Short answer: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3. It ranks #108 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.0/5) at $191.99 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XB30 ranks #133 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XB30’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 3, is rated 3.4/5 at $208.
The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is the better-sounding, tougher pick. IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. It is rated IPX7 against IPX5 for the Sony SRS-XB30. Watch for: Not stereo, barely any bass.
The Sony SRS-XB30 is the deeper-bass pick. A compact 2.2 lbs (1 kg) portable with IPX5 splash protection, aux input, LDAC/AAC support, Sony’s app, speakerphone capability, power-bank output, stereo pairing and Party Chain linking. Its bass reaches about 55Hz before falling 10dB, against 70Hz for the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 lacks. The catch: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy.
Buy the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony SRS-XB30 is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 | Sony SRS-XB30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $191.99 | $199 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #108 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #133 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2 lbs (925 g) | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 8.9” x 3.4” (87 x 225 x 87 mm) | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| App | Yes (UE | BOOM app) | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | - | 20W |
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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
Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3: $191.99 Amazon $191.99 eBay
Newer model: the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4, ranked lower, rated 2.1/5, released Jun 2024. See every Ultimate Ears Wonderboom, Boom and Megaboom generation.
Pros: IP67 rated, floats, and survives drops from up to 1 meter. 20 hour battery life: about double most speakers this size. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo, barely any bass. You can tell from the micro USB that they are just feeding you the same crap hardware over and over, this is inexcusable for a product released in 2018. Not technically a 360 speaker, only front and rear.
Full Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (UE | BOOM app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 70Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 8.9” x 3.4” (87 x 225 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyUp up to 50 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2 lbs (925 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Sony SRS-XB30: $199 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5, released Apr 2025. See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: A compact 1kg portable with IPX5 splash protection, aux input, LDAC/AAC support, Sony’s app, speakerphone capability, power-bank output, stereo pairing and Party Chain linking. It reaches a useful 95dB maximum level and has a claimed 24-hour battery life at moderate volume, making it a convenient older outdoor option. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy. Its micro-USB charging and older Bluetooth 4.2 platform now feel dated, so it is best considered for features and used-market value rather than sound quality. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB30 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Soundcore Flare 2
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