Short answer: the JBL Boombox 2. It ranks #29 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $350; the Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #45 and costs $399.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Boombox 2 offers: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. Watch for: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
What the Sony SRS-XG500 offers: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Watch for: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Buy the JBL Boombox 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XG500 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 2 | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $399.99 |
| Ranked | #29 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP66 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms | - |
| Max Volume | 108dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| App | No | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Output Power | 160W | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) | 18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 2: $350 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. Doubles as a power bank. Bluetooth 5.1 with PartyBoost (up to 100 speakers). Reaches 101dB.
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Output Power | 160W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XG500: $399.99 Amazon
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.
Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons