Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. It ranks #26 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $169.98; the Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #45 and costs $344.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. The tradeoff: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost.
What the Sony SRS-XG500 offers: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Watch for: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XG500 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XG500 is rated for 30 hours versus 20 hours for the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 2 Plus | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.98 | $344.99 |
| Ranked | #26 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP66 |
| Max Volume | 111dB | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Output Power | 140W | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm) | 18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: $169.98 Amazon Bhphotovideo
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 111dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 140W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This sounds totally different now! Soundcore Boom Plus 2 firmware 03.10
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus VS Tribit Stormbox Blast 🛜 Boombox Basement Battle 📊Custom EQ 🔥Who You Got?
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: NEW RELEASE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Motion Boom Plus🤯Stock EQ, Bass^ Enabled🤜🤛 A Family Feud😆
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Showcase - Lots Of Bass In A Small Package
- EL JEFE REVIEWS: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus 💥 BIGGER & BADDER!
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus!!!
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot ZE01
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Sony SRS-XG500: $344.99 Amazon
Pros: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Battery care function stops charging at 90% to extend longevity. IP66 water/dust resistant. Two USB-A ports (one charges devices), mic/guitar inputs, AUX. Party mode links 100+ speakers.
Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| IP Rating | IP66 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
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- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs B&O Beolit 20
- See all 16 comparisons