Short answer: the Tronsmart Halo 200, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #76 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 2.8/5, at $169.99. The Pioneer PBM5 ranks #112, rated 2.0/5, at $149, $20.99 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 113 boombox speakers, and the Tribit Stormbox Blast, ranked #2 at $199.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The Tronsmart Halo 200 is the better-sounding, longer-running choice. A three-way party speaker with dynamic lighting, an 18 hour battery and broadcast linking for many speakers. It is rated for 18 hours of battery against 13 for the Pioneer PBM5. The tradeoff: Not as deep bass as some of the top ranked.
The case for the Pioneer PBM5: A loud karaoke boombox with two mic inputs, a guitar input, lights, a shoulder strap and a choice of USB-C or AC power. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the Tronsmart Halo 200 cannot. The catch: Williston Audio Labs was not impressed with its sound: there is very little bass below 100Hz, and the amplifier’s output has a big dip from 1.6kHz to 10kHz that leaves the upper mids and treble recessed.
Buy the Tronsmart Halo 200. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $20.99 you would save on the Pioneer PBM5 does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Measured Differences
- Output: the Tronsmart Halo 200 was measured at 110 dB maximum against 105 dB for the Pioneer PBM5, so it gets somewhat louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Tronsmart Halo 200 | Pioneer PBM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $149.00 |
| Ranked | #76 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #112 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 16ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours at 60% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 105dB at 2m (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | Yes (2 inputs) |
| Stereo | Partially | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (multiple modes) | Yes (presets + user EQ) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes (MP3 only) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C or AC Power cord |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 120W | 300W peak (Manufacturer specified), about 90W measured |
| Dimensions | 15.2” x 11.1” x 10.5” (386 x 282 x 266 mm) | 8.9”H x 17.4”W x 8.1”D (226 x 442 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 5.7” (145mm) woofer + 2x 2.24” (57mm) mid-tweeters + 1x 1.22” (31mm) tweeter | 2x 133mm (5.25”) woofers + 2x 51mm (2”) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Tronsmart Halo 200: reviews by Alan Ross and Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More.
- Pioneer PBM5: reviews by Williston Audio Labs and AnotherReview ByFrank.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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