Customer Ratings & Reviews

I've owned a sony xb40 and compare to the xb501, the xb501 is way... Punchier and loud , no distortion, great sound. I dont really use the google assistant in my opinion I dont like the idea to link up with wi fi when first time using it, i just wish it was more practical like the other xb40.. but... I recommend it if looking for a punchy bass and loud speaker. I have not yet tried to pair it with the other xb speakers. If anyone have tried and it.works.let me know thanks.

This speaker is very cool with the lights and it can get very loud and the extra bass is amazing.

This Sony XB501G Extra Bass Goggle Assistant Bluetooth Speaker transforms me into a Party-DJ Animal. With speaker lights and flashing strobes I can sync the music beat and rhythm to whatever genre of music I so choose. It has a full-bodied, beefy bass, especially when the 'Extra Bass' (Party Booster) is activated through the Sony Music Center App. Through the Sony App I can customize various, multi-dimensional sound and lighting effects, which creates a personal 'club atmosphere' in my very own home. The Grand Kids thoroughly enjoy it. WooHoo! After two music-filled weeks of enjoying, using, and 'learning' this speaker I find it is capable of handling indoor and, or, outdoor spaces equally well with dynamic acoustics and FUNtastic lighting effects. It is designed to be positioned at 'ear-level' for optimum sound enjoyment. That is why the Sony Engineers installed a tripod mounting hole on the base of this speaker. WoW! Here is what I love about this speaker: * Sound - The sound reproduction of the Sony XB501G focuses on the mid-ranges, and is spirited at higher tones, and crisp at clear voice, especially when the speaker's 'Live Sound' button is 'ON. It has a full-bodied, rich bass through the Sony Music Center App Preset, 'Extra Bass'. The extra bass feature brings it alive with depth and adds a deep punch to your music. The two channel stereo separation is also very evident thanks to the Sony Engineers designing an angle-mount of the two satellite speakers. The angled, speaker sound covers a much wider area, which amplifies the channel separation and treats your ears to robust, multi-dimensional, listening pleasure. YooHoo! * Smart Phone Control of Sound/Lights– I can customize and control my sound and party lighting from my smartphone using the downloaded, Sony Music Center App from the App Store (or Google Play Store). In the 'Sound' mode I can use choose any one of these Presets, Extra Bass, Live Sound or Standard. Or, for more rich sound and depth I can customize my EQ settings to my own personal listening enjoyment (See Attached Photo). My Grand Kids love to play with these settings for the Lights; Rave, Chill, Hot, Cool, Strobe, and, or Random Flash Off. The lights definitely add a 'party-atmosphere' other speakers are not capable of. * Google Assistant - Built-in Google Assistant awaits your commands and controls all of your homes smart devices if you so wish. Personally, I am not a big fan of this added feature. However, it does allow syncing of multiple speakers that are Chromecast enabled. Of course, my Grand Kids think this feature is so cool. They can request a particular song, turn the volume up or down, all totally 'hands-free'. I can access Wi-Fi music services through my Google Assistant or BT through my smart phone. How versatile is that? * Long Battery Life - Up to 16 hours of battery life (Without the Lights). Additionally, I can still play this speaker while it is plugged in to an A/C outlet. I prefer to plug it in since the Grand Kids want the lights on constantly because it syncs to their music. And, after all what is a 'party-speaker' without the entertaining multi-colored lights and flashing strobe? On battery power alone with the lights constantly on I estimate about 6 hours of use before this speaker needs charging. * IP65 Rated - Splash-resistant and dustproof too. If caught in the rain – no problem. However, this speaker is not waterproof. It cannot be submerged under water. * Charging – I can use the proprietary, Sony A/C charger (Included) or the USB-C port for charging. However, I found the A/C charger is much faster. I can also use the USB-C port to charge my smart phone. Nice! * Portable & Ruggedly Built – The Sony XB501G Speaker is extremely portable (Weighs Approximately 7 pounds. It has an easy-carrying handle for a firm grip when moving it around. I highly recommend the purchase of this Sony Sony XB501G especially if you like outstanding sound and rich, extra bass, multitude of functions, never ending colorful light displays synced to the music. And, just because my Grand Kids love it so much. The 'Extra Bass' feature blows me away. This speaker is pricey, but well worth the cost.

Overall, this is a great speaker for anyone looking for a portable speaker to play outdoors at a BBQ or poolside (it's not waterproof however). The sound is pretty good, although I don't consider myself an audiophile. Sony markets this as part of their "Extra Bass" line, and although there is definitely a stronger bass presence that most BT portable speakers, it lacks a ported enclosure, so the bass is definitely muted. The party light functionality works fine, although it's a little gimmicky for my taste. The light patterns and colors are somewhat coordinated to the music and there is a button to turn off/disable the lights, which also increases the battery life. Volume and quality of the sound is fairly good, although it does distort a little at higher volumes. It does have Google assistant built in, which made the setup process extremely easy - I had this up and running within 5 minutes thanks to Google's easy setup process - it's the same as setting up any other Google home device - just follow the directions on the app. I'm pleased to see that the speaker has both 2.4Ghz and 5 Ghz wifi compatibility. The google assistant functionality works as expected, although you cannot place calls with this speaker. It only has two mics on the top of the device to listen for the wake up command, and there were a couple of times in my testing that I had to repeat the command in a louder voice because it didn't hear me over the music. The one negative I have is the charging - Sony includes a proprietary DC brick charger to charge the battery and it has a fairly short (6-ft cord). The speaker does have a USB-C jack in the back that you can use to charge the speaker, but it's not as fast as the proprietary DC charger plug in my limited testing. Battery life is rated at 16 hours, and there is a button on the device that will announce the remaining battery life (expressed in a percentage) through the speaker. From my limited testing, you can probably expect to get around 12-14 hours, however there are a lot of variables that will affect the battery life (wifi signal strength, volume, use of the lights). You can use the USB-C port as an output to charge your phone too, although you'll need to supply your own cable. I was not able to tell what the USB-C output is and/or if it's PD compatible (the manual doesn't specify). Overall, this is a great speaker to use to take out into the backyard/patio for BBQs and parties, provided you have a wifi network available to maximize the features with the built-in Google assistant. If you're not going to use this as a portable speaker and/or not interested in the google assistant features, I would say there are much better options at this price point and/or better values available.

Well, it has google assistance integrated but it beats any google device on their playground since this one is equipped with battery so it can go cordless for a while. Installation was very easy. It has a good WiFi so it never had issues keep connected to my home wifi. Sound music is good, clear and strong enough. It has fancy lighting system that is making it different and surely not boring. It is also Bluetooth capable so you can connect to it via Bluetooth too which is very useful. The sound capturing "microphone" is not the best but it is good enough. Battery has a good lasting life (more than enough) for any type of usage. The speaker has also a type-C USB connector that can be handy some times. It is safe to use it outdoor since it has some water (humidity) resistance. Volume level is loud enough. I mean, good to enjoy listening to music without annoying the neighbors... The only thing that is missing is the: CAST TO DEVICE like how chromecast is doing casting audio... Any ways, it is not a deal breaker but it would be nice if available. Regarding the price, I look at it this way: You are getting a Bluetooth cordless speaker + Google Assistant in high quality and capable device (from Sony). So it is not a bad deal at all...

I don’t remember my first Bluetooth speaker, but I do know that since I was introduced to them, I’ve been obsessed. I love having the ability to essentially have a boombox with you everywhere you go. Some speakers are much more advanced than others and can act as charging docks and some even have built-in digital voice assistants like the more recent one I’ve tested, the Sony SRS-XB501G Wireless Speaker. The packaging of the speaker was well designed. It’s brightly colored and represents the product well. Some basic details are included on the box and there are quite a bit of styrofoam pieces made to form around the speaker. The speaker is shipped with a power cable and manuals. It’s a fairly self-contained system and very easily transported. Setting up the speaker is very easy, but it does require that you set up the Google Assistant before you use the other features of the speaker like connecting to it via Bluetooth. I found this to be a little off-putting because I’d like to have been able to just connect via Bluetooth without the hassle of connecting the speaker to my Google account. I like having that option, but I think that the speaker’s standard features should be autonomous from the Google Assistant. (Instructions read: After the Wi-Fi setup is complete, press and hold the (BLUETOOTH)/ PAIRING button for about 3 seconds.) Aside from the Google Assistant getting in the way of basic functionality, the Sony SRS-XB501G Wireless Speaker is a great speaker. I love the size of i, especially for group events. It’s really easy to carry from place to place thanks to the hefty handle on the back of the speaker. The buttons on the top of the speaker include the power button, play/pause button, Link indicator, Charge indicator, volume buttons, microphone button, battery button, lighting button, and various other indicator lights. After you complete the initial set-up, the speaker connects automatically when it’s powered on. The sound quality of the speaker is incredible. The EXTRA BASS really makes everything punchy and deep. I listened to several different styles of music and thought it was also improved by pushing it through the Sony Speaker. I also watched some movies and TV shows to get a feel for how the dialogue would come through and found that everything sounded right. The mix was even and no sound effects were lost by using the speaker. In order to get full use of this speaker you have to download not one, but two apps — the Google Home app and the Sony Music Center app. The Google Home app gives you connection to the Google Assistant while the Sony Music Center app gives you control over the fine tuning features of the speaker. I would love to see them condensed into one app. That said, I really like the Sony Music App. You have control of the lighting effects and can actually power down the speaker from the app. This is a great feature to have with this type of speaker. The Sony SRS-XB501G Wireless Speaker is a pricey investment at $300 but worth it since it provides such a high-quality sound and includes a built-in Google Assistant. I do wish that Sony could find a way to include the Google Home app into their Music Center app and I wish they could also find a way to make the Google Assistant feature separate from the other speaker functions. That said, I think the sound quality that the speaker provides outweighs all the unfortunate features that I disagreed with.

I have been using the XB501G for about a week now with about 16 hours total usage. I did not charge it right out of the box and used it for about 2-3 hours before the charge light started blinking. I plugged it in to charge which took around 5-6 hours. I have since used it for over 12 hours over 4 days and the Sony Music Center app is showing 30% left on the battery. Sony says to download the Google Home app for the initial setup of the XB501G so that you can have the Google Assistant setup. You also need to download the Sony Music Center app I mentioned earlier. Having Google Assistant adds convience with the ability to control the speaker functions like volume, play/pause and skip/play previous track. I was also able to connect to my Chromecast and play YouTube videos. The Google Assistant can have an issue with hearing you when the speaker volume is at higher levels. The Sony Music Center app is needed to access the XB501G's settings which are Sound (ClearAudio+ a Sony recommended sound setting and sound mode that offers 3 presets Extra Bass, Live Sound and Standard) I like the sound from the XB501G with the Extra Bass setting the most as you get that Extra Bass without losing any Mids or Highs. The Live Sound setting does add a Live Sound to most songs but while cool I prefer the Extra Bass setting. The ClearAudio+ setting works well to give a good balanced sound. Other settings include Illumination which lets you control the Light Mode (Rave, Chill, Hot, Cool, Strobe, Random Flash Off and Off) You can only change the light mode from the app as the Light button on the speaker only turns the Light On or Off which is a bit of a bummer. Another bummer is that the Lights do not react to the music but are just programmed patterns. I found myself turning the lights off more than on. The Power Option setting just tells you the percentage of battery power left. And the System setting tells you the software version. And you can control volume via the app, your voice or the buttons on the speaker. The XB501G provides great sound playing music with Crisp Highs and Mids and Very Good Bass (not window shaking but you don't feel like your missing any bass on most music) The speaker is a bit bulkier then most portable speakers I have seen but the built in handle makes carrying it easy and it feels well built. You can also use a tripod to hold the speaker, just be sure it has a long enough screw to securely hold the speaker as it is a bit heavy. My camera tripods mount was not sturdy enough for me to want to use it in any situation it might get bumped. Overall I am impressed by the Sony XB501G's sound and Google Assistant abilities. I would have liked the lights to be able to react to music rather then just be preprogrammed patterns. Maybe they will add this funtion with a future software update? Add this function and it would be 5 *

PROs: - Surprisingly robust and full-bodied sound from diminutive form-factor--sound remained clear and distortion-free even at high listening volumes (i.e. beach, poolside, etc.) - Sony really knows a thing or two about bass enhancement as the speaker manages to achieve some impressive thump without totally drowning out vocals/other instruments - LIGHTS, LIGHTS, LIGHTS! Okay, I totally underestimated the cool/fun factor here--between the informative LEDs that tell you Google Assistant is listening to the perimeter LEDs that change with the music, we ended up enjoying the show far more than we expected to--and all the kids want one in their room now! - Ruggedized finish means you don't have to be paranoid about setting it down on rocks, bricks, or anything other than a pristine tabletop or shelf and worry about how it will look when you're through--it actually FEELS like it's made to work outdoors and comes off accordingly - Built-in Google Assistant amps up the functionality beyond a simple Bluetooth speaker--like any other voice assistants, the family actually enjoyed the opportunity to "Hey Google" a universe of queries any time the mood struck them - Simple and uncluttered physical interface--actual buttons for things like battery status, Bluetooth pairing, microphone muting (for the privacy buffs out there who don't want Google eavesdropping on everyday conversations), volume and Bluetooth playback controls...it gives you everything you need at arm's reach without overwhelming you with obscure buttons/functions you would otherwise rarely use - Nearly perfect ergonomics--built-in carrying handle makes transport and placement easy with just a single hand--outstanding engineering despite the slightly large build/heft - No appreciable impact on sound output/quality going from battery to A/C power...don't feel sheepish about cranking it up even unplugged! CONs: - The "Live" button feels somewhat gimmicky and situational so YMMV. Yes, when pressed, it can create a greater sense of spaciousness which worked in some settings (i.e. if you want your lively poolside jams to sound even livelier); but for things like audio-books or treble-heavy music, it also made the sound somewhat hollow and tinny. It's easy to see why this feature was added/provided, but it's nice that the effect can be defeated easily with a single button press - A/C and USB-C connectors are hidden behind what seems like an unnecessarily large tethered port cover that's captive by a rubberized retaining band--a hinged door that snaps closed would have been more reassuring - Not a drawback so much as a "Gee, I didn't expect that would happen"...but once paired as a Bluetooth speaker, we had more than one occasion of dueling digital assistants...be mindful that "Hey Google" also allows for some "Alexa...do XXXX" activity (or for other similar digital assistants to come running) once the unit is listening to the mic input - This is a smart product, but not an autonomous one--you'll need to install/configure at least one phone/tablet app (Google Home), maybe two (Sony Music Center), or even three (Google Play) to get the full functionality the Sony designers seems to have intended for this device. Of course, as a Bluetooth speaker/mic, you can extend functionality even further with dozens of other apps (iHeartRadio, Youtube, Netflix, etc.), but it definitely takes more than Bluetooth speaker pairing alone to start seeing some real return/value on the premium price tag As a Bluetooth speaker, the sound quality, build quality, and pleasing physical design/ergonomics of this unit already make it a reasonable purchase at the asking price; but the party lights, Google Assistant, and other streaming apps integration elevate this speaker to a level I wasn't expecting. Sure, it's an indulgence--few of us really NEED a portable party light/speaker array that can also answer random questions and execute random tasks--but it's a fun one nonetheless, and one that brought our family together in ways I wasn't expecting (who knew that thumping my chest to my daughter's favorite song would lead us to gather around this speaker just to find out when the first King Kong movie was produced?). Ultimately the Google Assistant features were far more fun and compelling for our family than I figured they would be--they shaped not only what we listened to, but how we listened and shared the experience. Google Home integration worked well though it honestly rarely occurred to me to control the room lights from the speaker given that its primary design cues seem geared around spontaneity and portability (though this speaker would be equally at home living on someone's media shelf or next to a PC). I haven't pushed the claimed 16-hour battery life to its limit yet, but the Sony easily managed all day through an audiobook while still maintaining a healthy charge...it should easily outlast most afternoon/evening parties and pool/beach-side outings before needing any juice from a wall charger. It would have been nice to control the EQ from either the unit itself, or within one of the other companion apps, rather than having to install yet another app to further customize the sound and lights to my liking...but that's really nit-picking at this point. Overall, this speaker is well-appointed, well-built, and rocks out in the one area that really matters most in a Bluetooth speaker--SOUND...truly a top-tier performer (especially given its size) with a number of unexpectedly welcome features that easily elevate it above the competition...definitely recommended!

Very good speaker, so far the best I tried. Setup was very easy and sound quality is clear but with extra bass. Loud enough and with color changing LED lights it looks very modern and high class. Google assistant which allows voice control is very helpful but I am also missing the remote control, simply for purpose so I can turn on/off device without having to walk to it. Google assistant is great, you can integrate other devices, control all functions of speaker (except powering on/off), check the forecast, news or tell it to play artist or your playlist and more (depending on your subscriptions and services). Crazy good battery life which will last for hours even with lights on. Battery status can be checked by pressing “battery” button and you will get quiet voice information on battery status since there is no display indication for any info. Device it’s also waterproofed and dust resistant so it’s great for all conditions and environments. Sorry but I must deduct 1 star for lack of remote, since I had to get up to power on/off every time I want to listen some music, other than that this is one very good device.. Pros: Stylish Modern Loud Good battery life Google assistant LED lights makes it look good Cons: No remote – it has to powered on/off manually on speaker itself

I love the Sony - SRS-XB501G Wireless Speaker and was surprised by the sound from its size. The sound is big from portable speaker that is 9”x9”x7”. The Sony face is surrounded by LED lights that flash light to the beats of the sound it is playing and can be turned off if not wanted. This speaker easily fill a room with great streaming music. This speaker also integrates with Google’s home assistant and provides streaming music and home automation using the Google assistance. The XB501G also includes Bluetooth connection for streaming music from your Apple or Android devices. The rear has two connections, a charging port and a USB C. The battery life is very good at nearly seven hours. This is a great choice for mobile listening.

This Sony SRS-XB501G scores it all. Simply, if you are looking for wireless, BT, portable and compact light weight speaker, this Sony offers it all! Portability is the game changer here in which it doesn’t have to be plugged in outlet and placed firmly, you can just charge and the move around freely. If you care about dust and water resistance. This speaker has IP65 rating, which means it is water and dust resistant. Google assistant is bulit in for voice commands. The light on the face of the speaker syncs with any music being played and syncs with its beats. Battery life as Sony promises is 16 hours, I have been using this Sony for 3 days not continuously and its still has 30% still logical.

I've had a couple of these types of speakers so far over the last few years. Earlier this year I got one of the XB41 Bluetooth Speakers and it has excellent wide sound as well as lot's of bass in such a small speaker. I wanted to check one of these out as it's a quite a bit larger and has a larger sub built in to it. I believe it is 5.25". The midrange/Tweeter point out at an angle above the Sub. This configuration gives a nice very wide sound stage. The sound is really good as well. I was fairly underwhelmed from the sub as given it's twice the size of what's in the XB41 it doesn't seem to have as much bass. I'm not sure if it's due to the sound profile or another issue but I've tried tweaking it in the Music Center app and it didn't seem to make much of a difference. It could have also been the music though. I tested it with some Soundtracks such as LOTR, I also listened to some EDM, Hip Hop/Rap/R&B, Rock, Metal and so forth. Through none of these did the bass seem to really pick up or be overwhelmingly evident like it was in the XB41. It's possible that using a pair of them would be better in terms of better bass. Again it could have just been my choice of music. The speaker will definitely not disappoint though. I do like that there is place in the bottom of the speaker to put it on a tripod to use in a similar fashion as your typical monitor speakers. Though it's definitely not going to replace a proper monitor such as a Behringer, Peavey etc... Charging can be done 2 ways, either through the USB-C port or through the included charger. The USB-C port can be used to charge a device like an Mobile Phone or perhaps a tablet. The rated run time is 16 hours. This could be underratted though as the XB40 and XB41 that I both tested seem to last forever as I've charged them maybe a couple times in the months I've used them. This does feature illumination like the other models. There aren't many option's like the other models, but there's something that will likely fit everyone, including and off option.

This is the best new Bluetooth speaker to hit the market in 2018. Most Bluetooth speakers either have bass and no voice or they are all vocals and no bass. This speaker nails the bass, mids, and highs and delivers clear and clean sound. It was on sale over the Christmas holiday for 50% off and was a steal. I’ll list the good and bad. Good: - Sounds great at all volume levels included all the way up. The bass is punchy and full but not overpowering. The vocals are always level with the bass. - Google Assistant works great with Google Music and is great for answering questions. Google Assistant works without delay unlike on other Bluetooth speakers where there is a lag. - Battery life is good but depends on how you use the speaker. Playing it at full volume with the light shows drains it twice as fast. At 50%-75% volume I can play the speaker all weekend without charging it. - Splash resistant so you can use it in the bathroom or near the pool without worries. Bad: - Speaker doesn’t automatically connect when you turn on Bluetooth and you have to select it in the settings. It’s annoying but not a deal breaker. - Size might be an issue for some people. This isn’t a speaker that fits in a backpack and it’s not a speaker you want to carry for an extended period of time. Bottomline...this speaker sounds good, has a cool light show, and a good battery life. It’s perfect around the house or outside in the yard.

There are 3 things that make this speaker somewhat unique in its class. 1. This is a 90W speaker with thumping bass and a nice colored light ring that makes it stand out 2. It has Google Assistant built in and thus can be added to a Google cast group. This eliminates the need to use Bluetooth as long as you are within range of a wifi network. Frankly Bluetooth is not an elegant way to play music as your phone needs to be within range and if you get phone calls or message notifications it interrupts the music. With Google cast the music plays directly from the internet to the speaker group and can be controlled by anyone who's connected to the same wireless network! 3. Having a built in 16 hour battery allows this to be used in the backyard or by the pool within range of your wifi router. No need to have a power source! Most speakers with voice assistants need to be powered by an AC outlet so in that sense this speaker differentiates itself! I ended up buying 3!

This speaker looks and sounds great. Great bass and audio quality. Setup was very easy as well, after connecting to the Google Home app, casting Spotify to the speaker was working within seconds. I was also able to easily connect with Bluetooth after with a simple NFC tap. Battery life is also really good, easily lasting all day. If you're looking for a great sounding AND looking portable speaker, look no further. Pros: Sounds great, looks great, lighting effects are very cool, easy setup, responds easily to Google Assistant commands, excellent battery life Cons: A bit heavy for a portable speaker

This speaker was my family’s first experience with an automated assistant type device and I’ll admit, it’s pretty cool. Initial setup was simple. My kids got a kick out of the assistant. My oldest said “Hey Google, tell me a story” and the assistant narrated the Princess and the Pea. I asked about the weather and got a full report. That part is really cool but as for the sound I’m not totally sold. The box says “Extra Bass” on 2 of the 4 sides but I found it lacking. Maybe it’s not fair to expect so much from a small woofer but to paraphrase, Tom Petty sounded fine. OutKast, not so much. I’m no audiophile but I do have a fairly nice home system and the sound from the XB501G was an obvious downgrade. Again, I know I can’t compare apples to oranges but the Sony speaker did not meet my expectations. I put it in the garage while finishing a project and really appreciated the voice commands and the sound was fine for the situation. I suppose the lights on the speaker are a plus in certain situations but I turned them off and can’t see myself using them. If you’re expecting this speaker to be all you need for a raging backyard bash you will be disappointed but for low to mid volume, non-bass heavy music, news, podcast or personal music player use it will do the job nicely.

I actually got to witness this in action at a friend’s home. Ironically, it was due to my speaker giving out in the heat and she had this one which saved our event! I’m a Fitness Instructor and I have been able to tote this to classes I instruct at a pool as opposed to taking one of my larger speakers. I love that it is so compact with a bold sound. The lights add a boost of unexpected surprise for those viewing it which increases the fun factor. My only issue was set up. Not sure if it is absolutely necessary for this to work with your device via installing the Sony app. I mentioned this to my friend and she couldn’t recall but I was able to Bluetooth my phone to her device without any issues. But when I wanted to set mine up, I absolutely HAD to download the app which was nuts since my friend that was over at the time could connect his device without having the app. I was finally able to get it to work but I have to admit, I am still puzzled about that. I have Apple devices and he had an Android device; not sure if that makes a difference or not. Once you get it going, it’s great. When not using this for class, I have it in the guest room in my house. Figured a cool speaker that my guest can enjoy in their leisure during a visit. A bit pricey but I enjoyed my friend’s so much, I felt it was worth it.

Great quality and volume. I have it for 4 years and still works very well.

This speaker has surprised me. The battery life is great. Sound quality is good and it’s loud. Very portable. I have been using at the beach for the past weeks. The google assistant feature is my favorite as it controls my lights and allow to stream for instance Netflix on my tv.

I went looking for a good Bluetooth speaker, not intending to buy a smart speaker. I think I had a Fender speaker in my hands when this square black beauty caught my attention. Where this Sony really shines is in sound quality. Bass, treble, mid-range, it's all there and crystal clear. The Google Assistant features are a nice to have, and she's quite responsive and accurate to song requests in particular. I have mine set up with Spotify, so I can ask her to play just about any song, which is great. Sure, the lights are cute, but I never use them. It's the powerful sound of this speaker that makes it the best.