Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Sony SRS-XB43 is the better pick: it ranks #56 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5), against #90 (rated 2.7/5) for the Soundcore Rave Neo. If you want one new, the Soundcore Rave Neo 2 replaces the Soundcore Rave Neo and is rated 4.2/5 at $84.99.
The Sony SRS-XB43 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 10dB, against 60Hz for the Soundcore Rave Neo. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 18 for the Soundcore Rave Neo. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Rave Neo lacks. The tradeoff: Not as loud as others in the category.
The Soundcore Rave Neo is the louder option. 50W powerful bass-heavy sound with clear mids and highs. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 106dB at full volume, against 99dB for the Sony SRS-XB43. The catch: Muddy with treble rolloff.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB43 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Soundcore Rave Neo 2, which replaces the Soundcore Rave Neo.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Soundcore Rave Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 Discontinued | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #56 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | 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 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm) | 11” x 6” x 7” (279.4 x 152.4 x 177.8 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS | 50W |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 1x 102mm woofer, 1x 51mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony SRS-XB43:
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- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Sony SRS-XB43
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- Sony SRS-XB43 vs Brane X
- Sony SRS-XB43 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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-XB43: $150 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 5, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5, released Apr 2025. See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
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. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.
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 →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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) |
- 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal. More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XG300 Review & Compared To Sony XB43 More from GYMCADDY →
- Sonido Pesado: Reacciono al sonido, tronsmart FORCE MAX vs SONY XB 43
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Rave Neo: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Rave Neo 2, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Oct 2022. See every Soundcore Rave Neo generation.
Pros: 50W powerful bass-heavy sound with clear mids and highs. IPX7 waterproof design with float capability. 18-hour battery life at moderate volumes. Beat-driven RGB lights, carry handle, USB-C charging, PowerIQ port charges devices, can link 100+ speakers via PartyCast. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Muddy with treble rolloff. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Rave Neo review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11” x 6” x 7” (279.4 x 152.4 x 177.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 102mm woofer, 1x 51mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom Plus or Soundcore Rave Neo (Trance Go) - best Soundcore speaker?? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom vs Rave Neo - Boombox Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Rave Neo vs Rave Mega - best party speaker 2021?
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King t9 party speaker vs Soundcore Rave Neo and Trance (Rave Mega) 🥳
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