Short answer: the JBL Partybox On the Go. It ranks #44 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $300; the Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #45 and costs $344.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Partybox On the Go offers: Included wireless microphone. Watch for: Poor water rating.
On the Sony SRS-XG500 side: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Set against that: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Buy the JBL Partybox On the Go. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XG500 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XG500 is rated for 30 hours versus 6 hours for the JBL Partybox On the Go.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox On the Go | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $300 | $344.99 |
| Ranked | #44 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP66 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs / 7.5 kg | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Output Power | 100W | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Dimensions | 19.3" x 8.8" x 9.6" (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) | 18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1" woofer + tweeters | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| Max Volume | 94dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Boombox 2 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox On the Go: $300 Amazon
Pros: Included wireless microphone.
Cons: Poor water rating. Horrible battery life. Probably the worst sounding of the Partybox line. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
Full JBL Partybox On the Go review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.3" x 8.8" x 9.6" (489 x 224 x 244.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.1" woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 94dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs / 7.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs JBL Boombox
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs B&O Beolit 20
- JBL Partybox On the Go vs JBL Authentics 300
- See all 16 comparisons
Sony SRS-XG500: $344.99 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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Boombox
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- 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 onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs B&O Beolit 20
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Authentics 300
- See all 16 comparisons