Short answer: both are discontinued, and they are rated the same for sound quality, though neither ranks well in its class. (#116 and #117 of 151 medium speakers). Either one is only an option used, so choose on condition and price. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 151 medium speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Earfun Uboom L instead, ranked #1 at $49.79.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB30: IPX5 rated. The tradeoff: Muffled sound, worse than a XB20.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB30 or the Soundcore Flare 2, whichever you find used in better condition; both are discontinued. For a new speaker, start with the Earfun Uboom L instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB30 | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 Discontinued | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #116 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #117 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 20W |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| EQ | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony SRS-XB30:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Minirig 4 vs Sony SRS-XB30
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM 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
Sony SRS-XB30: $199 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
Pros: A compact 1kg portable with IPX5 splash protection, aux input, LDAC/AAC support, Sony’s app, speakerphone capability, power-bank output, stereo pairing and Party Chain linking. It reaches a useful 95dB maximum level and has a claimed 24-hour battery life at moderate volume, making it a convenient older outdoor option. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy. Its micro-USB charging and older Bluetooth 4.2 platform now feel dated, so it is best considered for features and used-market value rather than sound quality. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB30 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Marshall Emberton III
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Sony SRS-XE200
- See all 89 comparisons
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5” x 3.5” x 6.3” (89 x 89 x 160 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- 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 74 comparisons