Short answer: the JBL Boombox 2. It ranks #39 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $449.99. The Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #60, rated 3.0/5, at $399.99, $50 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the JBL Boombox 2 does well: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. Watch for: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
What the Sony SRS-XG500 does well: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. The tradeoff: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
One note: the JBL Boombox 2 is no longer sold new, but at #39 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the JBL Boombox 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $50 you would save on the Sony SRS-XG500 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 2 | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 Discontinued | $399.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #39 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #60 of 89 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 | - |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | - |
| Amplifier 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Strap | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Boombox 2:
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- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Partybox Encore vs JBL Boombox 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
JBL Boombox 2: $449.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5.
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. Measured bass extension of 46Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 160W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 7.9” x 10.1” (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 108dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 vs Onyx Studio 7 big bass battle 💋
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs JBL Boombox 2 big bass boombox speakers 💕
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 2 bass monster or the mature Harman Kardon Go+ Play 2 mini for bass?? 💥
- Mateusz Cholewa: 2 x 🔊Teufel Boomster 2021🎵 vs JBL Boombox 2 AC🔌 Power Test Audio🎧. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Boombox 2 Vs UE Hyperboom Vs Sony XG500 More from GYMCADDY →
- 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 Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs W-King H10
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
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