Short answer: the Mackie Thump Go. It ranks #8 of 16 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $449.99; the Mackie ShowBox ranks #9, rated 3.5/5, and costs $699.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Mackie ShowBox: Six channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner and snapshots on a breakaway controller that clips to a mic stand. Watch for: Sounds somewhat bass heavy and dull with EQ flat, so it needs treble added for music.
The case for the Mackie Thump Go: 8-inch custom high-output woofer + 1-inch compression driver delivers powerful audio with incredible dynamic range. Watch for: Not quite as good sounding as a Electro-Voice Everse 8 or S1 Pro.
Buy the Mackie Thump Go. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Mackie ShowBox and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
About the ratings: the Mackie ShowBox’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.2 to 3.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie ShowBox | Mackie Thump Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 | $449.99 |
| Ranked | #9 of 16 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers Estimated | #8 of 16 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| Passive | No | No |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA with breakaway mixer | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| Amplifier Power | 400W peak | 200W |
| Maximum SPL | 122dB peak (manufacturer specified) | 115dB |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° | 90° H x 60° V |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 19.7” x 9.8” (300 x 500 x 249 mm) | 18” x 9.1” x 11.2” (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo mic, 4x 6.3mm instrument/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth, USB-C audio interface; XLR mix out, FX send/return, headphone out | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (3-band per channel) | Yes |
| App | No | Yes |
| Stereo | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Rigging | 36mm pole mount | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| DSP | 6-channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner, feedback eliminator, snapshots | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Cabinet Material | - | Polypropylene |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Mackie Thump Go:
- Electro-Voice Everse 12 vs Mackie Thump Go
- Mackie Thump Go vs Electrotec Stage One
- Electro-Voice Everse 8 vs Mackie Thump Go
- Teufel Rockster Neo vs Mackie Thump Go
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Mackie Thump Go
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Mackie ShowBox: $699.99 Estimated Amazon $699.99 eBay
Pros: Six channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner and snapshots on a breakaway controller that clips to a mic stand. 400W with an 8 inch woofer and compression driver reaches 122dB peak, louder than the Bose S1 Pro+. Up to 12 hours from a removable battery. USB-C audio interface and SD card recording built in. Good feedback resistance for vocals and acoustic guitar.
Cons: Sounds somewhat bass heavy and dull with EQ flat, so it needs treble added for music. Narrower 90 by 60 degree dispersion than the Bose S1 Pro+. Heavier at 9.5 kg. Not stereo and has no water resistance. Effects sound basic to some reviewers.
Full Mackie ShowBox review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 400W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA with breakaway mixer |
| Coverage | 90° x 60° |
| DSP | 6-channel mixer with effects, looper, tuner, feedback eliminator, snapshots |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 19.7” x 9.8” (300 x 500 x 249 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes (3-band per channel) |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo mic, 4x 6.3mm instrument/line, 3.5mm aux, Bluetooth, USB-C audio interface; XLR mix out, FX send/return, headphone out |
| Maximum SPL | 122dB peak (manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | No |
| Passive | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Rigging | 36mm pole mount |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Scott Uhl: BATTERY-POWERED Speaker w/ BREAKAWAY MIXER - Mackie Showbox
- Aaron Strawn: Have You Seen A Speaker Do This? Mackie ShowBOX Review
- Emily McVicker: My Review of Mackie Showbox Battery Powered PA System
- Kettner Creative: Mackie Showbox is the BEST All-In-One Speaker!
- Landon Bailey: Gig Ready for Every Musician - the Mackie SHOWBOX (it’s Great!)
- Compariffy : ⭐ MACKIE SHOWBOX VS BOSE S1 PRO ⭐ | COMPARISON
- Sound On Sound: Mackie ShowBox
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Mackie Thump Go: $449.99 Amazon $449.99 eBay
Pros: 8-inch custom high-output woofer + 1-inch compression driver delivers powerful audio with incredible dynamic range. Built-in mini live mixer with two XLR/TRS combo inputs + 3.5mm aux. Up to 12 hours battery (5 hours comfortable gig time), removable for swapping spares. Lightweight 17.6 lbs. Balanced sound with crisp highs, tight lows, natural vocals. Pair two Mackie Thump Gos for stereo via app. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Not quite as good sounding as a Electro-Voice Everse 8 or S1 Pro. Bluetooth pairing doesn’t auto connect every time. Designed for more loudness than deeper bass. Battery latch breaks easily. Handle on top also can break off. Not very deep bass
Full Mackie Thump Go review and specifications →
| Released | 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 90° H x 60° V |
| DSP | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18” x 9.1” x 11.2” (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Passive | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Sound Demonstration The New EV Everse 8 compared to The Mackie Thump Go
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Shootout MACKIE THUMP GO vs BOSE S1 PRO vs JBL EON ONE COMPACT Max Volume Demo A New Winner!
- W. Weiss: Part 2 NEW MACKIE THUMP GO review/sound demo VS JBL Compact & Bose S1Pro Most Popular portable PAs
- W. Weiss: The $400 Club - Budget Portable PA’s Mackie Thump Go, JBL Partybox 110, Yamaha DBR10
- Aaron Strawn: The Battery Speaker Battle: QSC/EV/Mackie/LD/Bose
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Mackie Thump Go vs Bose S1 Pro
- Mackie Thump Go vs Bose S1 Pro+
- Mackie Thump Go vs Soundboks 4
- Mackie Thump Go vs Teufel Rockster Air
- Mackie Thump Go vs Teufel Rockster Air 2
- Mackie Thump Go vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- Mackie Thump Go vs Soundboks 3
- Mackie Thump Go vs Electro-Voice Everse 8
- See all 39 comparisons