Short answer: the Sony SRS-XE300 on measured sound quality, the Soundcore Flare 2 on price. The Sony SRS-XE300 ranks #92 of 136 medium speakers at $137. The Soundcore Flare 2 ranks #105 at $80, $57 cheaper.
What the Sony SRS-XE300 offers: 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). Watch for: Muffled sounding, not very deep bass. Hollow sounding. Worse than a XB43
What the Soundcore Flare 2 offers: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it Watch for: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Buy the Sony SRS-XE300 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Flare 2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
The Soundcore Flare 2 is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 136 medium speakers; there are better options higher up.
Battery life favors the Sony SRS-XE300: rated for 24 hours against 12 hours for the Soundcore Flare 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XE300 | Soundcore Flare 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $137 | $80 |
| Ranked | #92 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #105 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs / 1.3 kg | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| 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 | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (via app) | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Output Power | 16W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 56Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 80ms |
| Max Volume | - | 99dB |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- JBL Charge 2 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Tribit Stormbox vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Sony ULT Field 3 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Soundcore Glow vs Sony SRS-XE300
- JBL Charge 3 vs Sony SRS-XE300
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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-XE300: $137 Amazon eBay
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 |
- 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 More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE300 Review And Compared to Sony XB33 - A Muffled Mess More from GYMCADDY →
- 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 72 comparisons
Soundcore Flare 2: $80 Amazon eBay
Pros: Try Alan Ross’s EQ for it
Cons: Rolled off treble. Thuddy bass. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Soundcore Flare 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 80ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 600 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XB30
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs W-King D8 Mini
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Teufel Rockster Go
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs B&O Beosound Explore
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Marshall Emberton II
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
- Soundcore Flare 2 vs Sony SRS-XE200
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- See all 73 comparisons