Short answer: the Sony SRS-XE200. It ranks #111 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $69.99; the LG Xboom Go PL5 ranks #114 and costs $199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Sony SRS-XE200: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. The tradeoff: Sounds hollow.
What the LG Xboom Go PL5 gets right: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. The catch: Barely any bass.
Buy the Sony SRS-XE200. It ranks higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Go PL5 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 136 medium speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE200 | LG Xboom Go PL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99 | $199.00 |
| Ranked | #111 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #114 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g | 1.4 lbs / 640 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| Dimensions | 3.5" x 8.2" x 3.7" (90 x 208 x 94 mm) | 7.9" x 3.1" x 3.1" (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 71Hz |
| Max Volume | - | 100dB |
| App | - | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
| EQ | - | Yes (via app) |
| Output Power | - | 20W |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XE200: $69.99 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated with dedicated per-function buttons. Can prop up a phone/tablet as a stand. Fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback); Stamina mode extends battery when low.
Cons: Sounds hollow. Very muffled. Rolled off treble, weird midrange boost, just not great overall. Worse than a XB33.
Full Sony SRS-XE200 review and specifications →
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.5" x 8.2" x 3.7" (90 x 208 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x51mm full-range + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 800 g |
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
LG Xboom Go PL5: $199.00 Amazon
Pros: 18 hour battery life; IPX5 rated. LED lights sync to music via the LG XBOOM app; Wireless Party Link connects up to 100 speakers. USB-C charging.
Cons: Barely any bass. 14khz peak, bright on top. Soundboost mode makes the top end even harsher.
Full LG Xboom Go PL5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 71Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.9" x 3.1" x 3.1" (201 x 79 x 79 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 1.75-inch woofers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 lbs / 640 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons