Short answer: the Brane X for better sound quality, the Soundcore Motion X500 for the lower price. The Brane X ranks #4 of 82 large speakers, rated 4.6/5, at $500. The Soundcore Motion X500 ranks #27, rated 4.1/5, at $99.99, $400.01 cheaper.
What the Brane X does well: The Brane X pairs a dedicated RAD subwoofer with two midrange drivers and two tweeters to achieve extraordinary low bass for a 3.5kg portable: its measured -10dB extension is 31Hz. Watch for: The front-facing design has only moderate dispersion, so sound changes noticeably off to the sides or behind it.
What the Soundcore Motion X500 does well: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). The tradeoff: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit.
Buy the Brane X if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Soundcore Motion X500 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Brane X | Soundcore Motion X500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500 | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #4 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 295ms default, 33ms with aux pass-through | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC | LDAC, SBC |
| IP Rating | IP57 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Brane app, up to 8 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| App | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa | - |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Dimensions | 9.3” x 7” x 6.1” (236 x 178 x 155 mm) | 8.7” x 8” x 3.2” (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” midrange, 2x 0.75” tweeters + 6.5”x9” subwoofer | 2x 58mm (2.3”) forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7”) upward-firing driver |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Brane X compares with other leading options:
- Brane X vs Vifa Helsinki
- Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Brane X vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Brane X vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
- Brane X vs Minirig 3 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
Brane X: $500 Amazon eBay
Pros: The Brane X pairs a dedicated RAD subwoofer with two midrange drivers and two tweeters to achieve extraordinary low bass for a 3.5kg portable: its measured -10dB extension is 31Hz. Independent testing finds it loud, with well-balanced mids, a smooth treble balance and useful bass-level controls; Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Alexa, quality Bluetooth codecs and low-latency aux pass-through make it unusually versatile. The medium bass-boost setting is the most balanced. Measured bass extension of 31Hz (-10dB).
Cons: The front-facing design has only moderate dispersion, so sound changes noticeably off to the sides or behind it. Bass response shifts at maximum volume, the default aux mode has very high latency, and some listeners find the upper register edgy or need EQ to achieve their preferred balance. Its claimed 12-hour runtime and premium cost make it more of a compact high-end system than a carefree all-day speaker. The upper bass is boosted around 120Hz, and the robot voice announcements can be annoying.
Full Brane X review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 295ms default, 33ms with aux pass-through |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.3” x 7” x 6.1” (236 x 178 x 155 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” midrange, 2x 0.75” tweeters + 6.5”x9” subwoofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP57 |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Brane app, up to 8 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This speaker left me shocked! Brane X, they said it defies the laws of physics! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5: Maximum Bass, No Mercy
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 HUMILIATES Brane X?! Ultimate Bass Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 2.1 or the Brane X or the Harman Kardon Go Play 3?
- mark: Brane X Speaker Review 2
- mark: Brane X Speaker Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Motion X500: $99.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). IPX7 weatherproof rating. Compact and very portable. Fine build quality at this price. Spatial Dynamic mode provides immersive sound. Gets close to 12 hour battery claim. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-10dB).
Cons: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit. Peaks at 250Hz and dip at 1kHz
Full Soundcore Motion X500 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 8” x 3.2” (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3”) forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7”) upward-firing driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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