Short answer: the Barrel, on both price and ranking. It ranks #41 of 75 boombox speakers at $156.99; the Rave Party 2 ranks #44 at $159.99, $3 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.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Skullcandy Barrel at IP67 (brief submersion) against the Soundcore Rave Party 2, which has IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Skullcandy Barrel | Soundcore Rave Party 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $156.99 | $159.99 |
| Ranked | #41 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #44 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| 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-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 60W | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Dimensions | 11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm) | 7.5" x 7.8" x 15.7" (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Skullcandy Barrel:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Skullcandy Barrel
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential vs Skullcandy Barrel
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
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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Soundcore Rave Party 2: $159.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Soundcore Rave Party 2 uses 2x 4” (100mm) woofers + 2x 2” (50mm) tweeters. Its 4.6 kg, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX4 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: There is no companion app.
Full Soundcore Rave Party 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 7.8" x 15.7" (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| 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 More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
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- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🔥 Unboxing & Short Sound Demo. Is This The New Speaker To Beat Under $200?💵
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