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 #87 (rated 2.8/5) for the Ultimate Ears Megablast. If you want one new, the Sony ULT Field 5 replaces the Sony SRS-XB43 and is rated 3.5/5 at $348.
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 64Hz for the Ultimate Ears Megablast. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 16 for the Ultimate Ears Megablast. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Ultimate Ears Megablast lacks. Watch for: Not as loud as others in the category.
The Ultimate Ears Megablast is the lighter pick. Alexa integration (Wi-Fi + Bluetooth). At 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XB43 at 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg). The catch: Bass is not very deep compared to the competition.
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 Sony ULT Field 5, which replaces the Sony SRS-XB43.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | Ultimate Ears Megablast | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 Discontinued | $240 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #56 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #87 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 64Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | No |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm) | 9.3” x 3.5” (236.2 x 88.9 mm) (height x diameter) |
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS | - |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 2x 55mm fullrange, 2x 25mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Wi-Fi | - | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | - | Amazon Alexa |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony SRS-XB43 compares with other leading options:
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- 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 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
Ultimate Ears Megablast: $240 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Alexa integration (Wi-Fi + Bluetooth). 93dB loudest in UE lineup, 40% louder than Megaboom. IP67 waterproof and drop-proof. 16 hour battery. Party mode connects up to 8 speakers. Can use while charging to keep Alexa on 24/7. Measured bass extension of 64Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is not very deep compared to the competition. Discontinued.
Full Ultimate Ears Megablast review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 64Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.3” x 3.5” (236.2 x 88.9 mm) (height x diameter) |
| Drivers | 2x 55mm fullrange, 2x 25mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
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