Short answer: the LG Xboom Stage 301 unless price decides it. It ranks #33 of 90 boombox speakers against the Skullcandy Barrel’s #55 of 90, and its wedge design doubles as a karaoke hub with a replaceable battery. The Barrel costs $67.81 less and adds an IPX5 rating plus a lightshow synced to music, but its bass is not as deep as the top ranked speakers.
Buy the LG Xboom Stage 301. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $67.81 with the Skullcandy Barrel does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Water resistance is not close: the Skullcandy Barrel is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the LG Xboom Stage 301 at IPX4 (splashing).
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| LG Xboom Stage 301 | Skullcandy Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.99 | $162.18 |
| Ranked | #33 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #55 of 90 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| App | Yes (LG Xboom app) | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 120W | 60W |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.1” x 3.5” (220 x 80 x 90 mm) | 11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woofer + dual 2.5” midrange drivers (Peerless) | 2x 20mm drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Strap | No | - |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for LG Xboom Stage 301:
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
LG Xboom Stage 301: $229.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Wedge-style design works as a karaoke hub with removable/replaceable battery. Multiple standing positions. AI audio optimization via Dual-Bar lighting. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
Cons: overpriced for what it is. Not the greatest frequency response.
Full LG Xboom Stage 301 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 120W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (LG Xboom app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.1” x 3.5” (220 x 80 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” woofer + dual 2.5” midrange drivers (Peerless) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs (6.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs Zealot S95!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Mike O’Brien: What Did LG Just Launch? (NEW will.i.am x LG xboom Speakers)
- GYMCADDY: LG’s New xboom Speaker And Earbud Lineup Explained - Meet The Stage 301, Bounce, Grab And Buds! More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs Zealot S95
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- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs W-King D20
- LG Xboom Stage 301 vs W-King X20
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Skullcandy Barrel: $162.18 Amazon eBay
Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
Full Skullcandy Barrel review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 60W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 22.1” x 9.6” (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
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