Short answer: the X20, for $100 more. It ranks #28 of 71 boombox speakers at $249.99; the Barrel ranks #38 at $150.
The Barrel’s feature list is real: water resistance, an LED lightshow synced to music, and Multi-Link for up to 99 speakers. Our notes say it still trails the top of the class on bass depth and loudness, with rolled-off treble.
The X20 leans on a 7.5-inch subwoofer and 330W peak power, with cons limited to a rising frequency response and peaks at 700Hz and 1.2kHz.
Buy the X20 for the better ranking. Buy the Barrel if the $100 saved matters more to you.
Specifications Side By Side
| Skullcandy Barrel | W-King X20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $249.99 after coupon |
| Ranked | #38 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #28 of 70 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz | ~42Hz |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg | 15.9 lbs / 7200 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Skullcandy app) | Yes (W-King app) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App + button modes) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Output Power | 60W | 330W peak / 200W RMS |
| Dimensions | 11.81" x 22.05" x 9.60" | 50.6cm x 21.7cm x 27cm |
| Drivers | 2x 20mm drivers | 7.5" subwoofer + drivers |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 104dB | 112dB |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
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
W-King X20: $249.99 after coupon Amazon
Pros: 200W RMS output with 330W peak power, 112dB max volume, exceptional 24-hour battery life with power bank, IPX6 waterproof, EQ with app control and button modes, 7.5-inch subwoofer, Bluetooth 5.3, dual pairing, MicroSD and USB playback, AUX input, TWS stereo mode with 240W combined
Cons: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700hz and 1.2khz peaks
| App | Yes (W-King app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~42Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Dimensions | 50.6cm x 21.7cm x 27cm |
| Drivers | 7.5" subwoofer + drivers |
| EQ | Yes (App + button modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 112dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 330W peak / 200W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 15.9 lbs / 7200 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- Alan Ross Reviews: pound for pound battle! WKing X20 D20 vs Stormbox Blast! OMG its a shocker!
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Jbl Encore!!! 😁😁😁
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Skullcandy Barrel XT!!! 🤔😋
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore RAVE 3 🤗v🆚s W- KING X20🎶
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 🍿 Garage Battle of Boombox Speakers 🍻Custom & Standard EQ’s
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Techder Audios: W-king X20 VS Zealot S95 DEEP BASS VS DEEPER & LOUDER BASS?!
- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!!
- Jagist reviews: W-king X20 Vs Gemini GRV-650L!!! 😍😍😍
- Jagist reviews: Bugani Boost Max Vs W-king X20!!! 😍😍😍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Zealot S78 Bluetooth Boombox Battle Outdoor Tailgater Special 🚗 Let the Whoopin’ Begin
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- 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.