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 #53 of 97 large speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5), against #92 (rated 2.1/5) for the Soundcore Trance. If you want one new, the Tribit Stormbox Lava ranks #3 at $100.
The Sony SRS-XB43 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 10dB, against 63Hz for the Soundcore Trance. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 18 for the Soundcore Trance. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Trance lacks. The catch: Not as loud as others in the category.
The case for the Soundcore Trance: 80W power with up to 105dB output and BassUp technology. The tradeoff: Hugely recessed midrange and treble.
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, start with the Tribit Stormbox Lava instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Soundcore Trance | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 Discontinued | 49 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #53 of 97 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #92 of 97 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 | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes |
| 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) | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cord |
| 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) |
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS | 80W |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony SRS-XB43:
- Sony SRS-XB43 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Sony SRS-XB43 vs Brane X
- Sony SRS-XB43 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB43: $150 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 5, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5.
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 →
| 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
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal. More from DLXWillington →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Trance: 49 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Rave Party 2, rated 3.1/5 (also discontinued).
Pros: 80W power with up to 105dB output and BassUp technology. 18 hours claimed battery life. IPX7 waterproof rating with custom beat-driven LED lighting. Built-in USB power bank to charge mobile devices. Soundcore app provides customizable EQ and Party Mode linking. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Hugely recessed midrange and treble. Discontinued retail variant; superseded by Soundcore Rave Neo 2 and Rave Party 2.
Full Soundcore Trance review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7” x 7” x 13.3” (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 97dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons