Short answer: the Sonos Move for better sound quality, the Sony SRS-XB43 for the lower price. The Sonos Move ranks #27 of 77 large speakers at $299.95. The Sony SRS-XB43 ranks #42 at $150, $149.95 cheaper.
What the Sonos Move offers: Warm sounding with somewhat rolled off treble. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as others in the category, less bass extension than an Xtreme 2.
On the Sony SRS-XB43 side: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Twin passive radiators deliver Extra Bass impact. The catch: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Buy the Sonos Move if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony SRS-XB43 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XB43 is rated for 24 hours versus 11 hours for the Sonos Move.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonos Move | Sony SRS-XB43 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 Discontinued | $150 |
| Ranked | #27 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP56 | IP67 |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum) | USB-C |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg | 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg |
| Wifi | Yes | - |
| App | No | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 band) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm) | 12.8" x 4.8" x 4.6" (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos) | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer | 32W RMS |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Max Volume | 92dB | 99dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 85ms |
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- Soundcore Rave Neo 2 vs Marshall Middleton II
- Minirig 3 with subwoofer vs Sony ULT Field 5
- Minirig 2 with subwoofer vs Sony ULT Field 5
- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Sonos Move
- Sonos Move vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
The Two Speakers In Full
Sonos Move: $299.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Warm sounding with somewhat rolled off treble.
Cons: Not stereo. Not as deep bass as others in the category, less bass extension than an Xtreme 2. Pumping and compression artifacts at higher volume. Not very loud. Discontinued.
Full Sonos Move review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 11 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos) |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP56 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs / 3 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Ezekielo: JBL Xtreme 2 vs Sonos Move with Sound Comparison
- NeverEnoughTech: soundcore Motion X600 vs. Sonos Move vs. Bose Soundlink Revolve II
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Smart Home Sounds: Sonos Move 1 Vs Move 2: What’s The Difference?
- Reddit Search for Sonos Move Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XB43: $150
Pros: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Twin passive radiators deliver Extra Bass impact. IPX7 waterproof and rugged. Up to 24 hour battery (14 hours with lights on). Party lights for visual appeal.
Cons: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Setup: Try out +3 +6 +3 as an EQ to get it as flat as possible as mentioned in the Alan Ross video
Full Sony SRS-XB43 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 4.8" x 4.6" (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 32W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Boom vs Sony XB43 - a step to far? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb33 vs xb43 vs Soundcore Motion Plus speakers test
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal.
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XB43 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons