Short answer: the Barrel, on both price and ranking. It ranks #38 of 71 boombox speakers at $150; the Rave Party 2 ranks #41 at $199.95, $50 more.
The Rave Party 2 doesn’t have a clear strength to point to. Our own pros entry is little more than a placeholder noting it may move around as better sound samples come in, while its cons flag a poor water rating and weak bass extension.
The Barrel has a genuine feature set to justify its ranking. Water resistance, an LED lightshow synced to music, a Bass Boost mode, and a Multi-Link feature connecting up to 99 speakers, though our notes say it doesn’t reach the bass depth or loudness of the top-ranked speakers in the class.
Buy the Barrel. It’s both cheaper and better documented than the Rave Party 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| Skullcandy Barrel | Soundcore Rave Party 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #38 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Partycast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Output Power | 60W | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Dimensions | 11.81" x 22.05" x 9.60" | 19.1cm x 19.8cm x 40cm |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 104dB | - |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | AC Power brick |
The Two Speakers In Full
Skullcandy Barrel: $150 Amazon
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.
Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 11.81" x 22.05" x 9.60" |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| 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 🔋
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Boombox vs. JBL Partybox Encore Party Speaker.🛜 How Low Can You Go?😲
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT Bluetooth Boombox Speaker 📦 Unboxing, First Look & 🔉 Sound Demo
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy BARREL XT vs JBL Boombox 3 🤯Budget Banger vs Reigning Champ 🔋 Battery Powered 🏠 Indoors
- 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
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Soundcore Rave Party 2: $199.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: This speaker may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples.
Cons: Poor water rating. Bass extension doesn’t seem very good.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1cm x 19.8cm x 40cm |
| Drivers | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partycast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs. Tribit Stormbox Blast - Bluetooth Speaker Basement ⚒ Battle
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🎇 & Rave Neo 2 🎉 Head to Head Off The Floor. A Family Battle❗️
- Jagist reviews: Soundcore Rave Party 2 Bass Test 😍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Triple Threat 💸 $200 Challenge 🔋 Soundcore Rave Party 2, W-King H10, JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🔥 Unboxing & Short Sound Demo. Is This The New Speaker To Beat Under $200?💵
- Flossy Carter: Soundcore Rave Neo 2 / Rave Party 2 - Affordable Party Speakers with RGB Lights
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy Barrel XT vs Soundcore Rave Party 2 (Stock & Custom EQ) 🛜 Battery Powered🔋Let’s Get It🧨
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.