The Sony SRS-XB100 is fair for outdoor use. For those looking for a compact, lightweight gadget that fits perfectly in the palm of their hand, this speaker is fantastic. The speaker may be fastened to a bag or backpack using the included carrying strap, which you can take off if you’d like. You don’t need to be too concerned about the weather because the speaker is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance and floats in water. However, because of its small size, it lacks the low bass in the mix and doesn’t become loud enough to cover your garden with music like some other speakers do.
It is well-known that Sony produces small Bluetooth speakers. Since I’ve had a couple myself over the years, I was quick to jump on the new model the firm revealed. The somewhat unappealing SRS-XB100.
But is this small speaker capable of taking up the composer’s mantle from its forebears? Now let’s get started and find out.
Best Prices Today: Sony SRS-XB100
It is well-known that Sony produces small Bluetooth speakers. Since I’ve had a couple myself over the years, I was quick to jump on the new model the firm revealed. The somewhat unappealing SRS-XB100.
But is this small speaker capable of taking up the composer’s mantle from its forebears? Now let’s get started and find out.
Sony SRS-XB100 review: At a glance
- What is it? The Sony SRS-XB100 is a tiny wireless speaker with water and dust resistance for listening in any environment.
- What is the price? The Sony SRS-XB100 has an affordable starting price of $ 59.99 USD.
- Where can you buy it? The speaker became available in mid-2023, and you can purchase the speaker at Sony Electronics, Amazon, and other Sony-authorized retailers.
- How did we test it? I used the Sony SRS-XB100 for one week. SoundGuys purchased the review unit.
- Is it worth it? If you want a super portable speaker for personal use, the Sony SRS-XB100 is one of the best on the market.
Best Bluetooth speaker under $100
What I like about the Sony SRS-XB100
The Sony SRS-XB100’s diminutive size and low weight are its most striking features. It is quite easy to move about, feeling like you are carrying a little glass of water in your palm. It’s a hardly perceptible addition to a backpack at just 274g. It’s simple to put on or take off the included strap belt. That being said, exercise caution while strapping it to your backpack because it has a hook-and-loop mechanism rather than a more secure clasp, and severe shaking may cause it to come loose.
The Sony SRS-XB100 is not only incredibly sturdy but also incredibly portable. The speaker is completely dust-resistant and safe from brief submersion in shallow water thanks to its IP67 classification. With its stated 16-hour battery life, this speaker is ideal for outdoor excursions.
Considering its small size, the Sony SRS-XB100 has remarkable sound quality. A passive radiator encircled by ports at the bottom of the device, which project low frequencies, is another feature of the SRS-XB100, in addition to the full-range driver at the top. In a side-by-side comparison, the SRS-XB100 boasts far greater bass than the less expensive Skullcandy Terrain Mini XT. Stereo playback is possible when two SRS-XB100 speakers are paired together.
Design & Build
- Lightweight
- Nice chunky buttons
- IP67 water and dust rating
- Uses sustainable materials
The first thing you notice when you remove the SRS-XB100 from its packaging—which is surprisingly non-plastic—is how light the speaker is in your palm. You can understand how this is the type of gadget you can toss in a backpack or even the pocket of a jacket if you want to carry it with you, as it weighs not much more than most smartphones at 274g.
If you would rather carry it in your hand, the cylindrical shape measuring 75 x 95 mm and the textured plastic provide a comfortable grip. With its removable wrist strap, Sony ensures that you won’t have to worry about dropping it in the pool at summer barbecues or any awkward accidents on hard surfaces.
In the event that the former occurs, you won’t have to skip a beat thanks to the XB100’s IP67 waterproof classification. Another reason the waterproofing is useful is because oil from palms and fingers tends to leave markings on the body that are difficult to get off.
The speaker unit and grill are located on top of the XB100, while the lower half features cutouts that enable the passive radiator to produce sound. A number of controls, including play/pause, volume, Bluetooth pairing, and power on/off, are located above this. Each of the raised symbols has a nice clicky reaction, and their size ensures that you discover the correct one fast.
The USB-C charging connector is located in a covered panel at the end of the controls. You will need to utilize the cord that comes with your smartphone or another source as the box does not contain an adapter.
At least in the darker liveries, the design is straightforward and rather utilitarian, yet it still looks clean and contemporary. The XB100 is available in Orange, Blue, Light Grey, and Black, so if you’d prefer, you may add some shine to the lighter tones.
It’s a nice thing, or rather a somewhat good thing since Sony also states that the XB100 is composed in part of sustainable materials.
Sound Quality & Features
- Sound diffusion processor
- Passive radiator for bass
- Microphone for hands-free calls
It would be reasonable to anticipate a little thin sound from a gadget this compact and light. While it’s important to comprehend the context, that isn’t the case with the XB100.
The main speaker of the device is constructed such that it can blast sound out of the top, with the help of a sound diffusion processor to equalize the output frequencies. There’s a passive radiator at the bottom. Basically, this works by rebounding to the noises thrown out by the speaker, which it amplifies by transferring that energy into the surface below.
The concept has been around for a while, but in the end, the XB100’s tones are greatly impacted by the surface it sits on. For instance, the bass truly rumbled when I listened to the speaker in my living room while it was on my hardwood table. This occurred as a result of the energy being forced into the wooden top by the passive radiator, which then moved down the legs and into the slate floor.
This occasionally produced insanely high bass levels, and I could feel the floor itself throbbing somewhat. Since they have little to work with, almost all of the low frequencies vanished should I take up the XB100 and hold it in my palm.
Thus, you will discover that by only shifting the speaker to a different surface, you may adjust or subdue the frequencies it emits. This is fortunate because—even in the companion app that Sony provides—there are no EQ adjustments or sound presets.
Generally speaking, depending on the music you select and the surface it’s on, the speaker may provide quite nice sounds. Interestingly, I discovered that singer-songwriter or traditional jazz melodies sounded richer and louder than current rock recordings, which are often highly compressed throughout the mix.
The new Nita Strauss album, for instance, sounded a tiny bit smaller than the most recent Elephant Revival album, with its delicate harmonies and folkish instrumentals, while having guitar gymnastics and hard-driving melodies.
This, I assume, is due to the larger frequency spacing, which is simpler to manage with the XB100’s single speaker configuration. I would advise attempting a bigger unit with an array of speakers for higher and lower frequencies if you want something more potent and with a wider frequency range.
That being said, the Sony SRS-XB100 does support listening to contemporary mixes. They certainly sound good, but when it comes to quieter music, I think the device provides more roomy and satisfying sound.
Purchasing two XB100s and then combining them for a stereo system is a possibility. If you and a buddy were thinking of getting one each, this would be an excellent idea; otherwise, it would make more sense to have a single, better speaker.
It’s a nice small item to keep in your luggage for use as a portable speaker. The noises don’t actually carry outside, so you won’t be able to use it to power a party. However, the XB100 can play some nice background music while you and your guests have a picnic or drink in the garden without disturbing the neighbors.
For anyone who like podcasts and audiobooks as much as I do but want higher volumes than what a smartphone can provide, it’s also a fantastic choice. Additionally, a microphone is integrated so you may use the speaker and accept calls hands-free. The recipients in my testing said that everything sounded nice, which is the most you can expect for with this type of function.
The 16-hour battery life of the XB100 will thankfully get you through a good number of albums before it runs out of power, so you won’t need to charge it very frequently. It takes around three hours to fully charge, so you should plug it in well in advance of when you want to prepare for a day trip.
Price & Availability
The SRS-XB100 is available from Sony for $59.99/£54.99/€64.99. In the UK, it is also available from a number of shops, including Currys, Argos, Amazon, and Sony.
It is available for purchase in the US from Sony, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, Dell, and B&H Photo.
It appears that this may be the actual pricing on the street because the corporation had lowered these costs as of the time of writing to about the $40/£40/€40 range. You’re getting a cute small travel buddy with amazing sound capabilities for that amount of money.
As an alternative, consider the stylish JBL Clip 4, which retails for around $50/£50/€50. It is small, has decent sound quality, but lacks an integrated microphone for hands-free calling.
For around the same price as the Sony XB100, there’s also the Edifier MP100 Plus, a waterproof speaker that is likewise incredibly portable and has superb sound quality.
Should you buy the Sony SRS-XB100?
The Sony XB100 is a great choice if you want a portable speaker that you can use in the house, on vacation, or outside in the garden.
You should be cautious where you position it, but the sound quality is decent, and you can listen to your audio without any hassles thanks to the simple pairing process and long battery life.
Although an EQ setting and more volume for usage outside would have been excellent, this small speaker is still a good option for anybody looking for a reasonably priced, well-made, portable listening solution.
