Short answer: the Yamaha True X Speaker 1A for its surround role, the Bose SoundLink Color II for portable handling, though neither ranks well in its class. The Yamaha doubles as a wireless surround speaker for True X soundbars or a standalone in Solo mode, but its bass is not very deep and an upper-mids peak makes voices sibilant. The Bose adds a tough soft-touch rubber coating, at $139 against $150, and boosts the bass. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 151 medium speakers; for better sound, the Earfun Uboom L ranks #1 at $49.79.
Buy the Yamaha True X Speaker 1A. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Bose SoundLink Color II is discontinued.
Water resistance is not close: the Yamaha True X Speaker 1A is rated at IP67 (brief submersion), well ahead of the Bose SoundLink Color II at IPX4 (splashing).
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha True X Speaker 1A | Bose SoundLink Color II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 | $139.00 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #107 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #110 of 151 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (500 g) | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 3.5” x 3.5” (105 x 90 x 90 mm) | 5.2” x 5” x 2.2” (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 55mm (2.2”) full-range driver + 2x passive radiators | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| App | No | Yes (Bose Connect) |
| EQ | No | No |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 10W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | SBC, AAC |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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
Yamaha True X Speaker 1A: $150 Amazon eBay
Pros: Doubles as a wireless surround speaker for Yamaha True X soundbars, or a standalone speaker via ‘Solo’ mode. IP67 rated. Clear Voice technology boosts dialogue clarity.
Cons: Not very deep bass, upper mids peak that makes voices sibilant
Full Yamaha True X Speaker 1A review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.1” x 3.5” x 3.5” (105 x 90 x 90 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 55mm (2.2”) full-range driver + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (500 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Yamaha True X Speaker 1A vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Yamaha True X Speaker 1A vs Tribit Stormbox
- Yamaha True X Speaker 1A vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Yamaha True X Speaker 1A vs Marshall Emberton III
- Yamaha True X Speaker 1A vs Marshall Emberton II
- Yamaha True X Speaker 1A vs Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove
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- Yamaha True X Speaker 1A vs Sony ULT Field 3
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Bose SoundLink Color II: $139.00 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Soft-touch rubber coating is comfortable to hold and tough enough for bumps and scrapes. IPX4 splashproof. Supports multipoint pairing to two devices at once.
Cons: Boosted bass on Color II. Not as deep of bass as other models. Lacking midrange detail. Rolled off treble. Discontinued.
Full Bose SoundLink Color II review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bose Connect) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.2” x 5” x 2.2” (132 x 127 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (600 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Marshall Emberton III
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Marshall Emberton II
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Cabasse Swell
- Bose SoundLink Color II vs Sony SRS-XB20
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