Short answer: the Teufel Rockster Air 2 for better sound quality, the Mackie Thump Go for the lower price. The Teufel Rockster Air 2 ranks #13 of 50 party speakers at $499.99. The Mackie Thump Go ranks #25 at $449.99, $50 cheaper.
What the Teufel Rockster Air 2 offers: More consistent off-axis sound than the JBL Partybox 130, thanks to its single horn-loaded compression driver. Watch for: Bass isn’t as deep as the JBL Partybox 130’s boosted bass, though the JBL’s is boomy rather than truly deep.
On the Mackie Thump Go side: 8-inch custom high-output woofer + 1-inch compression driver delivers powerful audio with incredible dynamic range. Set against that: Not quite as good sounding as a Everse 8 or S1 Pro. Bluetooth pairing doesn’t auto connect every time.
Buy the Teufel Rockster Air 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Mackie Thump Go if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the Teufel Rockster Air 2 is rated for 58 hours versus 12 hours for the Mackie Thump Go.
Specifications Side By Side
| Teufel Rockster Air 2 | Mackie Thump Go | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $449.99 |
| Ranked | #13 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 58 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Dimensions | 12.7" x 23.2" x 13.5" (323 x 589 x 343 mm) | 18" x 9.1" x 11.2" (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Link Stereo, 2 speakers; XLR chaining up to 10) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Weight | 31.2 lbs / 14.15 kg | 17.6 lbs / 8 kg |
| Output Power | 80W | 200W |
| Drivers | 2-way: 1x 10" paper woofer, 1x 1" polypropylene tweeter | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| Discontinued | No | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (XLR) | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | Yes | Yes |
| Max Volume | 103dB RMS / 115dB peak @ 1m (Manufacturer specified) | 115dB |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 50Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Partybox 330 vs Samsung MX-ST50B
- Bose S1 Pro vs Samsung MX-ST50B
- Samsung MX-ST50B vs JBL Eon One Compact
- JBL Partybox 100 vs Mackie Thump Go
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
The Two Speakers In Full
Teufel Rockster Air 2: $499.99 Amazon
Pros: More consistent off-axis sound than the JBL Partybox 130, thanks to its single horn-loaded compression driver. Projects sound more evenly to the sides, unlike the JBL’s narrower front-firing dispersion. Cleaner instrument separation at high volume than the JBL Partybox 130, which turns anemic and loses bass at max volume despite its bass boost.
Cons: Bass isn’t as deep as the JBL Partybox 130’s boosted bass, though the JBL’s is boomy rather than truly deep. Bass and treble aren’t perfectly controlled at maximum volume - can sound hollow or too bright unless turned down from default. Not meaningfully louder than its 3-year-old predecessor, and the reviewer found the overall tuning a bit worse.
Full Teufel Rockster Air 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 58 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.7" x 23.2" x 13.5" (323 x 589 x 343 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 2-way: 1x 10" paper woofer, 1x 1" polypropylene tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 103dB RMS / 115dB peak @ 1m (Manufacturer specified) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (XLR) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Link Stereo, 2 speakers; XLR chaining up to 10) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 31.2 lbs / 14.15 kg |
| XLR Input | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Electro-Voice Everse 8
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Onn XL Wireless Party Speaker
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Electrotec Stage One
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Bose S1 Pro
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Electro-Voice Everse 12
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Sony SRS-XP700
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs JBL Partybox 300
- See all 23 comparisons
Mackie Thump Go: $449.99 Amazon
Pros: 8-inch custom high-output woofer + 1-inch compression driver delivers powerful audio with incredible dynamic range. Built-in mini live mixer with two XLR/TRS combo inputs + 3.5mm aux. Up to 12 hours battery (5 hours comfortable gig time), removable for swapping spares. Lightweight 17.6 lbs. Balanced sound with crisp highs, tight lows, natural vocals. Pair two Mackie Thump Gos for stereo via app. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage.
Cons: Not quite as good sounding as a Everse 8 or S1 Pro. Bluetooth pairing doesn’t auto connect every time. Designed for more loudness than deeper bass. Battery latch breaks easily. Handle on top also can break off. Not very deep bass
Full Mackie Thump Go review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18" x 9.1" x 11.2" (457 x 230 x 285 mm) |
| Drivers | 8" woofer, 1" compression driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 200W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs / 8 kg |
| XLR Input | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Sound Demonstration The New EV Everse 8 compared to The Mackie Thump Go
- W. Weiss: Part 3 Shootout MACKIE THUMP GO vs BOSE S1 PRO vs JBL EON ONE COMPACT Max Volume Demo A New Winner!
- W. Weiss: Part 2 NEW MACKIE THUMP GO review/sound demo VS JBL Compact & Bose S1Pro Most Popular portable PAs
- W. Weiss: The $400 Club - Budget Portable PA’s Mackie Thump Go, JBL Partybox 110, Yamaha DBR10
- Reddit Search for Mackie Thump Go Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Mackie Thump Go vs Audiocase S5
- Mackie Thump Go vs Samsung MX-ST50B
- Mackie Thump Go vs Klipsch Gig XXL
- Mackie Thump Go vs Teufel Rockster Air
- Mackie Thump Go vs Soundboks 4
- Mackie Thump Go vs LG XL7
- Mackie Thump Go vs Soundcore Rave 3/3s
- Mackie Thump Go vs Ultimate Ears Hyperboom
- See all 27 comparisons