Short answer: the Soundcore Rave Party 2. It ranks #42 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $199.95; the Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #45 and costs $344.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Soundcore Rave Party 2 side: This speaker may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples. Set against that: Poor water rating.
The case for the Sony SRS-XG500: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. The tradeoff: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Buy the Soundcore Rave Party 2. 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 16 hours for the Soundcore Rave Party 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Rave Party 2 | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $344.99 |
| Ranked | #42 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #45 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP66 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| App | No | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Output Power | 80W RMS / 120W peak | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 7.8" x 15.7" (191 x 198 x 400 mm) | 18.1" x 10.1" x 8.5" (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 49Hz |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Rave Party 2: $199.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: This speaker may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples.
Cons: Poor water rating. Bass extension doesn’t seem very good.
Full Soundcore Rave Party 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5" x 7.8" x 15.7" (191 x 198 x 400 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4" (100mm) woofers + 2x 2" (50mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with reverb effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W RMS / 120W peak |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Reddit Search for Soundcore Rave Party 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Yeahbox Sonic Boom Max 3
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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 Motion Boom+
- 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
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Authentics 300
- See all 16 comparisons