Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB43. It ranks #42 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $150; the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega ranks #73 and costs $249, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Sony SRS-XB43 offers: 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. Watch for: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
What the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega offers: 80W power with 105dB output, BassUp technology for body-shaking bass. 20,000mAh battery for 24 hours claimed (18 hours for Trance variant). IPX7 waterproof with LED light show. USB port charges devices. Soundcore app with EQ customization, multipoint pairing, can link speakers for Party Mode. Watch for: Hugely recessed mids and treble
Buy the Sony SRS-XB43. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
The Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 77 large speakers; there are better options higher up.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $249 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #42 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 97dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 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 | 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) | 7" x 7" x 13.3" (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Output Power | 32W RMS | 80W |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- Soundcore Motion X600 vs Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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 eBay
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 |
- 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 Trance/Rave Mega: $249 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 80W power with 105dB output, BassUp technology for body-shaking bass. 20,000mAh battery for 24 hours claimed (18 hours for Trance variant). IPX7 waterproof with LED light show. USB port charges devices. Soundcore app with EQ customization, multipoint pairing, can link speakers for Party Mode.
Cons: Hugely recessed mids and treble. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 7" x 13.3" (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 97dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs LG Xboom XG7
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs W-King D9
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs Soundcore Rave Neo
- Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega vs LG PN7
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