Short answer: the Sony SRS-XP500. It ranks #14 of 39 party speakers by sound quality at $549.99; the Soundboks Mix ranks #24 and costs $799, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Soundboks Mix offers: USB-C fast charging (65W) for the swappable battery, up to 40 hours of battery life at mid-volume, IP65 dust/water resistance, and TeamUp linking with up to 5 other SKAA-equipped Soundboks speakers. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Watch for: Doesn’t have as deep of bass as higher-ranked speakers, and can sound somewhat bright in the treble. Only 72W of output and a single 10-inch woofer, less powerful than the Soundboks Go or 4, and no microphone input for karaoke like the Pro Panel models.
What the Sony SRS-XP500 offers: 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. Watch for: Not as loud and bass not as deep as a Partybox 100 or 110
Buy the Sony SRS-XP500. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Soundboks Mix and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Battery life favors the Soundboks Mix: rated for 40 hours against 20 hours for the Sony SRS-XP500.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Soundboks Mix at IP65 (water jets) against the Sony SRS-XP500, which has no water resistance.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundboks Mix | Sony SRS-XP500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $549.99 |
| Ranked | #24 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #14 of 39 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 13.5" x 10.9" (484 x 342 x 276 mm) | 10.8" x 22.5" x 11.6" (275 x 572 x 295 mm) |
| Drivers | 10" woofer, 1.2" tweeter | 2x 140mm woofers + 2x 50mm tweeters |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP65 | None |
| Maximum SPL | 121dB (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | No | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Weight | 21.4 lbs (9.7 kg) | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 72W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (additional codecs unverified) | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 42Hz |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sony SRS-XP500:
- Sony ULT Tower 7 vs Sony SRS-XP500
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- 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 September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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 Mix: $799 Soundboks Amazon eBay
Pros: USB-C fast charging (65W) for the swappable battery, up to 40 hours of battery life at mid-volume, IP65 dust/water resistance, and TeamUp linking with up to 5 other SKAA-equipped Soundboks speakers. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage.
Cons: Doesn’t have as deep of bass as higher-ranked speakers, and can sound somewhat bright in the treble. Only 72W of output and a single 10-inch woofer, less powerful than the Soundboks Go or 4, and no microphone input for karaoke like the Pro Panel models.
Full Soundboks Mix review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 72W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 13.5" x 10.9" (484 x 342 x 276 mm) |
| Drivers | 10" woofer, 1.2" tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Maximum SPL | 121dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 21.4 lbs (9.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XP500: $549.99 Amazon eBay
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 Partybox 100 or 110
Full Sony SRS-XP500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 24.7 lbs (11.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons