Short answer: the Hopestar A90. It ranks #22 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.9/5) at $351.65 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #61 (rated 3.0/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Hopestar A90 is the better-sounding choice. A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. Watch for: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is the longer-running option. 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 8 for the Hopestar A90. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Hopestar A90 lacks. The catch: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Buy the Hopestar A90. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony SRS-XG500 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Hopestar A90 | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $351.65 | $399.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #22 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #61 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 700W | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IP66 |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) | 18.1” x 10.1” x 8.5” (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| App | No | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 49Hz |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Weight | - | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Hopestar A90:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Hopestar A90
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Hopestar A90
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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
Hopestar A90: $351.65 AliExpress eBay
Pros: A huge, powerful 700W boombox with eight drivers (two 5” woofers, two 3.5” midranges and four tweeters), a removable 36,000mAh battery and a wireless microphone. In side by side tests it had better highs, clarity and soundstage than the Zealot ZE21 while still reaching deep, reviewers picked it over the JBL Boombox 4 for its bass and output, and it sounded powerful and true to the music against the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2. Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast, IPX6, USB, TF and aux inputs, RGB lights and a strap attachment.
Cons: The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2 was the better, more refined listen in a direct comparison. The Yeahbox Sonic Boom Ultra measured roughly 3 to 5dB louder. There is no app or EQ. It is very large and heavy (13.2 kg boxed), claims only 6 to 8 hours of battery, and it is sold through AliExpress rather than US retailers.
Full Hopestar A90 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 700W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 24.6” x 9.9” x 13.4” (624.5 x 252.5 x 341.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 5” woofers + 2x 3.5” midranges + 2x 2.5” tweeters + 2x 2” ceramic tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Lights | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Boombox 4!!! Battle Of The Gods!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Firmware Updated Vs Hopestar A90!!! Rematch Of Beasts!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze41!!! Battle Of Shear Power!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerful Bass!!!
- Jagist reviews: Hopestar A90 Vs Jbl Encore Essential 2!!! Deep Bass Vs Powerhouse Bass!!!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XG500: $399.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 7, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Battery care function stops charging at 90% to extend longevity. IP66 water/dust resistant. Two USB-A ports (one charges devices), mic/guitar inputs, AUX. Party mode links 100+ speakers. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1” x 10.1” x 8.5” (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| IP Rating | IP66 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🆚 Sony SRS-XG500 - Tailgater Special - Battery Powered ☢️ Bass Boost Enabled. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Sony SRS XG 500 More from Jagistreviews →
- DLX Willington: Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Encore Essential Sound Battle More from DLXWillington →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
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