Short answer: the Turtlebox Cub, if you are buying new. The Sony SRS-XB43 ranks higher than it (#56 vs #77 of 102 large speakers, 3.5/5 vs 3.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Turtlebox Cub is still sold new at $330.
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 14 for the Turtlebox Cub. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Turtlebox Cub. The tradeoff: Not as loud as others in the category.
Why pick the Turtlebox Cub: A compact, cube-shaped Turtlebox at 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) with a real two-way layout: a 4.5 inch woofer and a 1.3 inch titanium tweeter. Watch for: The evidence so far is listening impressions from two reviews, with no side by side tests against other brands.
Buy the Turtlebox Cub if you want one new; the Sony SRS-XB43 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Turtlebox Cub | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 Discontinued | $330.00 |
| Ranked | #56 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #77 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm) | 8.6”H x 7.2”W x 5.7”D (218 x 183 x 146 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS | - |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 1x 4.5” (114mm) woofer + 1x 1.3” (33mm) titanium tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | 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 4, 2026 at 9:58 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.
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
Turtlebox Cub: $330.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A compact, cube-shaped Turtlebox at 2.4 kg with a real two-way layout: a 4.5 inch woofer and a 1.3 inch titanium tweeter. Reviewers found it very loud for its size, with warm, bass-forward tuning and a bit more bass than the Turtlebox Ranger. IP67 waterproof and dustproof, crush and drop resistant, stainless steel tie-downs, a claimed 14+ hours from a 49.95Wh battery, USB-C charging with a power bank output, stereo pairing and Party Mode.
Cons: The evidence so far is listening impressions from two reviews, with no side by side tests against other brands. One reviewer found it loses bass at high volume, and it is not as loud as the full-size Turtlebox. Turtlebox’s claimed 118dB is a figure the brand’s larger speakers have not come close to at a standard one meter distance. It is also mono from one unit, and its recessed USB-C port only fits slim cable plugs.
Full Turtlebox Cub review and specifications →
| Battery Life | 14+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 8.6”H x 7.2”W x 5.7”D (218 x 183 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 4.5” (114mm) woofer + 1x 1.3” (33mm) titanium tweeter |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons