) and the Sony SRS-XB21 (ranked lower, rated 2.7/5). See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of 67Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max. Discontinued.
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 8W RMS |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3” x 8.6” x 3” (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (580 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony xb23 - worse or worser? 🤭 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons