Short answer: the Sony SRS-XG500. It ranks #60 of 89 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $399.99; the Turtlebox Gen 2 ranks #84, rated 2.1/5, and costs $400, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Sony SRS-XG500 does well: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Watch for: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Why pick the Turtlebox Gen 2: Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. Watch for: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
One note: the Sony SRS-XG500 is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the Sony SRS-XG500. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XG500 | Turtlebox Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 Discontinued | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #60 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #84 of 89 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP66 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) | No |
| EQ | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Amplifier Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W | 50W |
| Dimensions | 18.1” x 10.1” x 8.5” (460 x 256 x 215 mm) | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | - | 85Wh |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (measured by Outeraudio) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sony SRS-XG500:
- Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- JBL Partybox Encore vs Sony SRS-XG500
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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-XG500: $399.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 7, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Battery care function stops charging at 90% to extend longevity. IP66 water/dust resistant. Two USB-A ports (one charges devices), mic/guitar inputs, AUX. Party mode links 100+ speakers. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1” x 10.1” x 8.5” (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| IP Rating | IP66 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🆚 Sony SRS-XG500 - Tailgater Special - Battery Powered ☢️ Bass Boost Enabled. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Sony SRS XG 500 More from Jagistreviews →
- DLX Willington: Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Encore Essential Sound Battle More from DLXWillington →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Boombox
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs W-King H10
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
- See all 47 comparisons
Turtlebox Gen 2: $400 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Turtlebox Gen 3, ranked higher, rated 2.1/5.
Pros: Waterproof (IP67) and crushproof, and loud: Outeraudio measured about 104 dB at one meter. An 85Wh battery rated for 25 hours at low volume and about 6 at full volume, a USB-C output that charges other devices, aux and 3.5mm microphone inputs, and stereo pairing with a second Gen 2. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The nearly identical Gen 3 measured a V shaped tuning, with boosted lows and highs and dipped mids, yet bass only down 10dB at about 65Hz, and only about 12W RMS from its amp; Turtlebox rated this one at just 50W. Outeraudio found its balance and treble middling, with slight harshness at higher volumes, and it rattles at high volume. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a standard one meter distance. It charges only from its own barrel plug adapter, not USB-C, and has no app, EQ or party mode. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox Gen 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Outeraudio) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox Gen 2 Review
- Outeraudio: Turtlebox vs EcoXgear Defender Sound Comparison
- Risk Profile: TurtleBox Demo Risk Profile Podcast
- Everyday Man: Soundboks Go Vs Turttlebox Vs EcoXGear Defender
- Turtlebox Audio: Turtlebox Gen 2 - Live Sound Demo
- KosherTech: Soundcore Rave VS Turtlebox- (Sound Test Only)🎧 More from KosherTech →
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