That said, the Bose is smaller, making it a bit more portable. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. I.e. It can also get louder than the Sony, although there are more compression artifacts at max volume, and its battery life is outstanding. But unfortunately one major down grade the XB33 has gotten from the XB32 is that it no longer has an audio jack. Note: By default, Sony ClearAudio+ is enabled when the EXTRA BASS preset is selected. This speaker also has a narrow soundstage and doesn't get very loud. Amazing sound quality and battery performance, materials is high quality to the touch, heavy durable feel, low base sound that fills a room adequately. The battery can be recharged and used over again. With voice prompts, you will automatically receive information via audio messages for instance, you may find out that the battery is running low, and it's time to recharge the device. Highs were quite bad and didn't have so much detail, mids were quite muddy and there was so much bass. Sony SRS-XB31. It has lower latency on iOS and Android, although apps seem to compensate for latency differently. A built-in FM radio tuner allows you to listen to most of the live-broadcasted FM radio stations without using the internet. However, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, even when using its 'EXTRA BASS' feature, and it doesn't get very loud. In terms of the design, I didn't liked it. There is a control panel on the device body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to. TheSony SRS-XB33 ismediocre for music. The higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble. More drivers may result in better sound quality. But this app is so clunky and its laid out like its from 2010, and I never really use it. mid-range is fairly well-balanced. But more importantly the XB33 has significantly better instrument separation and a much wider sound stage. And both of these speakers have SBC AAX and LDAC support. The Anker Soundcore Motion+ is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XB33 overall. 253 Sony SRS-XB33. The Sony SRS-XB33 is a slightly better speaker than the Anker Soundcore 3. And if youre willing to spend more, Sony's SRS-XB43 is the best of the bunch, with the same rugged build and LED lights, but more robust audio performance. Picture 1 of 5. The device has an option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device. 210g lighter? 1627.86cm vs 2529.37cm Has an AUX input? The Bose SoundLink Revolve II and the Sony SRS-XB33 are similar, though they have different strengths. However, the Sony supports voice assistants through your smartphone. Measuring 3.8 by 9.7 by 4.2 (HWD) and available in black, blue, red, or taupe, the SRS-XB33 isn't quite cylindricalits oblong like its less expensive sibling, the Sony SRS-XB23 ($99.99). Now size wise these speakers are roughly the same size of one another but the XB33 is a little heavier than the XB32 cause it weighs in at 2.4 pounds (1,100g) where as the XB32 weighs in at 1.9 pounds (900g), but ultimately this isnt a huge weight difference like we saw with the XB43 and XB41. On Jay-Z and Kanye Wests No Church in the Wild, the kick drum loop receives enough high-mid presence for its attack to retain its punchiness in the mix, while the sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat are delivered with a solid amount of bass depth, but nothing approaching what youd hear on a larger system with subwoofer capabilities. The speaker can be paired or added to groups of like devices, and flashing LED lights add a visual element to the party. Sony SRS-XB33 Wireless Extra Bass Bluetooth Speaker with 24 hrs Battery, Party Lights, Party Connect, Waterproof IPX67, Dustproof, Rustproof, Speaker with Mic, Loud Audio for Phone Calls/WFH (Black) : Amazon.in: Electronics Electronics Home Audio Speakers Bluetooth Speakers 14,99000 FREE delivery Friday, 17 February. You can also place it vertically or horizontally, depending on your preferences. Devices with neodymium magnets are lighter and more powerful than those which use ferrite magnets. The SRS-XB23 is smaller and has a 360-degree design, so its soundstage is perceived as wide. Sony also claims the speaker is also saltwater resistant, so you can bring it to the beach without worry. Now I do want to point out that this USB C port is strictly used for charging, you cant use this USB C port as a wired connection and you cant use this USB C port to charge your own devices. The sound vibrations produced by a passive radiator depend on its mass and the size of its enclosure. Or maybe youre just after something that comes in taupe because you like taupe. The Sony SRS-XB33 is a better speaker for most uses than the JBL Flip 5. The Sonos Roam is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XB33. Wireless devices allow users more freedom of movement. Here's a list of the Sony XB key players, what they can (and cant) offer, where to find the best deals and, ultimately, advice on whether you should actually buy one. Sony's popular (and oft discounted) Extra Bass speakers are big online, but should one be in your home? SONY Xperia 1 IV 12GB/256GB Dual SIM Black (XQ-CT54) Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 12GB/512GB Dual SIM Phantom Black (SM-S908BZKHEUE) Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G 6GB/128GB Dual Bose SoundLink Flex 74 points Sony SRS-XB33 $149.00 $128.00 Comparison winner vs 78 facts in comparison Bose SoundLink Flex vs Sony SRS-XB33 Bose SoundLink Flex Sony SRS-XB33 At . The device is protected with extra seals to prevent failures caused by dust, raindrops, and water splashes. These microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. On either end, the Sony SRS-XB33 has a band of LED lights that continually change colors and flash to the beat (they can be controlled or disabled in the app). Like other speakers from this lineup, it comes with customizable RGB lights and is compatible with the Sony Music Center app and Sony's Fiestable app, which lets you access sound customization features, sound effects, and light show effects. The Sony is better built and can be paired to up to two devices at once, so you can easily switch between audio sources. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, she freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 20-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist any love of dance is of course tethered to a love of music. The Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is a slightly better speaker than the Sony SRS-XB33 overall. By continuing to browse our site, you agree to our use of cookies. I found the Flip's sound to be richer, with more detail and punch than the Sony's. 81mm vs 106mm And as one of the biggest names in consumer technology, Sony's range of Bluetooth speakers could well be just the ticket. aptx Adaptive is an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that is developed by Qualcomm. When not writing, she dances, spins in the air, drinks coffee, watches football or surfs in Cornwall with her other half a football writer whose talent knows no bounds. TheSony XB33 is not bad for podcasts. Help us by suggesting a value. The battery is removable and can be replaced by the user if broken. The Ultimate Ears feels better-built, has a more neutral sound profile, and its soundstage seems more wide and spacious. However, the dip in the treble range dulls and veils the upper harmonics of speech. So if you want to pick this speaker up itll be linked down below. The speaker also turns off after approximately 15 minutes when not in use. The lowest frequency at which the device produces audio. The Sony SRS-XB33 is a better speaker than theAlpine Corporation Solar Bluetooth Rock Speaker overall. It also supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't very good. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XB33, though they have different strengths. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high resolution audio. aptX HD is an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that is developed by Qualcomm. Sony SRS-XB40. Between this model and the $100 SRS-XB23, which we also like, we more strongly suggest this onethe increase in price is not insignificant, but what you get in return (more powerful audio and bass depth) will be worth it to some. TheSony SRS-XB33 isgood for outdoor use. It's also a better choice for outdoor use since it's better-built with longer battery life. That said, it can still register commands from a normal spoken human voice, so this can vary depending on your usage habits and may not be a problem. The lower-register instrumentation sounds richer and more powerful, but the highs are still the focus of the mix, bright and clear. The Sony XB402M has that same light-up panel design, an outdoor boost party-friendly function and, this time, Spotify Connect embedded as well as Alexa. That said, the Sony's companion app comes with a graphic EQ you can use to tweak the sound to your liking. This speaker is compatible with the Fiestable app. The Sony XB33's frequency response accuracy is just passable. Multipoint allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. Unlike the JBL Xtreme 3, you can also use the play/pause button to answer calls. The X-Balanced speaker unit in theXB33andXB23features both this newly-developed non-circular diaphragm and an off-centre design, which Sony says also offers big sound while keeping the speakers compact in size. An auxiliary input allows you to play other audio sources by connecting them through a simple audio connection like a 3.5mm jack, i.e for MP3 or portable DVD/CD player. Even though I'm a freelancer now, PCMag has been my home for well over a decade, and audio gear reviews are still my primary focus. . With a large amount of internal storage, you can save more files and apps on your device. The XB33 has all new frontward firing transducers and new dual passive radiators that shoot out the sides. 51.255.45.108 And all stamina mode does on the XB32 is that it severally reduced the bass on this speaker to make it more power efficient. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high resolution audio. The highest frequency at which device produces audio. . The first set of controls is on the speaker's top side. That the app has user-adjustable EQ only sweetens the deal. The Sony's sound profile is more customizable thanks to the graphic EQ in its companion app. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. I was used to see mediocre speakers coming from Sony but this one felt different. The SRS-XB33s IP67 rating is excellent for a portable speaker. TheSony XB33 isincredibly portable. It can also produce slightly deeper bass. a first number of 6 denotes that it is completely dustproof, and a second number of 7 denotes that the device can withstand full immersion in water. SONY SRS-XB31(B) educactiva.mx, Sony SRS XB31 Orange Light Stays On Problem - Tom's Tek Stop, Sony SRS-XB31 Extra Bass Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker , SONY SRS-XB31 - .com, Amazon.co.jp: SRS-XB31 B , 2023srs-xb31 - . I found it too simple and its lights didn't help at all. Keep an eye on your inbox! The aforementioned Stamina setting can also be accessed here, and there are various EQ presets as well as user-adjustable EQ bands (and a host of sound effects we can recommend leaving off). And all stamina mode on the XB33 is just the standard mode on the XB32. The mic offers solid intelligibility. It allows you to customize its RGB lights and control party-centric features like DJ sound effects and more. The device's battery life (when in use) as given by the manufacturer. Bass is very Low and Punchy, deepest bass I've experienced on a Bluetooth Speaker this size. Behind the cloth grille, dual full-range drivers, aided by passive bass radiators on both ends of the speaker, deliver a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. Sony SRS-XB31. JBL Partybox 710 Vs Sony XV900 Vs Soundboks 3. It has a slightly longer-lasting battery life too. Then when you want to turn them back on again, simply repeat what you did above. Battery life was great, achieving good numbers after my testing. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono,which is more immersive. It supports a wireless charging standard such as Qi. It supports high quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps). It's similarly well-built with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be fully dust-tight and immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. Rubber feet on the bottom panel keep the 2.4-pound speaker stable on flat surfaces. Sony SRS-XB31 Bluetooth MP3 Player Docks & Mini Speakers, Sony SRS-XB41 Bluetooth MP3 Player Docks & Mini Speakers, Press and hold in the LIGHT-BATT button for three seconds. The internal storage refers to the built-in storage space available in a device for system data, apps, and user-generated data. All Rights Reserved. aptx Adaptive is an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that is developed by Qualcomm. The more power per year a device consumes, the less energy efficient it is, making it more costly over time. For example you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. And from Sonys app youve got a few different lighting modes to choose from, but the main ones here are rave, chill and strobe. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams The Gospel According to the Other Mary, get more bass presence than purists will want to hear, but it doesnt throw the entire balance of the mix out of whack. Now personally I just like to use this speaker while in extra bass mode when im going to listen to music. The XB33 has all new frontward firing transducers and new dual passive radiators that shoot out the sides. It also has low iOS and Android latency, although some apps seem to compensate for latency differently. The Sony Music Center app for Android and iOS opens up various features and control settings. The Sony SRS-XB33 has excellent battery performance. It has faster transfer rates and improved security compared to its predecessors a, b, and g. This page is currently only available in English. An indicator shows you when the device has low battery. As a result, its soundstage is perceived as narrow, directional, and uneven, and your audio doesn't quite sound the same when you listen from different angles, like from behind the speaker. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo, This is Cabaret and The Stage. . The battery can be recharged and used over again. Its ClearAudio+ feature is also advertised to adjust the speaker's sound reproduction according toyour audio content. It has less compression present at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volume levels. As is, the SRS-XB33 delivers a bass-forward, crisp sound that will still appeal to many listeners without any EQ tweaks. While the XB33 lists an IK rating for impact resistance, there isn't an IK rating specified for the XB43. The drivers are also lit up by LEDs and resemble glowing eyes from behind the grille. And this is important: the new XB23, XB33 and XB43 speakers' pairing feature is not backwards compatible with older XB speakers, meaning you're limited to the new range or the old, to beef up the sound. For $150, the Sony SRS-XB33 represents an excellent value, with solid bass depth from a waterproof, fairly compact frame. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise. A speaker driver is an individual transducer that converts electrical energy to sound waves. Searching for something super-easy to connect? (Sony SRS-XB31). The new '3'-suffixed range features Sonys newly developed X-Balanced speaker unit. The XB33 also has decent real world battery life performance and I also like its newer design from the XB32 cause its also more durable now just like how the XB31. You can also turn on battery-saving mode with the Stamina button. The lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass.