Short answer: the Soundcore Select Pro. It ranks #15 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $80; the Bose SoundLink Max ranks #17 and costs $309.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Soundcore Select Pro side: Sounds almost exactly like the Motion Boom. Set against that: Boosted bass, rolled off treble.
What the Bose SoundLink Max gets right: IP67 rated - dustproof and waterproof to 1m. The catch: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange.
Buy the Soundcore Select Pro. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Bose SoundLink Max and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Select Pro | Bose SoundLink Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $309.99 |
| Ranked | #15 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #17 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Users say it works) | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 5.8" x 7.9" (346 x 148 x 200 mm) | 10.4" x 4.7" x 4.1" (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.75" fullrange + 2x 2.5" passive radiators | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter |
| Output Power | 30W | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Max Volume | 106dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 48Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 116ms |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Select Pro: $80 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Sounds almost exactly like the Motion Boom
Cons: Boosted bass, rolled off treble. Not as neutral or detailed as other top ranked speakers. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Select Pro review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Users say it works) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 5.8" x 7.9" (346 x 148 x 200 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 2.75" fullrange + 2x 2.5" passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 106dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Snow Queen’s Tech: ANKER SOUNDCORE SELECT PRO VS MOTION BOOM - DO THEY SOUND THE SAME? SOUND TEST ( PLEASE WEAR 🎧)
- Chowa: Soundcore Select Pro (Review)
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: On a Ledge 🪟 Zealot S67 🆚 Soundcore Select Pro - Bluetooth Speaker Comparison
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Select Pro Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Select Pro vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Soundcore Select Pro vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Marshall Stockwell 2
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- See all 14 comparisons
Bose SoundLink Max: $309.99 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated - dustproof and waterproof to 1m. Up to 20 hour battery; real-world testing found 43+ hours. Deep, rich bass with neutral tuning, app EQ. USB-C doubles as device charger. Sturdy carry handle.
Cons: Big peak in the upper bass, dipped midrange and lots of peaks and dips above the midrange. Bass not as deep as a Boom 2. Gets distorted above 80%. Self drains the battery about 20% a week.
Full Bose SoundLink Max review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 116ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4" x 4.7" x 4.1" (264.7 x 120.1 x 104.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5" (63.5mm) midrange drivers + 1x 0.79" (20mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 tweeter) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - indoor soundtest
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Bose SoundLink Max & SoundCore Boom 2 - outdoor soundtest
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bose Max, the worlds most overpriced speaker? its a shocker!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - first impressions
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs. Ultimate Ears EpicBoom 🤑Big Bucks No Whammies? 💣 Let’s Find Out 😧
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One?
- Scott’s Reviews: Bose SoundLink Max First Impressions, Unboxing, and Sound Test.
- Reddit Search for Bose SoundLink Max Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Max vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Bose SoundLink Max vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Bose SoundLink Max vs onn Portable FM Boombox
- See all 23 comparisons