Short answer: the LG Xboom Stage 301. It ranks #36 of 112 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $229.99. The ION Pathfinder 280 ranks #100, rated 2.2/5, at $199.99, $30 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The LG Xboom Stage 301 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A wedge shaped karaoke speaker with a swappable battery and multiple standing positions. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 10dB, against 58Hz for the ION Pathfinder 280. At 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) it weighs much less than the ION Pathfinder 280 at 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the ION Pathfinder 280 lacks. The catch: overpriced for what it is.
The ION Pathfinder 280 is the longer-running choice. A wheeled all day event speaker with a very long battery, lights, FM radio and a full graphic EQ that gets loud without strain. It is rated for 100 hours of battery against 12 for the LG Xboom Stage 301. The tradeoff: Out of the box, the midrange and treble are uneven enough to sound alternately honky and dull, and the bass does not extend as deeply as better party speakers.
Buy the LG Xboom Stage 301. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $30 with the ION Pathfinder 280 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A wedge shaped karaoke speaker with a swappable battery and multiple standing positions.
A wheeled all day event speaker with a very long battery, lights, FM radio and a full graphic EQ that gets loud without strain.
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Specifications Side By Side
| LG Xboom Stage 301 | ION Pathfinder 280 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.99 | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #36 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #100 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 100 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 23.8 lbs (10.8 kg) |
| App | Yes (LG Xboom app) | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (High/Low frequency) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 120W | 120W |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.1” x 3.5” (220 x 80 x 90 mm) | 14.8” x 10.6” x 17.6” (375.9 x 269.2 x 447 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woofer + dual 2.5” midrange drivers (Peerless) | 2x 4” (102mm) drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Wheels | - | Yes |
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