Short answer: the Aiwa Exos-10, if you are buying new. The Aiwa Exos-9 ranks higher than the Turtlebox Gen 3 (#9 vs #85 of 91 boombox speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Aiwa Exos-10, is rated 3.5/5 at $159.99 and is still sold new.
The Turtlebox Gen 3 is the longer-running, lighter choice. Waterproof (IP67, and it floats) and crushproof, with stainless steel hardware and quality amplifier parts inside. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 10 for the Aiwa Exos-9. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Aiwa Exos-9 at 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg). It is rated IP67, while the Aiwa Exos-9 has no water resistance. The tradeoff: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The Aiwa Exos-9 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. It still sounds great against current models. Its bass reaches about 44Hz before falling 10dB, against 65Hz for the Turtlebox Gen 3. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox Gen 3 lacks.
Buy the Aiwa Exos-10, the replacement for the discontinued Aiwa Exos-9; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Turtlebox Gen 3.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Gen 3 | Aiwa Exos-9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $430.00 | $250 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #85 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #9 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | Yes (5-band graphic EQ + 4 presets) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) | AC Power cable |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 200W |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 19.4” x 7.5” x 11.7” (492.8 x 190.5 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) | Yes (with adapter) |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh | - |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Williston Audio Labs) | - |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs Aiwa Exos-9
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Aiwa Exos-9
- Aiwa Exos-9 vs JBL Partybox Encore
Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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
Turtlebox Gen 3: $430.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Turtlebox Gen 2 (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5) and the Turtlebox (ranked lower, rated 2.1/5). See every Turtlebox generation.
Same family: the Turtlebox Cub (smaller model, rated 3/5), the Turtlebox Ranger (smaller model, rated 3.5/5) and the Turtlebox Grande (larger model, ranked higher, rated 2.6/5).
Pros: Waterproof (IP67, and it floats) and crushproof, with stainless steel hardware and quality amplifier parts inside. Loud for its class: Williston Audio Labs measured 102 dB at max volume, well above a Kicker Bullfrog BF400’s 96 dB. A big 85Wh battery rated for 25+ hours, a USB-C output that charges other devices, aux and microphone inputs, and true multi-speaker Party Mode on top of stereo pairing, plus Bluetooth 5.4. Measured bass extension of ~65Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality. The amp is tuned to a V shape, with boosted lows and highs and a dip in the mids, but the boost can’t make up for shallow extension: the bass is only down 10dB at about 65Hz, so there’s little real low end despite the boomy upper bass. The amp delivers only about 12W RMS at 1% distortion. In Williston Audio Labs’ side by side test most listeners preferred the much smaller Kicker Bullfrog BF400 for its cleaner sound, and a Pioneer PBM5 played louder at 105 dB. Nowhere near its claimed 120dB at a reasonable measuring distance. Rattles at high volume. It charges only from its own 15V barrel plug brick, not USB-C, and has no app or EQ. Inside is essentially a car audio 6x9 two way speaker in a plastic box.
Full Turtlebox Gen 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Aiwa Exos-9: $250 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Aiwa Exos-10, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5, released Sep 2024. It adds party mode. Battery life goes from 10 to 12 hours. See every Aiwa Exos generation.
Pros: Aiwa Exos-9 uses 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters. Its 6.9 kg, claimed 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. It still sounds great against current models. Measured bass extension of 44Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 44Hz specification. There is no companion app. Discontinued.
Full Aiwa Exos-9 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.4” x 7.5” x 11.7” (492.8 x 190.5 x 297.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” dual voice coil woofer + 2x 3” midwoofers + 2x 1” silk dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (5-band graphic EQ + 4 presets) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (with adapter) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 15.2 lbs (6.9 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
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