Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB20 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Flare 2 for the lower price. The Sony SRS-XB20 ranks #94 of 136 medium speakers at $129. The Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #105 at $80, $49 cheaper.
On the Sony SRS-XB20 side: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. Watch for: Sounds thin at higher volumes.
What the Soundcore Flare 2 gets right: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. The tradeoff: Rolled off treble.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB20 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Flare 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Soundcore Flare 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB20 | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129 | $80 |
| Ranked | #94 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| App | Yes (SongPal) | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Output Power | 20W | 20W |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Tribit Stormbox vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Tribit Stormbox vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB20: $129
Pros: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Sounds thin at higher volumes. Bass falls away quickly.
Full Sony SRS-XB20 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (SongPal) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- See all 22 comparisons
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Amazon
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- See all 17 comparisons