Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks #24 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the Sony SRS-XB43 ranks #42 and costs $150, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB43: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. The catch: Not as loud as others in the category.
On the Soundcore Motion X500 side: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). Watch for: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit.
Buy the Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XB43 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XB43 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Motion X500.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Soundcore Motion X500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #42 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 104dB |
| 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 | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 4.8" x 4.6" (325 x 123 x 117 mm) | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Output Power | 32W RMS | 40W |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- W-King D8 vs Sony SRS-XG300
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- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Motion X500
- LG Xboom Bounce vs Sony SRS-XB43
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 |
| 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? More from alanrossreviews →
- 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. More from DLXWillington →
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XB43 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Motion X500: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). IPX7 weatherproof rating. Compact and very portable. Fine build quality at this price. Spatial Dynamic mode provides immersive sound. Gets close to 12 hour battery claim.
Cons: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit. Peaks at 250hz and dip at 1khz
Full Soundcore Motion X500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Sonos Move
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Marshall Middleton II
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- See all 23 comparisons