Do you need a portable speaker? One that you can take with you? There are numerous options available. People like this speaker because it looks cool and is easy to carry. But is it the right thing for you?
This review will cover everything. We will talk about how it sounds and how it looks. We will determine how long the battery lasts and its overall strength. Let’s find out if the Sony SRS-XB23 is the best portable music player for you.
Design and Build Quality
It looks like a cylinder. This shape looks nice and works well. The speaker can sit up straight or lie on their side. The design also makes the soundstage bigger. We’ll talk more about that later.
Sony made this speaker to last. This keeps the drivers safe inside. It also helps you hold on tight. It has a strap that makes it easy to carry. You can easily carry the speaker or hang it from a hook or bag.
Sound Quality: Clear and Wide
How does the Sony SRS-XB23 sound? It works very well for its size.
A Big Soundstage
The speakers are cylindrical and have passive radiators on the sides, which makes the sound feel big. It fills the space around you. This is a great thing for a tiny speaker.
Mids and Highs
The speaker does a great job with both singing and playing. The midrange is clear and present. The treble is clear and sharp, but not too sharp. This makes it great for listening to podcasts, pop music, and acoustic music.
Bass Performance
Out of the box, the sound profile doesn’t have enough deep low-bass. The speaker works with Sony’s “EXTRA BASS” setting. You can turn this on with the push of a button. This mode makes the lower frequencies louder. It makes your music sound fuller and stronger.
Graphic EQ for a Personalized Sound
There is a graphic equalizer in the Sony | Music Center app. This is a very useful tool. You can change the sound profile to get it just how you want it. You can make the bass or treble louder.
Battery Life and Performance
When you’re on the go, a portable speaker needs to work well.
How long does the battery in the SRS-XB23 last? This is the regular mode. It goes down to about 10 hours if you use the “EXTRA BASS” feature. This is still a good show. It will last all day at the beach or in a park without any problems. You can charge the speaker with a USB-C port that is up to date.
Durability: Made for the Outdoors
The Sony SRS-XB23 is a great speaker to use outside. It was built to work in tough situations.
Is the SRS-XB23 Waterproof?
Yes, it is. The speaker is IP67 rated. This is a very important part. The “6” means that it is completely dustproof. It can also handle saltwater.
The speaker can also take shocks. Sony has put it through tests to see if it can handle bumps and drops. Because it is so strong, it can go on any adventure with you.
Question and Answers
Is the SRS-XB23 a better speaker than the JBL Flip 5?
Is the JBL Flip 6 better than the Sony SRS-XB23?
What sets the Sony SRS-XB23 and XB33 apart from each other?
What makes the XB13 different from the XB23?
Is it worth it to buy the Sony SRS-XB33?
Is JBL made by Sony?
Smart Features and Connectivity
There is more to a modern speaker than just sound. Being able to connect and have smart features is very important. The Sony SRS-XB23 does a good job in this area.
Pairing and Bluetooth
The speaker uses Bluetooth 5.0. This guarantees that the link is solid and steady. The range is great. You can still get a signal if you walk around your room or yard.
Party Connect
Use Sony’s Party Connect if you want to have a good time. You can connect to 100 compatible wireless speakers with it. This lets the lights and music work together (on models like the Sony SRS-XB33). You could hook up a Sony SRS-XB23 to either a Sony XB33 or a Sony SRS-XB13. This makes a sound system that works well in a big room.
Stereo Pair
The Stereo Pair feature makes music sound more real when you listen to it. For this, you need two Sony SRS-XB23 speakers. You can pick one to be the left channel and the other to be the right. This creates a real stereo sound field. It’s great for watching movies on a tablet or listening to music.
Speakerphone Functionality
If your phone is connected, you can answer a call through the speaker. The sound is good. This is a helpful feature for making calls at home or at work without using your hands.
The Sony | Music Center App
This speaker is great because it has an app that goes with it. It unlocks a lot of the best features.
- Control of Sound: You can also save battery life by switching between sound modes like “EXTRA BASS” and “Stamina Mode.”
- Party Connect Management: The app makes it easy to group speakers with Party Connect.
- Power Settings: The app lets you see how much battery life is left and even turn off the speaker.
- Updates to the firmware: Sony sometimes puts out updates to make things work better. You use the app to put them on.
The app lets you turn the Sony SRS-XB23 from a regular speaker into a smart audio device.
Further Comparisons: Testing the XB23
The UE Boom 3 vs the SRS-XB23
This is a common match. The UE Boom 3 is another great cylindrical speaker. The main difference is the philosophy behind the sound. The UE Boom 3 has a sound design that goes all the way around. It sends sound in all directions at once. The drivers on the Sony SRS-XB23 face forward, which is more like a traditional stereo setup.
The Boom 3 is usually a little louder. You can control the playlist with a simple “Magic Button.” The Sony SRS-XB23 has a full graphic EQ, which lets you change the sound more. The UE app only has preset EQs.
What about a smaller option, like the Sony SRS-XB13?
There is a big difference. You should clip it to a bag and leave it there. The sound isn’t as immersive because it’s a mono speaker. Its volume and bass are very low compared to the XB23.
The SRS-XB13 is a great way to listen to music while you ride your bike or hike. For sharing music with a few people, the Sony SRS-XB23 is great.
Ideal Use Cases for the Sony SRS-XB23
What is the best place for this speaker? Here are some great examples.
The Backyard Feel
The XB23 makes just the right amount of noise for a small barbecue or a quiet time on the patio. It’s a lot better than just talking on the phone.
This speaker might not be as loud as some of the JBL Flip 5 speakers or the bigger SRS-XB33, but it is very useful. This speaker can do everything you need to listen to by yourself or with a few friends. Many reviews of the JBL Flip 6 talk about how powerful it is, but the Sony’s custom EQ and stereo sound make it worth more in a different way.
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