Short answer: the Mackie Thump Go. It ranks #7 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5) at $449.99 and is still sold new; the Soundboks 3 ranks #10 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Mackie Thump Go is the better-sounding choice. 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 Everse 8 or S1 Pro.
The Soundboks 3 is the longer-running, tougher pick. Tied for the loudest battery powered speaker. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 12 for the Mackie Thump Go. It is rated IP65, while the Mackie Thump Go has no water resistance. It links with other speakers (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers), which the Mackie Thump Go cannot. The tradeoff: Not as neutral or as deep of bass as the above Partyboxes.
Buy the Mackie Thump Go. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Soundboks 3 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie Thump Go | Soundboks 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 | $699 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers | #10 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 18” x 9.1” x 11.2” (457 x 230 x 285 mm) | 25.6” x 17” x 13” (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver | 2x 10” (254mm) woofers + 1x 1” (25mm) compression tweeter with horn |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | IP65 |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes (2x combo) |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB | 126dB |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 216W (3x 72W) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene | Poplar plywood |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge | 35mm pole mount socket |
| Coverage | 90° H x 60° V | - |
| DSP | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes | App EQ |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz | - |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| SKAA | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for 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 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 Thump Go: $449.99 Amazon 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 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 →
| 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 |
| 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- 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 Electro-Voice Everse 8
- Mackie Thump Go vs Electrotec Stage One
- Mackie Thump Go vs JBL Eon One Compact
- See all 37 comparisons
Soundboks 3: $699 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundboks 4, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
Pros: Tied for the loudest battery powered speaker. Removable 40 hour battery. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Very large. Not as neutral or as deep of bass as the above Partyboxes. Not stereo. External power brick for charging. Discontinued; no longer sold by Soundboks, only third-party resale stock remains.
Full Soundboks 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 216W (3x 72W) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| DSP | App EQ |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 25.6” x 17” x 13” (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 10” (254mm) woofers + 1x 1” (25mm) compression tweeter with horn |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount socket |
| SKAA | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons