Short answer: the Devialet Mania for better sound quality, the Sony SRS-XB43 for the lower price. The Devialet Mania ranks #40 of 77 large speakers at $899. The Sony SRS-XB43 ranks #42 at $150, $749 cheaper.
Where the Sony SRS-XB43 shines: It has a full, warm sound with deep, rich bass from its twin passive radiators, is IPX7 rated and rugged, offers up to 24 hours of battery life (14 with the party lights on), and includes party lights for visual flair. The flip side: it isn’t as loud as others in its category, and won’t stay at max volume, turning itself down automatically.
In favor of the Devialet Mania: It’s small and nice looking. The downside: it isn’t very loud, carries an extremely high price, has boosted bass, and its tweeters aren’t aimed at the listener, causing a huge treble rolloff off-axis compared to the Beoplay P6, along with only 10 hours of battery life and upper mids and treble that Oluv didn’t care for.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB43 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Devialet Mania if sound quality matters more than the price.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XB43 is rated for 24 hours versus 10 hours for the Devialet Mania.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony SRS-XB43 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Devialet Mania at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Devialet Mania | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $899.00 |
| Ranked | #42 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #40 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 95dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | No |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg | 5.1 lbs / 2.3 kg |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 4.8" x 4.6" (325 x 123 x 117 mm) | 6.9" x 7.6" x 5.5" (176 x 193 x 139 mm) |
| Output Power | 32W RMS | 176W |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 4x aluminum fullrange drivers, 2x woofers |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
The Two Speakers In Full
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 |
| 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
Devialet Mania: $899.00 Amazon
Pros: Small, nice looking.
Cons: Not very loud. Extremely high price. Bass boosted. Tweeters are not aimed at you and there’s a huge treble rolloff off-axis as compared to the Beoplay P6 in the comparison video. Only 10 hours of battery. Oluv didn’t like the upper mids or treble (mentioned on his Patreon)
Full Devialet Mania review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 7.6" x 5.5" (176 x 193 x 139 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x aluminum fullrange drivers, 2x woofers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Output Power | 176W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs / 2.3 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- That Speaker Guy: Devialet Mania vs Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P6 - Headphones On
- That Speaker Guy: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6 vs Devialet Mania
- HT Sound: Devialet Mania VS JBL Xtreme 2 - 60% Vol (Listen with headphones)
- BitsBytesBobs: Devialet Mania Music Audio Test Results
- Oluv Patreon: Visit at the Devialet store in Vienna
- Reddit Search for Devialet Mania Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons