Summer is the perfect time to source out a new Bluetooth speaker. And ahead of nearly every summer season, Sony releases new versions of it’s uber-popular Extra Bass lineup of wireless speakers. This year I had the opportunity to get hands-on with the newest iterations: the Sony SRS-XB23, Sony SRS-XB33 and Sony SRS-XB43. I’ll tell you all about them, what they can do, how they sound and whether you might want to pick one up not just for summer but to bring the party with you all year.
Review of the Sony SRS-XB23, Sony SRS-XB33 & Sony SRS-XB43
There are three speakers in this series; each a bit different from the other. Naturally, as they step up in size and power, they also step up in price too.
These are often billed as ‘party speakers’ thanks to their power, portability and—on the larger two—built in LED lighting effects.
Similar but different
The three speakers in this line are similar but different. The two larger ones, the Sony SRS-XB33 and Sony SRS-XB43 can be used standing on their ends or lying on their sides. They have a flat front and flat base. The Sony SRS-XB23 is a cylinder. Each has a rubber door protecting other buttons and connectors in the back.
Speaker Power
Not surprisingly these speakers step up in wattage and volume as they get bigger. Sony doesn’t make finding sound specs easy for the 23 or 33—I couldn’t find anything but the SRS-XB43 sound specs which are: 2 x 16 watts, 2 x 0.79” woofers, 20mm tweeters.
Waterproof/Dustproof IP rating
The Sony SRS-XB23, the SRS-XB33 and the full sized SRS-XB44 are all rated against water and dirt penetration. They have the rating IP67, which means each is fully protected from dirt and dust and can withstand water and even salt water.
Lighting effects of the Sony SRS-XB23, Sony SRS-XB33 & Sony SRS-XB43
The larger two speakers have built in lighting effects that will flash and pulse to the beat of what’s playing. The SRS-XB33 has two behind-the grill lights and LED colour-changing banding around the edges. The SRS-XB43 has four lights under the grill and the same LED colour changing banding. The XB22 has no lighting options (unlike the original XB21).
Sony Music Centre and Sony Fiestable apps
Why there’s two, I don’t know. To get the most out of these speakers, you’ll need not one but two apps: the Sony Music Centre app allows you to adjust some settings and check detailed battery levels, etc. But if you want control over the lighting on the XB 33 and 43, you’ll also need the Sony Fiestable app. There’s a bunch of different colour options, flashing effects and more which you can set or play with live. This is definitely fun and will be even more so for younger users.
Oddly, it seems to me these features all used to be available in the Music Centre app, and why Sony is splitting this function up is beyond me.
Sound quality of the Sony SRS-XB23, Sony SRS-XB33 & Sony SRS-XB43
Let’s get down to sound: these speakers sound excellent. Not surprisingly the power and overall audio quality steps up as you go up the line, with the XB43 the biggest, baddest and most powerful of all.
Even so, each of them, even the wallet-friendlier and more compact XB23 sounds good. My preference was definitely for the XB43. I thought it sounded bigger, louder, more resonant, deeper and more detailed, with substantially more bass. The XB33 by comparison sounded a bit thinner. No, you probably wouldn’t notice this unless you had them both side by side switching between them. But if audio quality is paramount, you’ll want to go big here.
There’s obviously a lot of bass and you can feel it in a table or surface. I had the XB43 camping with me and used it extensively outside and it was easily able to fill our area with sound.
Vocals sound clear on each of the speakers, and the overall sound is well balanced. Only high fives here when it comes to audio quality of these speakers.
Common features in the SRS-XB lineup
Though there are some differences between each speaker, they do each have some common features.
Sony Extra Bass
Sony’s Extra Bass technology is the key feature of these speakers; it’s what they’re named for, and what the “XB” in the name stands for.
EXTRA BASS technology essentially lets you get more bass out of your music. The Sony EXTRA BASS headphones and speakers use what’s called an Electro Bass Booster to make the lower tones of bass lines more prominent. This battery-powered enhancer digitally improves lower end frequencies in the music and that in turn boosts bass. The feature can be turned on or off to suit your music or mood.
Live Sound
Live Sound is another feature of the XB-33 and 43 portable speakers. Activating this function is done with the touch of a button on the top of the speakers. Live Mode is apparently supposed to give you a more live and in person sound. I wouldn’t say it enhanced the sound, but it did change it, making the music less bass-heavy and leaned it more towards the high end. For me personally this setting did nothing for me.
In case you’re keeping score, a previous option that allowed you to smack the speakers and get crazy sound effects, Party Booster, appears to no longer be available on these speakers.
Party Connect/Party Chain
These speakers have a feature called Party Connect (formerly Party Chain), which essentially lets you connect and group multiple speakers to the same source. With compatible Sony devices, you can connect up to 100 (100!!) speakers in the chain. Not only will the music play across devices but the lights match up too.
I’ve got full instructions here, but the gist of it is you turn on one speaker, (this will become your main speaker) press the ‘Party’ button, then turn on the next speaker, press the button and so on down the chain. I tried this out and am happy to report it was easy.
To de-connect them, push and hold the party button on any of the speakers that’s not the main one.
Stereo Pairing
You can also pair two speakers to create a stereo pair. The full instructions are here, but I couldn’t get this to work after about half a dozen attempts. The steps are rather finicky and after each try, my phone would become disconnected and wouldn’t reconnect while the stereo pairing lights were on. I tried using the app to make the stereo pairing connection and just got constant error messages. During my testing period I was unable to make stereo pairing work correctly. Hopefully Sony will have this patched in a future app or firmware update.
USB charging/power bank
There’s built in USB charging on all three models so you can keep your phone juiced up.
Battery life of the Sony SRS-XB23, Sony SRS-XB33 & Sony SRS-XB43
The battery life in these speakers is decent, but hasn’t improved at all since I first reviewed this lineup about 2-3 years ago.
SRS-XB23: 12 hours battery life
SRS-XB33: 24 hours battery life
SRS-XB43: 24 hours battery life
Setting up the Sony XB speakers
Setting the speakers up is super simple. Power on by pushing and holding the power button. That will put it into pairing mode for your first use, which will be confirmed with a verbal prompt. And flashing blue LED light. Go to your phone or device’s Bluetooth menu, select the speaker and tap to connect. I went through this numerous times with several speakers and it worked perfectly every time. If you need to re-enable pairing, just push the Bluetooth button.
Overall review of the Sony SRS-XB23, Sony SRS-XB33 & Sony SRS-XB43
Overall, these are great speakers. They sound great, they’re a breeze to set up and use too (and even getting the party chin feature going was easy). If there are any downsides, it’s with little things like the need for two apps to control both settings and lighting effects.
I remember how happy I was to have received a Sony Playstation for my birthday when I was in 7th grade. That’s when I learned how great Sony products are and the wide variety that exists! I would love to add a Sony TV to my home. Great quality products!
Sony is one of those brand names that you hear the name and you think immediately of quality, excellent reputation, technology leader. My parents had Sony and now I do and have never had an issue with any of the products I have purchased. I would love to buy the Sony X950H TV.
I believe Sony is one of the best brands available for audio products. There is no match for the sound quality on their products. They have one of the best TVs, gaming console and audio systems… Cant wait to get that PS5 🙂
I remember my excitement when i received a Sony Playstation for Christmas one year and I have loved Sony products ever since. I would enjoy trying the Sony WF-SP800N wireless earbuds. They look like fun.
I love the quality of Sony products. Thanks for the opportunity!
I always love the Sony’s technology. It’s always the best.
I’m a long time Sony fan . The quality has never let me down !
Sony is a quality premium brand. I would love to ad a new tech TV to our home.
Thank you for the informative review. I think I would like to try the XB43 to use outside
I like that Sony is such a reliable brand and would love to have the Sony 65″ 4K UHD HDR LED Android Smart TV.
I love Sony’s fantastic sound quality and would love to add an SRS-XB43 Bluetooth Wireless Speaker to my home.
Sony produces great quality, reliable products. I would like a Sony X950H 55-inch 4K HDR Full Array LED Smart Android TV!
Thanks for the great info on all 3 speakers; would love to give the XB43 a try!
Really love the high quality and great sound from Sony
Love that it’s waterproof and that it has great sound quality
Love Sony products and the SRS-XB43 would be great for hosting large get togethers outside.
I’ve been using Sony products for years. Actually, I’ve been wanting one of the wireless, waterproof speakers to take with us to the beach and on our camping trips. The Sony SRS-XB43 EXTRA BASS Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker would be great for this.
I love the diversity of Sony products. I’d love to add a new TV like the Sony Z9G and a Sony soundbar.
Love Sony’s quality and would like the Sony SRS-XB43
I’ve never been interesting in electronics until now, since my daughter is a dancer! For a dancer the quality of the sound is very important. This would be great speakers to make my little dancer feel she’s right on stage, with the “Live Sound”
Great products – would love to have of the great OLED televisions.
I love that Sony products are made to work together – one remote works for everything! And the quality is always reliable.
I love the quality of Sony and would love the Sony Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones.
Sony make such good quality products and I would love to have a Sony 65″ 4K UHD HDR LED Android Smart TV.
I love Sony because you can count on them for quality. Would love to add this tv to my living space! Sony 55″ 4K UHD HDR LED Android Smart TV
Sony is a one of a kind product manufacturer. Their speakers have always had that bass motivated sound. love em!!!
I loved the quality of Sony’s products ever since I owned one of their Trinitron TV. I would love to get a PS5 once it is released.
Im so excited about these speakers! They would be a good addition to my home as I’m looking for something more powerful and with better base.
What I love about Sony products is that I don’t have to think about the built and quality of my products, because they are always made to last.
SONY is a timeless, trusted brand and I recall my very first Walkman was a SONY. 🙂 In addition to these speakers, I’d love to get my hands on the over ear noise-cancelling headphones!
Love the quality of Sony products.
Great quality products – would love one of the great 4K televisions.
Sony’s great history of product quality – would love to add a new Sony TV.
I love the quality of Sony products and would love to add a PlayStation 5 to my home. Cheers!
With all of the socially distanced outdoor gatherings I have been to, I have been so glad for my portable speaker. This Sony sounds like it might be my next purchase.
love Sony’s quality
I loves my Play Station which was the first Sony products I’ve owned and always have keep an eye out for new Sony products because of their quality. I would buy the A7C Sony’s smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless camera. It would be easy to use and great for pictures of our new baby.
I love the durability of these speakers. I’d like to have the Sony SRS-XB43 speakers to replace my old ones.
I love Sony’s ability to deliver outstanding products that are for home entertainment, they are the best in the business.
Next Sony product to get is a PS5 for sure!
I love that Sony is a long time player in the electronics business – I can still remember my walkman! Would love to have a pair of the noise cancelling ear buds!
I love Sony’s guarantee high quality and entertainment technology. I would like to add a pair of Sony SRS-XB43 speakers to my new home right now as the old ones are not working properly.
Love Sony’s reliability and would like to add Sony speakers to my house.
I really love the quality of Sony products. I’d love to add a PS5 to my home.
I love Sony’s quality and would like to add a Sony 4K Smart TV to my home.
I really love the quality of Sony products. I’d love to add a Playstation 5 to my home.
I love the quality of Sony products and I’d love to add a Playstation 5 to my home.
What I LOVE about Sony is that purchasing ANYTHING Sony is a no-brainer, I know the amazing quality and dependability of their products and never hesitate to buy when SONY is the Brand! I’d like to add the Sony SRS-SB43 Extra Bass Waterproof Wireless Speakers to my home because they are compact and durable with a high performance long lasting (24 hour) battery!
Sony has always made high quality products; I would like to add the Sony BRAVIA 55″ 4K UHD HDR OLED Android Smart TV to my home.
this would be a great upgrade from my XB31 speaker!
I had a psp as a kid, I’d like a ps5.
I love Sony’s quality and would add the Sony 75″ 4K UHD HDR LED Android Smart TV to my home.
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