Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Sony SRS-XP500 is the better pick: it ranks #15 of 46 party speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5), against #41 (rated 2.3/5) for the Soundcore Rave. If you want one new, the Sony SRS-XV500 replaces the Sony SRS-XP500 and is rated 4.0/5 at $299.
The Sony SRS-XP500 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. 20W 3-way speaker system with dual passive radiators, well-balanced sound (clear highs, detailed mids, punchy bass). Its bass reaches about 42Hz before falling 10dB, against 60Hz for the Soundcore Rave. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Rave lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Soundcore Rave lacks. Watch for: Not as loud and bass not as deep as a JBL Partybox 100 or JBL Partybox 110.
Why pick the Soundcore Rave: 20,000mAh battery for 24-hour claimed playtime. Watch for: Pretty big lack of deep bass, treble rolled off.
Buy the Sony SRS-XP500 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Sony SRS-XV500, which replaces the Sony SRS-XP500.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XP500 | Soundcore Rave | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 Discontinued | $220 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 46 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 46 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz | ~60Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Dimensions | 10.8” x 22.5” x 11.6” (275 x 572 x 295 mm) | 21.7” x 12.7” x 12.2” (552 x 322 x 310 mm) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | No |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
| Drivers | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters | 60W: Multiple drivers + passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Sony SRS-XP500 compares with other leading options:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- JBL Partybox Stage 320 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- JBL Partybox 310 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony SRS-XP500
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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-XP500: $269.00 Discontinued Amazon $269.00 eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XV500, ranked lower, rated 4/5, released Jan 2024. It adds stereo pairing. Battery life goes from 20 to 25 hours. Water resistance goes from no IP rating to IPX4.
Older model: the Sony GTK-XB60 (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Sony GTK, XP and XV generation.
Pros: 20W 3-way speaker system with dual passive radiators, well-balanced sound (clear highs, detailed mids, punchy bass). 20-hour battery life, immersive room-filling sound. Party Connect feature links multiple compatible Sony speakers. USB charging port for device charging on-the-go. Built-in handle and IPX4 water resistance. Microphone input and karaoke support. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as loud and bass not as deep as a JBL Partybox 100 or JBL Partybox 110. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XP500 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.8” x 22.5” x 11.6” (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Sony SRS-XP700
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Sony SRS-XV500
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Zealot PT21
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Soundcore Rave 3S
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs JBL Partybox 300
- Sony SRS-XP500 vs JBL Partybox 110
- See all 39 comparisons
Soundcore Rave: $220 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Rave 3S, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5, released Mar 2025. See every Soundcore Rave generation.
Pros: 20,000mAh battery for 24-hour claimed playtime. Booming bass and crisp vocals with colorful LED light show. IPX4 waterproof design for poolside/beach/outdoor use. AI-assisted karaoke removes vocals in real-time via Soundcore app. Wireless microphones included, eight preset lighting modes. Can link multiple speakers together. Long battery life, fun light patterns synced to music. Measured bass extension of ~60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Pretty big lack of deep bass, treble rolled off. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Rave review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~60Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 21.7” x 12.7” x 12.2” (552 x 322 x 310 mm) |
| Drivers | 60W: Multiple drivers + passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 21.6 lbs (9.8 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons