Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Soundcore Select Pro is the better pick: it ranks #15 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.4/5), against #56 (rated 3.5/5) for the Sony SRS-XB43. If you want one new, the Sony ULT Field 5 replaces the Sony SRS-XB43 and is rated 3.5/5 at $348.
The Soundcore Select Pro is the better-sounding, louder option. A tough 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) speaker with IPX7 protection, app EQ, a claimed 16-hour battery life, USB-C charging, power-bank output and PartyCast for linking up to 100 compatible speakers. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 106dB at full volume, against 99dB for the Sony SRS-XB43. At 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) it weighs much less than the Sony SRS-XB43 at 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg). The catch: Independent lab listening finds only fair music fidelity: bass is somewhat boomy and lacks deep extension, mids can sound nasal and congested, and treble becomes smeared or sizzly.
The Sony SRS-XB43 is the longer-running choice. Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 16 for the Soundcore Select Pro. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Soundcore Select Pro lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Soundcore Select Pro lacks. Watch for: Not as loud as others in the category.
Buy the Soundcore Select Pro only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Sony ULT Field 5, which replaces the Sony SRS-XB43.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Select Pro | Sony SRS-XB43 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 Discontinued | $150 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #56 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Users say it works) | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 5.8” x 7.9” (346 x 148 x 200 mm) | 12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.75” fullrange + 2x 2.5” passive radiators | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 32W RMS |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53Hz |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 85ms |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Soundcore Select Pro:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Marshall Stockwell II vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Soundcore Select Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM 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
Soundcore Select Pro: $80 Discontinued eBay
Pros: A tough 1.5kg speaker with IPX7 protection, app EQ, a claimed 16-hour battery life, USB-C charging, power-bank output and PartyCast for linking up to 100 compatible speakers. It reaches a useful 106dB maximum level and offers a lively, bass-forward sound for casual outdoor use.
Cons: Independent lab listening finds only fair music fidelity: bass is somewhat boomy and lacks deep extension, mids can sound nasal and congested, and treble becomes smeared or sizzly. It strains at high volume, lacks an aux input and is discontinued, so it is best chosen for features and durability rather than detail or neutral sound.
Full Soundcore Select Pro review and specifications →
| Released | May 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
| App | Yes (Users say it works) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.75” fullrange + 2x 2.5” passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This is shocking! They broke the world pound for pound champ! 😢 More from alanrossreviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: On a Ledge 🪟 Zealot S67 🆚 Soundcore Select Pro - Bluetooth Speaker Comparison More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Chowa: Soundcore Select Pro (Review)
- Snow Queen’s Tech: ANKER SOUNDCORE SELECT PRO VS MOTION BOOM - DO THEY SOUND THE SAME? SOUND TEST ( PLEASE WEAR 🎧)
- 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 Bose SoundLink Max
- Soundcore Select Pro vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Marshall Stockwell II
- Soundcore Select Pro vs Soundcore Boom 2
- See all 38 comparisons
Sony SRS-XB43: $150 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 5, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5, released Apr 2025. See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Twin passive radiators deliver Extra Bass impact. IPX7 waterproof and rugged. Up to 24 hour battery (14 hours with lights on). Party lights for visual appeal. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.
Setup: Try out +3 +6 +3 as an EQ to get it as flat as possible as mentioned in the Alan Ross video
Full Sony SRS-XB43 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Boom vs Sony XB43 - a step to far? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb33 vs xb43 vs Soundcore Motion Plus speakers test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal. More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Sony XG300 Review & Compared To Sony XB43 More from GYMCADDY →
- Sonido Pesado: Reacciono al sonido, tronsmart FORCE MAX vs SONY XB 43
- Head-to-Head Comparisons