Short answer: the Sony SRS-XE300. It ranks #92 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $137; the Bose SoundLink Color II ranks #98 and costs $139, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Sony SRS-XE300 side: IP67 rated. Orientation-aware playback switches to stereo when laid flat. The tradeoff: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass. Hollow sounding. Worse than a XB43.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Color II: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. Watch for: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail.
Buy the Sony SRS-XE300. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose SoundLink Color II and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XE300 is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the Bose SoundLink Color II.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony SRS-XE300 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Bose SoundLink Color II at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE300 | Bose SoundLink Color II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $137 | $139.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #92 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #98 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | - |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 4.1" x 4.7" (238 x 105 x 119 mm) | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Output Power | 16W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Teufel Rockster Go
- DBSONO X-Blast F37 vs Sony SRS-XE300
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XE300: $137 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. Orientation-aware playback switches to stereo when laid flat. Party Connect links up to 100 speakers; fast charging (10 min charge = ~70 min playback).
Cons: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass. Hollow sounding. Worse than a XB43
Full Sony SRS-XE300 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.4" x 4.1" x 4.7" (238 x 105 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 49x71mm X-Balanced speaker units + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (via app) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XE300 vs JBL Charge 5
- DLX Willington: FINALLY! Sony SRS XG300, SRS XE300, & SRS XE200 Are Here. Binaural Sound Samples & First Impressions
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE300 Review And Compared to Sony XB33 - A Muffled Mess
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 5 Vs Sony XE300 - How Can You Mess Up This Bad?
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XE300 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs DBSONO X-Blast F37
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Sony SRS-XE300 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
- See all 13 comparisons
Bose SoundLink Color II: $139.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once.
Cons: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose SoundLink Color II review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 5" x 2.2" (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Marshall Emberton III
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Marshall Emberton II
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Cabasse Swell
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Tribit Stormbox
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Sony SRS-XB30