Short answer: the Sony SRS-XG500. It ranks #45 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $399.99; the Turtlebox Gen 2 ranks #69 and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Sony SRS-XG500 offers: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Watch for: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
What the Turtlebox Gen 2 offers: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume; 3 hour charge time). Watch for: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
Buy the Sony SRS-XG500. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Turtlebox Gen 2. It ranks near the bottom of the 73 boombox speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XG500 | Turtlebox Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 | $400 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #45 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #69 of 73 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 |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
| 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 | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Output 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 |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Boombox vs Bumpboxx Flare 8
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox
- Turtlebox Gen 3 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XG500: $399.99 Amazon
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.
Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Output Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Turtlebox Gen 2: $400 Discontinued
Pros: Waterproof and crushproof, loud with punchy bass. 25 hour battery life (6 hours at full volume; 3 hour charge time). USB-C charging and USB-C output charges other devices, an upgrade over the original’s AC power brick. Pairs with a second unit for stereo.
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Gen 3: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. They pretty much lie about all their specs and sound horrible in all youtube sound samples. Only 50w (from their indigogo page), will never hit 120db at a reasonable measuring distance. Putting your db meter right against the speaker doesn’t count, 1 meter distance is the standard. Barely any bass. Rattles at high volume. Looking at it, it appears to be a generic car 2-way 6x9 speaker in a plastic box. Discontinued.
Full Turtlebox Gen 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7" x 8.7" (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9" (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1" (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs / 4.54 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- 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)🎧
- Reddit Search for Turtlebox Gen 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs ION Pathfinder 320
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Bumpboxx Flare 6
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Turtlebox Grande
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs JBL Authentics 300
- Turtlebox Gen 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
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