Short answer: the Sony SRS-XV500. It ranks #16 of 44 party speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $315 and is still sold new; the Soundboks Go ranks #30 (rated 3.1/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Sony SRS-XV500 is the better-sounding, tougher option. RTINGS measured a slightly warm sound with plenty of bass punch, and found it gets very loud for outdoor parties. It is rated IPX4, while the Soundboks Go has no water resistance. The catch: RTINGS measured poor directivity, so the sound changes noticeably as you move off to the sides.
The Soundboks Go is the longer-running option. Exceptional 40-hour battery life at mid-volume (10 hours at full volume), swappable design (second battery $200 available). It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 25 for the Sony SRS-XV500. The tradeoff: Not as loud as the other Soundboks.
Buy the Sony SRS-XV500. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Soundboks Go is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XV500 | Soundboks Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $315.00 | $799 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #16 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 44 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Drivers | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 60mm tweeters | 10” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (two 6.3mm inputs) | - |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Dimensions | 22.2”H x 10.6”W x 11.6”D (564 x 269 x 294 mm) | 18” x 12” x 10” (457.2 x 304.8 x 254 mm) |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
| Strap | No | - |
| App | - | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| EQ | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 121dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Power Input | - | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| TWS | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | No |
| Amplifier Power | - | 2 x 72W |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Partybox 310 vs Sony SRS-XV500
- Sony ULT Tower 5 vs Sony SRS-XV500
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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-XV500: $315.00 Amazon eBay
Older model: the Sony SRS-XP500 (ranked higher, rated 4/5).
Pros: RTINGS measured a slightly warm sound with plenty of bass punch, and found it gets very loud for outdoor parties. Two 140mm woofers and two 60mm tweeters in a bass reflex cabinet, with a claimed 25 hours of battery life and a 10 minute quick charge for about 2.5 hours of play. Two 6.3mm inputs switch between microphone and guitar, with karaoke controls for key, echo and per-input volume, plus a 3.5mm aux input. IPX4 splash resistance and built-in lighting.
Cons: RTINGS measured poor directivity, so the sound changes noticeably as you move off to the sides. Bass compresses and pumps as you approach maximum volume. At 11.2 kg it is heavy to carry, and IPX4 only covers splashes.
Full Sony SRS-XV500 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 22.2”H x 10.6”W x 11.6”D (564 x 269 x 294 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 60mm tweeters |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (two 6.3mm inputs) |
| Strap | No |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Onn Large Party gen 2
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Sony SRS-XP500
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Sony SRS-XP700
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Tronsmart Halo 300
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Soundcore Rave 3S
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Zealot PT21
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs W-King T12
- Sony SRS-XV500 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- See all 26 comparisons
Soundboks Go: $799 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundboks Mix, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5.
Pros: Exceptional 40-hour battery life at mid-volume (10 hours at full volume), swappable design (second battery $200 available). 7.8Ah Li-ion with external charging option and pass-through charging capability. 121dB max volume (Bass+ mode). Premium audio quality, durable ABS polycarbonate with rubberized bumpers. Portable enough for vehicle adventures. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as loud as the other Soundboks. Not as neutral or as much bass as the above Partyboxes. Not stereo. External power brick for charging. Discontinued; Soundboks has removed it from their lineup and the product page is gone.
Full Soundboks Go review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 2 x 72W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18” x 12” x 10” (457.2 x 304.8 x 254 mm) |
| Drivers | 10” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Maximum SPL | 121dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs Soundboks 3 - Which One Is Right For You? More from GYMCADDY →
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons