Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB43 for better sound quality, the W-King D8 for the lower price. The Sony SRS-XB43 ranks #42 of 77 large speakers at $150. The W-King D8 ranks #43 at $69.99, $80.01 cheaper.
What the Sony SRS-XB43 gets right: A full, warm sound with deep bass reinforced by twin passive radiators, an IPX7 rugged build, up to 24 hours of battery life (14 with the party lights on), and party lights for visual flair. Set against that: it isn’t as loud as rivals, and the speaker won’t hold max volume, automatically turning itself down.
The case for the W-King D8: It’s decent sounding. The catch: mids are slightly recessed and it distorts at high volumes.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB43 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the W-King D8 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | W-King D8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $69.99 |
| Ranked | #42 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 101dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg | 5.4 lbs / 2.43 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 |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 4.8" x 4.6" (325 x 123 x 117 mm) | 12.6" x 4.8" x 4.7" (320 x 121.9 x 119.4 mm) |
| Output Power | 32W RMS | 90W max / 50W RMS |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 2x 70mm woofers + 2x 31mm tweeters + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB43: $150
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 |
| 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ?
- 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.
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XB43 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
W-King D8: $69.99 Amazon
Pros: Decent sounding.
Cons: Slightly recessed mids. Distorted at high volumes.
Full W-King D8 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 4.8" x 4.7" (320 x 121.9 x 119.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers + 2x 31mm tweeters + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 101dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 90W max / 50W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.4 lbs / 2.43 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 speaker review 50 watts power against JBL xtreme 2 and soundcore Motion plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D10 speaker vs the D8, D9 and X10 WKing speakers 👀
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King D8 vs W-King D9 - budget boombox battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom vs W-King D8 and D9 - boom boom! 🥳
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 Mini vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus Speaker
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
- Reddit Search for W-King D8 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons