If you need a speaker for pool parties (emphasis on the party), get yourself a Wonderboom 4 or two. We say two because they're only $100 each, and they allow you to sync two at a time to one device.
Bose sells the SoundLink Max Portable Speaker for $399 and offers price matching for in-stock products sold by Best Buy, Target, or Walmart. The SoundLink Max costs more than twice what the smaller ...