Sony SRS-XB33 EXTRA BASS Wireless Bluetooth Portable Speaker, IP67 Waterproof & Durable for Home, Outdoor, and Travel, 24 Hour Battery, Party Lights, USB Type-C, and Speakerphone, Black

So I've been looking for my do-it-all BT speaker for a while, without spending too much, and of the ones I have owned, the Sony SRS-XB33 is the clear winner. Scroll down if you want to read the direct review of the Sony speaker.Previously, I've owned the Oontz Angle 3 Ultra, and briefly the Tribit Maxsound Plus, and JBL Charge 4. The Oontz speakers I still own, (two in paired stero), and they are a great value for the money, especially as a pair in stereo. That would be a clear winner for me for under $100 (for both!) However, as you might imagine, the small size and overall build prevents this from really producing deep, resonating bass, and the overall sound is a little thin without a ton of range. However, for a lot of people, these would be a perfectly acceptable choice for on-the-go music.The Tribit Maxsound was just not very good. I don't know how it seems to receive such high praise as an affordable, but great sounding speaker. It just isn't very good, very tinny, and the bass is really lacking. The Oontz speakers are a much better sound profile, and even slightly better bass. That model also cannot be paired in stereo (AFAIK). Not worth purchasing IMO.Now, for the XB33, and how it compared to a worthy competitor, the JBL Charge 4. The two speakers are of similar size (I didn't get exact measurements, but are more or less similar), and larger than I might have though. Perhaps because I was used to much smaller, cheaper BT speakers... These are definitely not as portable, at least for things like packing in luggage. Probably fine for road trips, but I would not want to pack this in my airplane luggage. In the box comes the speaker, a charging cord and some (terrible) instructions. The instructions now look like IKEA assembly instructions, just confusing pictures. The pairing process is pretty easy.SOUND: The sound quality of this speaker is outstanding. The overall sound profile is very rich, and it seems to carry farther than the volume would indicate. Meaning, some speakers are loud, but when you walk further away from it, the sound dissipates quickly. The Sony speaker's sound carries farther, I don't know why that is, or how that is quantified, other than when I walk away from it, the volume I hear decreases much more slowly than some other speakers I've had. Again, that's one of those possibly subjective things, but it's definitely true based on my experience. The bass is very robust and resonates well without simply thumping for the sake of being the deepest, hardest bass. The Charge 4 has deeper bass that hits harder, but this one just sounds better. It complements the mids and highs much better than the Charge 4. Speaking of which, the main issue I had with that speaker is the lack of clarity in the mid range. The profile was just too one-dimensional for me. Thumpy bass and decent highs, but there was no depth to the sound. I just could not get into the sound profile from that speaker. You'll see a common complaint about the Charge 4 is the mids, and it absolutely is true. A good speaker with very good bass, but no depth and dimension to it. Back to this speaker, the overall sound profile is the key point. The bass is very good, but the speaker isn't just a slapper. The mids and highs are all excellently rendered in a very three dimensional sound that works well together. There isn't one aspect of this speaker that is "the best", but as a total package, it's the best sound I've heard from speakers in and around this price point. Recently I purchased a second to pair in stereo, and I'm even more impressed now. One speaker by itself sounds so rich that you may not need a second, but you really can hear the difference in two of them. Hands down, this is the winner vs the Charge 4, and an excellent value in this price range. Oh, I forgot to mention the lights! They are customizeable in the app, and really add some additional flare to a great sounding speaker, for those big house parties.A few minor complaints I have. One is the volume of this speaker is surprisingly low. I have sensitive hearing, so I generally don't need extreme volume, but I find myself usually at about 80-90% volume outside, and maybe 70% inside, and that's just to listen at a decently loud, but comfortable volume. If you turn it all the way up, it's loud, but I could easily leave it turned up all the way without feeling like my ears would start bleeding immediately. Even my small Oontz speakers can get louder. Again, as a stereo pair, the overall volume is much louder, and that might be a solution, but as a solo speaker, some people might find the volume a bit low. Also, the battery life is pretty poor. Maybe I'm not used to these larger speakers, but I find myself charging the thing every few days, using it several hours a day. It is probably within spec, but it sure does seem like these need to be charged quite often. However, apart from that, this speaker is fantastic, and highly recommended.

Very good sound quality for a small portable speaker. Blue Tooth easily pairs with iPhone, Android, and Amazon Echo. Volume adjusts well in very small increments from very quiet to loud. I have not turned it to full volume yet, so I don't know how loud it can get or how much distortion there may be at full volume, but at reasonable levels, I did not detect any distortion. In a large room, 18'X30', with vaulted ceiling, it was still loud even at just a mid-range volume. I do not use the lighting system in it, I found that useless - I wanted a speaker, not a light show.I have been using the device for almost one month on a regular, almost daily, basis, paired to phones and to an Amazon Echo - far superior sound quality to any of those. Used it once on battery mode for several or more hours at a moderate volume without it going dead or noticing any other issues. When it is in battery mode, it turns off after awhile of not being used. Left connected to charging cable, it auto-connects with BT device, no manual switching needed.Took on a vacation, put it in the laptop backpack with two laptops, etc., it's light enough and small enough that weight and size is not an issue.So far I am satisfied with how well it performs. I have another portable speaker I bought about 5 years ago for a similar price that is much smaller. I thought that one was pretty good, this Sony blows that one away. This one also pairs more readily and the sound volume, unlike the last one, can be adjusted in small increments.[Edit] 2024 - After 3 years of use, the battery still lasts a very long time, and I use it just about daily. I take it on trips, too, and its weight makes it easy to carry in my backpack, along with my Ipad. On full volume, I do not hear any distortion. It has rich notes and not tinny, as small speakers in decades past used to be. I am still impressed with its quality.

The Sony SRS-XB33 EXTRA BASS Wireless is definitely the best Bluetooth speaker I have owned and I have tried many different ones. the bass, clarity, and lack of distortion is evident in very low as well as very high volume. With its small size it still gives you an impressive spacial stereo effect. I definitely like it more than other very famous brands which I own or have tried.

I don't like the fact I can not pair this with my older ipads... At $100+ you would figure it can. I can pair it with newer Ipads and older androids with no problem. ( I use my older tech as Media players... TV, Music, Pics, etc.) I am a noob when it comes to high tech so my knowledge is limited but I can get around.I do like the sound. Its not over the top but it is enough to hear it from far. Bass is good as well. Not sure about the water proof part as I have not tested it in the water yet. I have had it out in the snow a few times and its been covered in snow but with the days here are at below freezing I cant consider this water yet since you can just blow of the snow from it... (Bought in Jan review in Feb)What I really like is the lights. My 7 Year old loves them as well. With covid around we have dance parties at our house ( we turn the lights off and dance to his favorite music) just the 3 of us... but we definitely enjoy the lights and sound quality.Battery is awesome. It'll last me about a week of 3 - 4 hours a day listening to it. Sometimes 2 weeks depending on use. I tells you once the battery is low which is pretty cool. It doesn't bring an ac adapter though. But you get an usb cord. Its a downside but if you own any tech you probably have a million laying around...I would definitely recommend it. It is a bit bulky (heavy and big) but I like its size.