Short answer: the Skullcandy Barrel for a more complete speaker, the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 if the price gap matters more. These rank #45 and #41 out of 75 boombox speakers, $66.99 apart, and the difference comes down to features and build rather than one being a clear sonic upgrade.
Neither one is the bass champion of the class. The Barrel’s own cons note flags it as not as deep or as loud as the top-ranked boomboxes, with rolled-off treble. The Onn’s cons describe it as lacking detail and bass depth next to its own step-up sibling, the Onn Large Party Gen 2. Both speakers lean on their Bass Boost style modes rather than raw driver output to get a party-speaker low end.
What the Skullcandy Barrel adds:
- Full IP67 sealing, rated for dust and submersion, versus the Onn’s splash-resistant IPX7.
- A true stereo driver layout (2x 20mm drivers) instead of the Onn’s single woofer/tweeter arrangement.
- An app with EQ adjustment, which the Onn has no app for at all.
- Multi-Link pairing for up to 99 speakers, a broader party-linking feature than the Onn’s own Party Sync Mode.
What the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 adds:
- A microphone input with a karaoke echo effect, absent on the Barrel’s spec sheet.
- A built-in FM radio with 16 presets.
- USB-A power bank output to charge a phone, which the Barrel does not offer.
- An AC power cord option, useful for stationary indoor use without draining the battery.
Jay’s Straight Up Reviews ran the two head to head with bass boost engaged on both, which is worth watching if you want to hear the price-to-performance tradeoff for yourself rather than take spec sheets alone.
Buy the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 if the karaoke mic, FM radio and power bank matter more to you than waterproofing and app control, and you want to spend less.
Buy the Skullcandy Barrel if you want a more durable, stereo-capable speaker with app EQ and don’t need the mic input or FM radio.
If battery life is a priority, the Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the Skullcandy Barrel.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 | Skullcandy Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90 | $156.99 |
| Ranked | #45 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| FM Tuner | Yes (16 presets) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync Mode) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 200W peak | 60W |
| Dimensions | 9.6" x 10.9" x 15.1" (244.1 x 277.9 x 383 mm) | 11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer + tweeters | 2x 20mm drivers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~50Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Skullcandy Barrel:
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- JBL Partybox Encore vs Skullcandy Barrel
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Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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
Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2: $90 Walmart eBay
Pros: Under $100 with LED lights synced to music. Simple controls, solid Bluetooth range. Mic input for karaoke/emcee. Built-in FM radio with 16 presets. Aux port.
Cons: Lacking detail compared to the Onn Large Party Gen 2 and not as deep of bass. Only available in the United States and Canada.
Full Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 200W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.6" x 10.9" x 15.1" (244.1 x 277.9 x 383 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" (203mm) woofer + tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes (16 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11 lbs (5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: ONN Large Party Speaker Gen 2 vs Medium Party Speaker Gen 2 🤜🤛A Family Feud🔌Plugged In Bass Boost On More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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Skullcandy Barrel: $156.99 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 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) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat Match 🔺 SkullCandy Barrel XT, Tribit Blast & Tronsmart Bang Max 📛 Bluetooth Boombox 🔋 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Bluetooth Boombox Speaker 📦 Unboxing, First Look & 🔉 Sound Demo
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- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Jagist reviews: Unboxing Of The Skullcandy Barrel XT More from Jagistreviews →
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- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs ONN Medium Party Speaker Gen. 2 😬(Both Bass Boost On🔉) The Price is Right?🤑
- Josh’s Gadgets and More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs ZZA K8 sound comparison
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