Short answer: the Sony ULT Field 5 for better sound quality, the Tronsmart Force Max for the lower price. The Sony SRS-XB43 ranks higher than the Tronsmart Force Max (#56 vs #79 of 103 large speakers) but is discontinued. Its replacement, the Sony ULT Field 5, is rated 3.5/5 at $348; the Tronsmart Force Max is rated 3.0/5 at $119.99, $228.01 cheaper.
The Sony SRS-XB43 is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 13 for the Tronsmart Force Max. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Tronsmart Force Max. Watch for: Not as loud as others in the category.
The case for the Tronsmart Force Max: Two woofers, two tweeters and two passive radiators on opposite faces spread its 80W of sound all around it. The tradeoff: Sonido Pesado found the Tronsmart Halo 100 clearly better, with clearer mids and highs.
Buy the Tronsmart Force Max if price matters most. For better sound quality, the Sony ULT Field 5, the replacement for the discontinued Sony SRS-XB43, is rated higher but costs $348.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Tronsmart Force Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 Discontinued | $119.99 |
| Ranked | #56 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours at 50% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) | 5.6 lbs (2.54 kg) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | Yes (3 presets) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX6 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No (front/rear drivers) |
| Omnidirectional | No | 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”H x 10.2”W x 3.3”D (153 x 258 x 85 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS | 80W |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 2x woofers + 2x tweeters + 2x passive radiators (front and rear) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Charging Time | - | 4 to 5 hours |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (built-in strap) |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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
- 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
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tronsmart Force Max: $119.99 Tronsmart eBay
Pros: Two woofers, two tweeters and two passive radiators on opposite faces spread its 80W of sound all around it. IPX6 water resistance, a 13 hour battery rating at half volume, a retractable strap, aux input, TF card and USB playback, a USB-C power bank, three EQ presets, a speakerphone microphone and stereo pairing.
Cons: Sonido Pesado found the Tronsmart Halo 100 clearly better, with clearer mids and highs. The Force Max’s mids are recessed and it audibly distorts near full volume, which Dominik Reviews put down to a poorly set limiter, and listeners preferred the Sony SRS-XB43 for balance. There is no app, it uses the older Bluetooth 5.0, and it weighs 2.54 kg.
Full Tronsmart Force Max review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 13 hours at 50% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4 to 5 hours |
| Dimensions | 6”H x 10.2”W x 3.3”D (153 x 258 x 85 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x woofers + 2x tweeters + 2x passive radiators (front and rear) |
| EQ | Yes (3 presets) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No (front/rear drivers) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 5.6 lbs (2.54 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Sonido Pesado: TRONSMART HALO VS FORCE MAX
- Sonido Pesado: Reacciono al sonido, tronsmart FORCE MAX vs SONY XB 43
- Dominik Reviews: Tronsmart Force Max vs Tronsmart Bang - Distortion vs Boom? - Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Audio y Mas: Tronsmart Force Max vs Bang Mini
- NozeeD StudiO: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Tronsmart Force Max Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tronsmart Force Max vs Marshall Stockwell III
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- Tronsmart Force Max vs Klipsch Detroit
- Tronsmart Force Max vs DOSS Soundbox XL
- Tronsmart Force Max vs Tronsmart Halo 100
- Tronsmart Force Max vs W-King D9
- Tronsmart Force Max vs Sony ULT Field 5
- Tronsmart Force Max vs Tronsmart Bang 2
- See all 16 comparisons