Short answer: the Mackie Thump Go. It ranks #10 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $399.99; the Soundboks 4 ranks #6, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1199, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Thump Go packs real PA functionality most party speakers skip entirely. It has a genuine built-in mini mixer with two XLR/TRS combo inputs plus a 3.5mm aux, and its own notes describe balanced sound with crisp highs, tight lows, and natural vocals. Two units can pair for true stereo through the app, all for well under half the Soundboks 4’s price. Its notes are candid that it isn’t quite as good sounding as speakers like the Everse 8 or Bose S1 Pro, that Bluetooth pairing doesn’t always auto-connect, and that the battery latch and top handle are known failure points.
The Soundboks 4 wins decisively on raw output, battery life, and durability. It’s tied for the loudest battery-powered speaker in its class, reaching 126dB against the Thump Go’s 115dB, and its 40-hour battery life is more than three times the Thump Go’s 12 hours. It also carries an IP65 rating for water jets, while the Thump Go has no water resistance at all. Its own notes acknowledge it is very large, doesn’t ship in stereo out of the box, and trails the top Partyboxes on neutrality and bass depth.
Everything else splits along size and features: the Soundboks 4 adds TeamUp party mode for linking up to five speakers, a removable battery, and a companion app, while the Thump Go stays compact and light enough to carry with one hand.
Buy the Mackie Thump Go for a genuine mixer, real stereo pairing, and balanced sound at a fraction of the price.
Buy the Soundboks 4 if you need the loudest possible output, an all-day battery, and real water resistance, and don’t mind the size or the higher price.
Want more options? Browse the full PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundboks 4 | Mackie Thump Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1199 | $399.99 |
| Ranked | #6 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers | #10 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 25.6” x 17” x 13” (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) | 18” x 9.1” x 11.2” (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 10” woofers, 1” compression driver | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP65 | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| SKAA | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 216W (3x 72W) | 200W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood | Polypropylene |
| DSP | App EQ | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount socket | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Coverage | - | 90° H x 60° V |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 57Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Soundboks 4:
- Soundboks 4 vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
- Soundboks 4 vs Electrotec Stage One
- Soundboks 4 vs Electro-Voice Everse 8
- Soundboks 4 vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- Soundboks 4 vs Teufel Rockster Air 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 24, 2026 at 10:28 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
Soundboks 4: $1199 Soundboks Amazon eBay
Pros: Tied for the loudest battery powered speaker. Removable 40 hour battery. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Very large. Not as neutral or as deep of bass as the above Partyboxes. Not stereo. External power brick for charging.
Full Soundboks 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 216W (3x 72W) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| DSP | App EQ |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 25.6” x 17” x 13” (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 10” woofers, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount socket |
| SKAA | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- GYMCADDY: SOUNDBOKS Gen 4 Review - Better Sound And More Power Efficient More from GYMCADDY →
- Flossy Carter: SOUNDBOKS 4 - The World’s LOUDEST Bluetooth Speaker! More from FlossyCarter →
- Oluv Patreon: SoundBoks 4 vs Stormbox Blast - first impressions More from Oluv’Sone →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Partybox Ultimate Vs SOUNDBOKS 4 & Sony XV900 - Is It Worth It?
- M1MTechChannel: SOUNDBOKS hat gekocht: Die neue MIX liefert brutal ab! More from M1MTechChannel →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Mackie Thump Go: $399.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: 8-inch custom high-output woofer + 1-inch compression driver delivers powerful audio with incredible dynamic range. Built-in mini live mixer with two XLR/TRS combo inputs + 3.5mm aux. Up to 12 hours battery (5 hours comfortable gig time), removable for swapping spares. Lightweight 17.6 lbs. Balanced sound with crisp highs, tight lows, natural vocals. Pair two Mackie Thump Gos for stereo via app. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 57Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Not quite as good sounding as a Everse 8 or S1 Pro. Bluetooth pairing doesn’t auto connect every time. Designed for more loudness than deeper bass. Battery latch breaks easily. Handle on top also can break off. Not very deep bass
Full Mackie Thump Go review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 90° H x 60° V |
| DSP | Feedback eliminator, Music Duck and voicing modes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18” x 9.1” x 11.2” (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” compression driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount; monitor wedge |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Sound Demonstration The New EV Everse 8 compared to The Mackie Thump Go
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Shootout MACKIE THUMP GO vs BOSE S1 PRO vs JBL EON ONE COMPACT Max Volume Demo A New Winner!
- W. Weiss: Part 2 NEW MACKIE THUMP GO review/sound demo VS JBL Compact & Bose S1Pro Most Popular portable PAs
- W. Weiss: The $400 Club - Budget Portable PA’s Mackie Thump Go, JBL Partybox 110, Yamaha DBR10
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Mackie Thump Go vs Bose S1 Pro+
- Mackie Thump Go vs Teufel Rockster Air
- Mackie Thump Go vs JBL Eon One Compact
- Mackie Thump Go vs Teufel Rockster Air 2
- Mackie Thump Go vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- Mackie Thump Go vs Electro-Voice Everse 8
- Mackie Thump Go vs Electrotec Stage One
- Mackie Thump Go vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
- See all 35 comparisons