Various information and excerpts from foreign micro-reviews. I haven’t listened to it myself yet, but I requested a copy from the Sony representative for testing. If you manage to get your hands on the device, there will be a detailed review. In the meantime, there is, that is, especially since I have left-sided otitis media, and in the next few days I won’t be able to listen to anything normally.
Portable speaker Sony SRS-XB3 is latest development a Japanese company that took into account all previous mistakes, made new ones and provided us with unprecedented autonomy. Unprecedented, this is exactly a day of non-stop operation from the built-in battery.
A few photos cut from the official website.
Evaluating a design is a thankless idea, but I like this design. I hope it will be at least as good live.
Cons of Sony SRS-XB3 speakers
Now we cannot charge the speaker, like the Sony srs-x33, by charging our favorite smartphone. Micro usb is no more. It’s hard for me to overestimate the idea with such charging on the previous column. This was really great because the weight of the charger did not interfere with the trip. Now the speaker is no different in this regard from all others, such as Bose.Here's the proof:
However, 24 hours battery life may be quite enough for short trips. Charger You may not take it at all.
Now about the good and interesting things. The sizes have increased slightly compared to. However, this was enough to accommodate 48mm speakers. The previous speaker had a speaker size of only 34 mm. Of course, this is the most important factor for enhancing bass, no matter what marketers write there.
And this is what they write:
EXTRA BASS is powered by a unique digital signal processor that enhances low frequencies
Then, as if remembering that there are more speakers here, they correct themselves and write the following:
Full-range driver features a large 48mm diameter diaphragm, powerful magnet and long-throw cone for deep bass performance.
I would like to note that the previous model was quite powerful, and recent trips into nature have proven this perfectly. Thus, in theory, it turns out that since the Sony SRS-XB3 has more speakers, it should have 20 percent more bass. I don’t know how much better quality it is, but it’s definitely stronger. For a portable speaker this is a definite plus.
Column Specifications
For the first time, people from Sony were embarrassed to post the specifications. Nowadays it's fashionable to be like a Rolls-Royce. It was only necessary to add that the power of the speaker is “sufficient”. But no, they only modestly mentioned that the electricity consumption is 30 watts. We will assume that this is power, especially since the srs-x33 had 20 watts of testosterone, and now we have a larger size.There is NFC, there is pairing with the same speaker, exactly like the one, there is a USB output for charging devices (of course, these weak iPhones of yours).
Supported codecs are: SBC, AAC, LDAC. I think that's enough for such a little mouse.
BLUETOOTH version 3.0. Nothing has changed here.
Now, my dear readers, I’ll tell you what I dug up in the depths of foreign blogs. You will be surprised, but nothing new - again they compare with Bose Soundlink bluetooth 3. Well, as much as possible, because American acoustics cannot boast of anything special, except for size. Apparently I came across American blogs or fans.
People write that “a couple of Sony speakers deliver bass and sound pressure Bose, but nevertheless, they will not exchange their Bose for Sony.” Paradox. Even though my speaker sounds worse, it's from Bose.
They cite cleaner, more open mids as evidence of the awesomeness of Soundlink 3! And I even believe them. Yes, the mid frequencies are very good there. But my God, the speaker is for a party, to sound barbecue, and not to listen to opera at home. Well, you understand, yes, what I mean?
Although I will say more, Sony is preferable even at home, since the American does not reproduce very low bass at all, while Sony does it somehow, but does it, which gives a completely different impression of the music. And this is about the 33rd model. I hope the SRS-XB3 sounds significantly better. Otherwise, why bother with all this upgrade? For the sake of the battery and splash protection?
People write that the speaker can withstand splashes, but not swimming. A battery per day is great for weekends, but I want improvements on all sides.
Conclusion.
So far, these are the thoughts - any improvement in the parameters of the SRS-XB3 compared to the X33 is great. But I would prefer improvements in sound. This is the most important thing.
The official price of 11,990 rubles hints that either exchange rates are sad now, or the column is a miracle. What will you bet on?
Written on 05/31/2016.
PS, summer is coming tomorrow, season portable speakers. Make the right choices, friends, shop and listen!
By connecting two SRS-X11 devices via Bluetooth, you can...
Powerful sound in a compact cube.
Listen to music wirelessly for up to 12 hours and enjoy powerful low-end sound. The SRS-X11 Bluetooth-enabled portable cube speaker delivers powerful sound despite its modest size. Place it next to your computer or smartphone, or place a couple of these speakers in your room...
Powerful sound in a compact cube.
Listen to music wirelessly for up to 12 hours and enjoy powerful low-end sound. The SRS-X11 Bluetooth-enabled portable cube speaker delivers powerful sound despite its modest size. Place it next to your computer or smartphone, or place a pair of these speakers in the room before a party for powerful stereo sound.
Designed for amazing sound.
Enjoy music anywhere anytime. The cube-shaped speaker design delivers powerful sound, deep bass from dual passive radiators and a total output power of 10W.
More bass in a compact package.
Two passive radiators deliver deep, resonant bass despite the speaker's surprisingly small size.
Create your own audio system with two speakers.
By connecting two SRS-X11 devices via Bluetooth, you can choose to play in Stereo mode to create stereo sound, or Stereo mode to play one audio output at a time.
It's easy to take with you.
Life on the move is not a reason to give up music. 12 hours of battery life allows you to enjoy listening to your favorite songs indoors or outdoors.
Up to 12 hours of music.
Listen to your favorite music throughout the day. A fully charged battery provides up to 12 hours of listening time. Add a soundtrack to your life's adventures - take the speaker with you on a trip or to a party.
Tap, connect and listen.
To play music via Bluetooth, simply touch your NFC-enabled smartphone or tablet to the SRS-X11 audio system.
Sound in a stylish package.
Add music to your kitchen, living room or bedroom - the SRS-X11 speaker will be an elegant addition to the interior of any room.
A design that speaks for itself.
The design of the SRS-X11 audio system is impressive and combines style and substance. Strict lines highlight the sophisticated, minimalist design that will fit harmoniously into any interior.
- May 8, 2017I came, I saw, I listened, I touched and... She defeated... my greed. You immediately feel that behind this little girl there is someone very big. She's like that...you can't take your eyes off her (mine is green). From...
Advantages:
Sound, Design, Materials, Autonomy....
Flaws:
Not found yet
Period of use:
less than a month
27 4Karnaukhov Stanislav
- August 24, 2017I exchanged my previous purchase of XB10 for this one. After the baby-ten, the wow effect is of course much less - that speaker is much smaller, cheaper, but plays quite similar. But the younger model has a minus - the sound becomes non-existent on the street. It becomes quieter, without bass, etc., because... the column is very attached to the surface on which it stands. Everything is much better with this speaker. There is already stereo sound, two passive radiators of a more impressive size.
In general, she sings louder and bassier than the top ten, but not in proportion to the difference in price and size. It is best to listen to the speaker at home at a volume of 50-60%...
Advantages:
Excellent build quality and appearance. Battery/autonomy time. Sound.
Flaws:
Price. Equipment. Sound at high volume
Period of use:
less than a month
19 2antonsemenovitch
- September 7, 2017First.
Required to use Music Center. Through it you can control the sound level, adjust the gain, and set dynamic (smart) volume. There is an active equalizer, that is, not only preset modes, of which there are 8...
Advantages:
I’ll say right away that I’m not a super expert, but as a cultured person, I’m deeply interested in everything that I like)
Before purchasing, I looked at a lot of reviews on the tube, read them on the Internet, including reviews in stores. Unfortunately, there are few of the latter so far). Unfortunately, almost none of the reviewers mentioned such a nuance as the quality of the source. Also, no one has examined in detail the functions of the application on a smartphone.
Most users will probably send tracks to the device for playback, such as social media. networks, media portals and others like them, where music is pulled from all over the World Wide Web, from time immemorial. Accordingly, the bitrate and file format on these tracks can be anything, *.MP3 (64, 96, 128, 256, VBR); *.ogg; *.WMA, other slag, which in principle cannot be leveled to at least average quality by any multimedia devices. Disappointments may await you here, but don’t worry, the cure is in the comments)
Flaws:
Owners of devices running Android OS 4.4 - 5.X.X:
You are interested in version 5.1.2 The older version (5.2.0) will not load. On Play market already a new version. At this point, of course, SONY’s policy is not entirely clear to me, but God bless him. Solvable.
Just download Song Pal bluetooth Wi-Fi remote 5.1.2.apk from the Internet, download it to your smartphone/tablet, allow the device to install applications from unknown sources and install the application. Fiestable's companion software is available to everyone on the Play Store. The latest version is available to owners of devices running Android 6.X.X - 7.X.X and IOS.
Period of use:
a few months
51 0Axonoff dj
- September 12, 2017Excellent column. I spent a very long time choosing models, looking at speakers from different manufacturers. I even looked at Aliexpress analogues...
Advantages:
Powerful sound (25 watts), “pumping” bass, autonomy, the presence of strobe lights, high-quality assembly, excellent design, protection from moisture and splashes, no problems with the bt connection (many cheap speakers have problems with this if you go 5-7 meters and there is a minimal obstacle at the pump Sony problems no problem with this, it even plays through the wall), the ability to connect 2 speakers over the air
Flaws:
There is no radio and no ability to insert an SD card/flash drive, the strobe lights are a little behind the music), no display
Period of use:
less than a month
21 3Goreslavets Vsevolod
- September 11, 2017Advantages:
The speaker really plays well, even when transmitted over the air, the difference with the computer logitech z xxx 5...
Period of use:
less than a month
15 0Kozlov Sergey
- September 13, 2017The column costs 5 kilo rubles, and every ruble wins back. Of course, Marshall or Cambrige Audio acoustics play differently, and they actually cost different money.
For 5 rubles it gives a clear and fairly loud sound. If you want boom-boom, perhaps you should look towards jbl, I didn’t even listen to them, remembering their sound from floor-standing speakers...
Advantages:
Sound. Appearance. Control via app.
Flaws:
Period of use:
less than a month
15 6sashaK1sl
- November 2, 2017I bought it on sale for 3800. I was 100% satisfied before that with Extreme. Of course, heaven and earth in sound, but it is inappropriate to compare because... those cost 3 times more than my purchase. Charging time...
Advantages:
Price-quality at its best!!! Compared with JBL Charge 2, they play at approximately the same level (in Sony the sound is cleaner, but the bass is worse)
Flaws:
It takes a long time to charge. Approximately 4-5 hours. Connected via 3.5 to the computer and even when there is no sound, but the speaker is turned on, this time is considered in its 12 hours of operation. Forget about bass. You shouldn't listen above 60% of the sound, it's just a mess.
Period of use:
a few months
14 3Demkin Pavel
- January 8, 2018First portable acoustics, That's why...
Advantages:
Really loud for its size. Good bass. Build quality. Quick connection. Backlight.
Flaws:
Weight. Classic design.
Period of use:
less than a month
5 0Preston John
- January 17, 2018The old pump was given a bath. I thought she died. Started looking
I bought the rating and ran to the store. I thought I was getting the best for the money. But! As a result, it turned out that many Chinese...
Advantages:
Assembly, material of execution.
Not a bad sound
Flaws:
The bass is weak, the Extra Bass button is a waste. Press it and the farts are 3% louder.
Weight...
Period of use:
less than a month
1 5Shulika Alexey
- January 23, 2018I bought it from player.ru. Apart from the price, the store has nothing more positive qualities.
1 . The store tries to put a price on everything (delivery is paid with a price from..., pickup is also paid - they have to maintain the premises, checking the goods is also paid, the express queue for delivery is also paid!!!)
2. Plastic cards at the cash desk are accepted only by MIR; for Sber - ATMs are available.
3. Very...
Advantages:
Great column. Good sound quality, long battery life when listening at medium volume. Control can be via an application on a smartphone.
Flaws:
Not found yet.
Period of use:
less than a month
18 7Koshelev Alexey
- February 10, 2018Bought as a gift...
Advantages:
Design, attractive appearance, functionality, build quality, price at the level of some Chinese, high-quality materials, clear interface, protection from dust, dirt and water.
Flaws:
did not like Sony app Music Center seemed rather poor and faded, but perhaps this is subjective, and I used the program on a TV set-top box
Period of use:
a few months
13 0Anonymously
- March 19, 2018Before buying a speaker, I advise you to listen to it and compare it with older models. Initially I looked at the xb40, what I didn’t like about it: big, heavy, a lot of bass, but dirty sound, what I love Sony for was completely absent there. I really liked the clean ones in xb 20 high frequencies. You can listen to the speaker at minimum volume and the sound will be...
Advantages:
Appearance, build quality, ergonomics, operating time, and of course, sound.
Flaws:
Period of use:
less than a month
13 0Rudenko Valery
- April 4, 2018Good column for their money
Advantages:
Almost everything is fine.
Flaws:
Not enough working time.
Period of use:
a few months
1 0Malikin Evgeniy
- April 25, 2018Overall I'm happy with the speaker. The bias towards bass is compensated by enhancements in the smartphone. The "extra bass" button practically...
Advantages:
Bass, sound, operating time, water resistance.
Flaws:
Price and weight, but it's justified by the quality. There is nothing to hang it from a backpack or anything else, but this can be solved by tying it with a cord.
Period of use:
a few months
0 0
In modern times, it is not so easy to choose the right portable speakers. New devices regularly go on sale, and old ones depreciate in value. In order not to make a mistake and not overpay for Bluetooth speakers, you need to know for sure the models that are especially popular now.
Mass production of Bluetooth speakers began several years ago, their production was carried out by well-known brands, among which the Sony brand stood out. Since everything more people began to prefer active recreation, such as cycling and walking, then such speakers have become a necessity for listening to your favorite songs on the road. Our review today presents the TOP 5 best portable speakers from Sony in 2017.
Speaker Sony SRS ZR5
New wireless speaker Sony SRS ZR5 does not apply to portable devices because of its size. However, due to its ability to work remotely, it is included in our review.
- Appearance. Let's say right away that the Sony SRS ZR5 wireless speaker is not entirely portable, as it has large dimensions (6.3 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches), weighs about 1.72 kg and runs on mains power. However, it attracted us with its wireless connectivity. The model is available in white or black. The front part with two sides is covered with a grille, under which there are low-frequency speakers (front 0.6 inches with high-frequency feed). There is a start button with its own light sensor on top, there are also three touch keys that control the volume, and there is also a button for switching modes (USB, Bluetooth, audio input, network and HDMI). There are many modes, so there are enough corresponding connectors on the rear panel. In addition to space for the power cable, there are inputs: HDMI, AUX 3.5 mm, LAN and USB. As mentioned above, the speaker can be used as a wireless audio player or connected to a computer, home theater via wire, etc. The software can be updated using the Update/WPS button on the back panel of the device, there is also a Set Up button (also settings) and Stereo Pair (the ability to connect several speakers to one sound source). On top there is an NFC zone for working with mobile devices, Wi-Fi is supported. Please note that there are no accessories included in the package.
- Peculiarities. The Sony SRS ZR5 speaker can be easily mounted on the wall thanks to the threaded connection on the rear side. The SongPal program is included free of charge, which is suitable for almost any wireless music system from the Sony brand, although its role is not the main one. But it makes it easier to update software, connect another speaker, adjust the equalizer and manage network parameters. The presence of LDAC promotes high audio transmission (better than Bluetooth). With one speaker only mono sound will be played.
- At work. Mid-level bass-intensive tracks pass digital processing in Sony SRS ZR5, so that when the volume is increased, the sound is not distorted. Such a speaker is capable of producing sound at a fairly high volume; sometimes it seems that it has a built-in subwoofer, although this is not the case. Low Frequencies You can hear it especially clearly from the device, as do the middle ones. Overall, the impressions from the Sony SRS ZR5 are pleasant, its sound is balanced. If something doesn’t suit you, you can always make adjustments using the equalizer.
Portable speaker Sony SRS X11
Sony SRS X11, according to Japanese manufacturers, is the most compact among similar products. This speaker is not only miniature, but also has a non-standard design.
- Equipment and design. Included with the speaker you can see: a blister box, a rubberized strap and a cord USB charging. The Sony SRS X11 portable speaker stands out appearance with dimensions 6.1x6.1x6.1 cm and weighs 215 grams. The shape of the device is a cube with cut corners, and the chassis consists of polycarbonate, so there is no doubt about the rigidity and reliability of the structure. Half of the sides of the cube body are equipped with steel grilles, under which the speakers are hidden. The remaining sides are made of plastic and have a “Soft Touch” coating that is pleasant to the touch. True, such a coating attracts dust and leaves fingerprints, but not so much. All controls are located at the top: volume key, call button (there is a microphone in the speaker), as well as on/off or reset. There is a built-in ADD key on the back (required for connecting additional speakers of the corresponding model), a Reset button and USB input-micro for charging with AUX. The bottom edge is equipped with light sensors that notify you about the charging level, bluetooth turned on, and the connection channel when connecting several speakers. The groove for the loop is also on the bottom edge. The Sony SRS X11 portable speaker is for sale in several color options: red, black, mint and white. Due to its size and weight, such a musical device is pleasant to use.
- At work. Wireless sound quality bluetooth speakers Many users rate Sony SRS X11 as good. The volume here is quite normal for private use at home. 10 W is enough for a room of 20 meters. The detailing is well thought out and the sounds do not mix. The device charges within three hours via USB, and work time According to manufacturers, it is approximately 12 hours.
Portable speaker Sony SRS XB2
The SRS XB2 speaker from the famous Sony company not only has an affordable price, but also includes a speakerphone, comfortable adjustment, NFC, protection against water drops, as well as an unusual design. Of course, it also has its negative sides, which we will also discuss below.
- Equipment and appearance. If we talk about the packaging, the Sony SRS XB2 wireless speaker practically does not have it, since the delivery package is quite meager: charging, instructions and the speaker itself. Therefore, let's move straight to the design. The device is available in different colors, there are many of them, but most of all users buy a column of acid yellow or green colors. The dimensions of the portable media device are quite compact: 191x62x65 mm, and weighs only 480 grams. The body consists of metal and matte plastic that is resistant to fingerprints. NFC territory begins at the top, Right side is equipped with buttons as usual. There are no sensors, all the keys are very ordinary: on/off button, Bluetooth control, call answering key and pairing function. Present good quality speakerphone, so in a quiet environment it will not be difficult to communicate through the speaker. All buttons are rubberized and have light sensors. At the back there is a cover under which the AUX and USB-micro inputs are located. Note that the plug tightly covers the connectors and is not so easy to remove. Protection from water droplets reliably protects the device from rain and fog, but we do not recommend immersing it in water (especially salty water). The Sony SRS XB2 portable speaker we are considering will not move around the table, even at maximum volume, since it has 4 large legs. Thanks to a large selection of colors and fashionable features, such as flashing sensors and convenient buttons, the speaker looks expensive, but is reasonably priced.
- Work and sound. As the manufacturers themselves state, Sony SRS XB2 speakers can work for 12 hours and gain a full charge in 3 hours. Thanks to the Extra Bass function, it is possible to experiment with different tracks, although the quality is not very strong. There is support: DSEE (improves mp3) and Clear Audio+ (optimizes frequency). For high-quality sound Several speakers are built into the device, 42 mm each, and a radiator is installed in the center. There is no complaining about the sound, its volume is good and it is clean.
Portable speaker Sony SRS XB3
The first thing that attracts users is that the Sony SRS XB3 portable speaker has good sound at a fairly affordable price. In addition, it supports LDAC and can work for about a day after recharging.
- Equipment and appearance. What you can expect from an inexpensive speaker is a small package, with just the Sony SRS XB3, power supply and instructions in the box. The device can be available in six different colors, of which the most unsightly is black, and the most interesting is blue or light green. The speakers are reliably protected by a metal mesh, and most of the body is made of plastic with an attractive texture, with rubber inserts. The upper part was equipped with control buttons, such as: start and shutdown keys, volume adjustment, turning on Extra Bass, call button, activating pairing and connecting an additional speaker. From two SRS XB3 you can listen to stereo sound. At the top there is an NFC area, and at the back, under a metal grille, a passive radiator is hidden, near which there is an audio connector, a reset key, a charging socket and a USB input (capable of charging various devices). All of the above elements are located under a protective plug. At the bottom there is a rubber pad with legs that provide good stability to the device. The dimensions of the speaker are 211x80x83 mm, and the weight is 930 grams. It's suitable for hiking, but don't forget about the extra space for the power supply. According to the manufacturers, the Sony SRS XB3 can easily cope with splashes, but complete immersion under water is dangerous for it.
- Work and sound. First of all, we should note the support for the proprietary LDAC codec from the manufacturer Sony, which interacts with smartphones of its own manufacture. Due to this, the sound quality increases several times. The built-in microphone is quite good and in a quiet place you can communicate using it. There are plenty of buttons for setting up the device and it’s nice that there are no touch keys, and light sensors help you find the right button in the dark. From the documentation we learn that the column works for two days, but in real time no more than 20 hours, although this is also a normal indicator. The sound comes from two speakers with a frequency of up to 20,000 Hz, there is support for DSEE (improves sound) and Clear Audio+ (optimizes frequency) technologies. If you don't have enough bass, use Extra Bass. Using the Bluetooth key, you can quickly switch to another device at any time. In general, the sound is quite good.
Speaker Sony SRS X1
The Sony SRS X1 portable device is one of the smallest speakers on the market of such equipment. It has splash protection, NFC, and most importantly, it’s convenient for use on the road.
- Equipment and appearance. Like all similar speakers, the SRS X1 does not come with a wide range of accessories; it just comes with a USB-micro cord and instructions. I must say that the entire SRS-X series is quite high quality and we are pleased with the design, sound and of course the price. Sony SRS X1 portable speakers can be seen on sale in three colors: purple, black and white, among which the most impressive is clearly purple. The shape of the device is spherical, due to which the effect of “circular sound” is achieved. The principle of the speaker is not complicated, it has one speaker, on top of which there is a cone and, as a result, sound waves propagate in a circular system. Minimum dimensions - 78x80x78 mm and weight no more than 185 grams. Good assembly, and light sensors mounted in the grooves of the case give the device even more originality. At the top of the speaker there is an NFC area, and under a large plug there is an audio input and a USB-micro connector. The gadget can be connected either using a cable (it’s just not included in the kit) or via Bluetooth. The case of such a sphere does not allow moisture to pass inside; Sony promises that even if it falls into water, nothing will happen to the speaker, everything will function. To start the device, press and briefly hold the start button located on the case. A blue light sensor will indicate the start of work. There are volume control keys and a call acceptance button, since the speaker is equipped with its own microphone (it works fine). On the reverse side there are playback settings keys, Play/Pause and a rewind button. Thanks to the matte structure of the case, it is difficult for fingerprints to remain on it. Stability can also be considered an asset, since even when listening to music at maximum speed, the device does not move.
- Work and sound. It’s worth noting right away that the Sony SRS X1 speaker charges in three hours using a USB-micro cord. As Sony Corporation says, its operation will last for 12 hours. A big plus is the fact that the speaker can be used even while charging. There is only one speaker with a power rating of 5 W, so unfortunately the sound quality is not very impressive. But there are many positive aspects, such as the presence of NFC, long battery life, compactness, etc.
As you can see, there are many noteworthy portable speakers from Sony and plenty to choose from. The main property of any such device is its compactness, and as we saw from the review, these speakers work for a long time without recharging, and the price for them is quite reasonable. And the Sony SRS ZR5, although not portable in the usual sense of the word, reproduces sound perfectly when wireless connection, allowing you to create a powerful audio system at home.
A few months ago, Sony introduced a whole line of portable speaker systems aimed at a youth audience. In today's review I will look at two older models: Sony SRS-XB30 and SRS-XB40. Do these devices create a wow effect? Definitely.
Equipment
Seeing the size of the boxes, I immediately dreamed of a giant Sony SRS-XB30 and SRS-XB40 speaker configurations. After all, these devices are not the cheapest class, so the manufacturer must justify the cost by maximizing the satisfaction of its customers. But no. The delivery package is extremely minimalist and identical.
- the column itself
- charger (power supply SRS-XB30 has 5V parameters<–>3A, and SRS-XB40 – 9.5V<–>2.2A)
- instructions (which I had to use for the first time in a long time)
In general, Sony failed to surprise me in terms of packaging. Everything is just very high quality and tightly packed, nothing more. 
Design
Frankly speaking, when I was waiting for these speakers, I was more concerned about the design issue than the sound quality. I wasn't worried about the latter at all, knowing who the manufacturer was. Sony is one of the few companies that still continues to produce its branded audio players under the Walkman brand. This means, thanks to many years of experience and the availability of technology, they have every opportunity to create best devices in the acoustic systems market.
A characteristic design feature of the entire line is a rectangle with rounded edges. And the older the model, the more similar it is to brick. This is probably due to the fact that each subsequent model increases in size and weight. Here's a size comparison with the Creative D100.
If the Sony SRS-XB30 can still be called portable and portable sound system, then its older brother - Sony SRS-XB40 is a stretch. This is due to the weight of the device (1.5 kg), and not to its dimensions. But I believe that both devices are designed for stationary use at home or at a party.
Depending on the Sony models offers several color variations. Of course, these are the most popular colors: black, red and blue (Sony SRS-XB30 also has green and white versions). But the black version seems to me the coolest and most brutal. 
By the way, I’ll tell you right away about the case. The material of both speakers is very easily soiled and gets dirty literally from everything! Even for photographs, I could not bring them to perfect condition. 
Initially, I thought that the body was made of metal, the devices lie so confidently and heavily in the hands, but in fact it is plastic, which is very reminiscent of rubber in tactile sensations. This also provides moisture protection, because both models have an IPx5 standard. 
Otherwise design Sony SRS-XB30 and SRS-XB40 excellent! I’ll tell you separately about each side.
The front side is covered with a metal mesh that protects two speakers and a passive radiator. Along the perimeter of this grid, on the outside, there is one of the lighting elements. 
On the top side there are all the buttons and the NFC tag (I wonder if it’s possible to pay for purchases in a store?):
- Extra Bass – a regular press activates an additional bass effect, and a long press turns on the backlight.
- A set of standard buttons: volume, start / pause, answering a call (holding this button will allow you to find out the percentage of battery charge), single operation mode / creating a pair from another speaker.
- The main button turns the speaker on or off with a regular press. A long hold turns on Bluetooth to connect to your mobile device.
The rear passive radiator is also covered with a metal mesh. Next to it is a cover with rubberized seals, under which are the following ports: 3.5 mm audio input, charging input and USB port.
Now the speakers can not only play music, but also charge mobile devices. Quite a convenient feature if you often go on a picnic.
By the way, here is an example of how the backlight works: the Sony SRS-XB40 is shown on the left, the Sony SRS-XB30 is shown on the right.
Surely everyone immediately noticed the difference. Unfortunately, the Sony SRS-XB30 does not have backlighting for the speakers themselves. Although this element occupies the largest area of the older model and looks more impressive than a strobe light and a neon strip around the perimeter.
What also makes it special is that the light passes through a metal mesh. The walls of a dark room are immediately painted with characteristic patterns.
Specifications
The differences between the two speakers are minimal: mainly in size, weight and amount of backlighting. Although Sony claimed a smaller battery for the SRS-XB30, the official documentation talks about up to 24 hours of continuous operation for both models.
I think that, due to the lack of speaker backlighting, the operating time of the younger model is on par with the older one.
Sony SRS-XB30
- rated power 64 W (but this is not exact, I’ll explain why later)
- Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC support
- IPx5 water protection
- hands-free mode support
- 2 lighting elements: along the perimeter of the metal mesh and with a strobe function
- dimensions: 228 x 82 x 86 mm
- weight 980 grams
Sony SRS-XB40
- Frequency range: 20–20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz sampling)
- rated power 64 W (that's accurate)
- Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC support
- there is a 3.5 mm audio port and 1 USB input
- battery up to 24 hours of continuous operation
- IPx5 water protection
- hands-free mode support
- 3 lighting elements: around the perimeter, strobe function and speaker backlight
- dimensions: 279 x 100 x 105 mm
- weight 1500 grams
Sound quality
I've been using a Creative D100 portable speaker system for the past few years. We must admit that the device is morally and technically outdated. True, I didn’t think about it that often before.
After listening to just a couple of tracks on Sony speakers, I realized that it was time to change my device. Wireless audio technology has come a long way in just a few years. The difference in sound is felt instantly.
But we must remember that first of all sound Sony SRS-XB30 and SRS-XB 40 created for electronic music. After all, the manufacturer itself positions its own line as a replacement for nightclubs. Therefore, I received almost no pleasure from listening to rock music. Only if the composition contains a powerful bass guitar. 
In terms of sound quality or volume, I didn't notice any difference at all between the two models.
Firstly, I never turned the volume up to maximum volume, because there was a risk of simply going deaf, and the neighbors would immediately run to the door of my apartment. However, I never experienced any wheezing from the speakers.
Secondly, Sony has officially revealed the power of only the older model SRS-XB40. She also added that the SRS-XB30 differs only in size and smaller battery. Therefore, using the usual logical chain, I came to the conclusion that the power of the speakers of the two models is at the same level. 
Speaker systems have a really large volume reserve. A little less than half the filled scale on the smartphone was enough to hear music clearly in the most remote parts of the apartment.
So Sony SRS-XB30 and SRS-XB40 speakers They will definitely keep even the most passive partygoers awake and can be safely used in large rooms or outdoors.
Sony has own application for operating rooms iOS systems and Android. The application acts as a kind of “hub” responsible for synchronizing, setting up and managing all multimedia devices own production.
In general, there is nothing innovative in the application. But there were enough problems:
- I still consider myself a geek and usually figure things out without the help of instructions. But, I was never able to connect two speakers into a single synchronous audio system. It seems that according to the instructions there is nothing complicated, but the application itself really likes to freeze and show a regular black screen when something doesn’t work out. Only restarting the application helps.
- I also failed to connect via NFC. Neither on the iPhone 7 Plus, nor on the . If in the first case there is a limitation of iOS itself, then on Android there is some kind of flaw or an overly complicated connection that few people will understand. But the Bluetooth connection works just great! The speaker calmly plays music even at a distance of 15-20 meters from the smartphone.
I really want the manufacturer to be able to improve their application and simplify all processes. Still, this is not a device from a third-tier company that requires you to “shamanize” the whole evening to get results.
The speaker system is from a great Japanese company with the price of an average smartphone from , and Plug & Play is not implemented at the proper level. How did it happen?
There is also a separate Fiestable app. Somewhat reminiscent of the stock program for controlling the backlight. There are just a few more possibilities - there are a huge number of built-in templates. The backlight already tries to keep up with the music, but Sony additionally offers us other settings with priority for a certain color. Or configure everything with my own hands. The last option is much cooler.
Bottom line
Has Sony managed to make a quality product? Definitely. With the Sony SRS-XB30 and SRS-XB40 speakers, anyone can become the center of attention at a noisy party, thanks to excellent sound and an original lighting system.
At the same time, these devices are perfect for equipping your own room with stationary speaker systems. 
It’s better to overpay a couple thousand at once, but enjoy a full-fledged light show throughout life cycle devices. I can assure all readers that the backlight function is not a one- or two-time feature. Everyone can find a use for it.
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