Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Skullcandy Barrel

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus for better sound quality, the Skullcandy Barrel for the lower price. The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus ranks #26 of 73 boombox speakers at $169.98. The Skullcandy Barrel ranks #39 at $150, $19.98 cheaper.

On the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus side: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. Set against that: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost.

The case for the Skullcandy Barrel: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. The tradeoff: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers.

Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Skullcandy Barrel if the price matters more than sound quality.

Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at Amazon ($169.98) →Buy the Skullcandy Barrel at Amazon ($150) →

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Skullcandy Barrel

Specifications Side By Side

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Skullcandy Barrel
Price$169.98$150
Ranked#26 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#39 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes (Skullcandy app)
Aux InputYes-
Bass Extension (-10dB)39Hz~50Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)-
EQYes (Pro EQ + presets)Yes (App EQ)
IP RatingIPX7IP67
Max Volume111dB104dB
MicroSD PlaybackNo-
Party ModeYes (PartyCast 2.0)No
Power BankYes (USB-C, 5V/2A)No
Power InputUSB-C-
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AACSBC
USB PlaybackNoNo
Built in MicrophoneYesNo
Output Power140W60W
Dimensions17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm)11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm)
Drivers2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters2x 20mm drivers
Digital Aux InputNoNo
FM Tuner-No
Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at Amazon ($169.98) →Buy the Skullcandy Barrel at Amazon ($150) →

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

The Two Speakers In Full

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: $169.98 Amazon Bhphotovideo

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus ranking card

Pros: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. This speaker will likely move up as we get a good EQ tune that makes it a lot more neutral.

Cons: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost. Reasonably deep bass, but not as good as the top ranked.

Full Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)39Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Built in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm)
Drivers2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters
EQYes (Pro EQ + presets)
IP RatingIPX7
Max Volume111dB
MicroSD PlaybackNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power140W
Party ModeYes (PartyCast 2.0)
Power BankYes (USB-C, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($169.98) →Check current price at Bhphotovideo →Search eBay for Soundcore Boom 2 Plus →

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Skullcandy Barrel: $150 Amazon

Skullcandy Barrel ranking card

Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger.

Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.

Full Skullcandy Barrel review and specifications →

AppYes (Skullcandy app)
Bass Extension (-10dB)~50Hz
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Built in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm)
Drivers2x 20mm drivers
EQYes (App EQ)
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume104dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power60W
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($150) →Search eBay for Skullcandy Barrel →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.