Customer Ratings & Reviews

This is a very nice Bluetooth speaker. I will start out by saying I really thought Sony marketing the Line-Shape Diffuser design would be a gimmick but it turns out that’s it’s best feature. It’s similar to most others in this range sound wise. It definitely is very balanced and I couldn’t detect any distortion even at full volume. The clarity is excellent and the design really does spread out the sound and allows the speaker to be positioned and stable in any position. Bass is adequate for it’s size and portability. They make larger models if you want to thump around. I plan on picking up the SRS-XE300 also for those times where I want something larger with more bump. The case has excellent grip also. It’s a soft plastic and of course there is also a strap. The app is nice to manually adjust the sound and for future software updates but otherwise it really isn’t necessary or anything you will likely use much. I ran it 7 hours and 3/4 volume and it used about 40% battery so Sony’s estimates seem to be right on at 16 hours. I also like that none of the speakers are exposed. Makes for a cool look but more susceptible to damage. This thing looks and feels rock solid. This is a winner but I would recommend purchasing the bigger one if you need more kick. Live life loud out there.

First off, the controlable ring lights are what sold me on this speaker! They are amazing! Paired with the great sound of the Sony XG300, you are your own DJ. It is perfect for listening by the pool, house party, at the beach, or just in your home. The speaker has: USB Type-C device charging, wireless Bluetooth connection, Battery Care Protection, and Robust IP67 Waterproof and Dustproof protection. 25 hours of battery life on a single charge! Upon unboxing the Sony XG300 Portable X-Series Bluetooth Speaker it was basically ready to pair with my phone or computer. I downloaded Sony's Music Center and Fiestable apps from the Google App Store. The Music Center app is used to link to your favorite music, like Amazon music, Spotify, YT music etc. You can also open the Fiestable in this app. The Fiestable app is used for DJ Control, Party Lights, Voice control and many other features. I also love how the end of the speakers thump to the music. This Sony XG300 is a top of the line speaker and compatible with other top rated speakers! Highly recommend!

This is my third Sony portable Bluetooth speaker, and I am always impressed. I got a slightly larger version than my previous one. This does come with a rubber type grip so you have hold it when wet or when your hands are greasy from sunscreen etc. I did not throw this in the water, but I believe Sony when they say it is IP67. There is a flap on the back for the power cord, close this of course. Sony suggests their Music Center app and Fiestable. If you have multiples of these you will need the app to sync them. If you have older versions, they will not sync even with the app. If you just have 1 speaker, you can probably skip the apps. I could just sync mine like I would any Bluetooth speaker.There are no longer LED lights to sync to the music. The sound is very good, I liked the bass. It was not overkill. You can direct the sound, lay the speaker flat or have it stand upright. I tossed it in my backpack and took it to the park. It was pretty good and people liked it. It is large but not too heavy to carry around.

As someone who has had a lot of experience with Sony products across the technology board, including many speakers, headphones, and AVRs, I have to admit, my expectations were not met with the XE200 as far as sound quality OUT OF THE BOX. I say out of the box, because with a little tweaking and knowledge, you can get a better quality, albeit not up to my personal standards but plug and play is barely good. That said, it’s important to remember what this speaker is; the entry level of a series with a rugged, portable, IP67 party speaker design. This isn’t marketed as your high quality full range home speaker, (Sony makes those too and I highly recommend them!) but this speaker is aimed at being a quick grab, easy set up and long lasting pool/beach side speaker. And it’s worth noting it does that very well. The IP67 rating means water or dust doesn’t stand a chance and you can enjoy music on the go in almost any environment. With a very easy pairing setup, you are technically ready to go. But this is where I start to nitpick and have some issues. SETUP The fact that it is advertised and easy on the go means most people won’t bother to do any fine tuning and therefore won’t get the best quality of audio. I myself was actually about to write a more critical review before I realized the Sony app Sony suggests you use IS actually useful. Once I was able to make some EQ adjustments and quality control options, I did notice a better overall sound. However, I still could hear the issues I noticed out of the box. SOUND The sound quality is just too muddy for my taste. Again, some EQ adjustments help here, but overall it sounds like a small speaker they tried hard to get as much low end out of that they could, resulting in a muddy mid range and lack of clarity. One other way to combat this is to actually turn it up, helping the smaller speakers to crank out the mids and highs more and balance out the sound. But it doesn’t change the fact that I opened a Sony branded speaker and had a very specific Sony quality in mind and was disappointed with what I heard. I actually walked away from it for a day because it was so disappointing. But then I saw Sony’s suggestion to use the app and take more control of the sound and it got me past buyers remorse and closer to “this will work in a pinch.” And like I said, I think that’s Sony’s goal here; for a little cheaper price, you can get a darn good speaker, built for any occasion; but it won’t blow away a picky audio ear. (check out their larger XG300 for some serious upgrade in quality …and price) Another note on audio quality that’s a bit odd to me, the speaker is very directional. I assumed it was designed to be placed in a corner of a room and have equal quality sound throughout, but it is definitely most clear sounding right in front but gets more muddy to the sides. This is more noticeable listening up close, if you turn it up and place it in a corner and step back, it does fill the room pretty equal, but that also means don’t expect this to be a great speaker at low levels and close proximity to the listener. OVERALL In the end, like any audio device, my opinion is subjective based on how I prefer my audio to sound. If you really want to know, head to a local best buy and give it a demo listen to know for sure its the quality for you. What I CAN say in this review is that it is very strong build quality, has a convenient carrying strap, easy to set up, an accompanying app that actually is useful, and IP67 rating to last in the elements and battery life to keep the party going. What it lacks in audio quality it gains in build quality. No matter what you’re looking for, Sony has the right one for you, hit up a best buy and give them all a listen. As far as this speaker goes, I would recommend it to my friends I know don’t have as trained an ear as me, but I would not recommend it to friends I know have audio demands like me. In the end, I’m still happy with the speaker and will love using it while working outside or in the garage.

If you like listening to music for hours, this is the speaker for you. Great base and sound quality. Also, good battery life. My favorite part about this speaker is that it gives you about a 30 minute warning before the battery dies, so you can finish listening to your favorite without it randomly dying on you or finish that last task. The handle size allows for a nice grip , like you are toting an old stereo. It can supply sound to an entire apartment ( small trailer) or a large master bedroom. The lights coming from the speakers are a nice touch and make you feel like you are in the middle of a party. However, I think you can turn them off but they are pretty subtle.

## Design The Sony SRS-XE200 speaker has a new, unique design where it is not obvious where the actual speakers are located. Instead, Sony is using a new “line-shape diffuser” on this speaker which helps distribute the sound more evenly around the speaker. The speaker has a modern design with a mostly plastic exterior and some fabric accents behind it, that for some reason makes me think of the Cybertruck when I see it. Aside from some small LED indicator lights, there are no “party lights” on the XE200 as compared to something like Sony’s SRS-XB32. There is a carrying strap attached to the speaker that is almost too long as it sometimes gets in the way of setting the speaker down on a flat surface. Towards the back of the speaker, you’ll find the power button, Bluetooth button, play/pause button, volume buttons, battery status button, and (not found on many Bluetooth speaker) a dedicated mute button for the microphone. The USB-C charging port can be found under the flap on the back of the speaker. ## Performance Coming from the Sony SRS-XB32 speaker, I did notice that the bass is not as strong on the XE200 out of the box. However, you can increase (or decrease) the bass (or mids or treble) through the equalizer in Sony’s Music Center app, but there is no dedicated “bass boost” function. Still, sound quality is great and the speaker gets loud enough to fill a medium to large-ish sized room, making it great for indoor or outdoor social gatherings. The new Line-Shape Diffuser does indeed help distribute the sound from the speaker to not only directly in front of the speaker, but to the sides of the speaker as well. So you don’t need to be sitting exactly in front of the speaker to get the best sound. ## Features Line-Shape Diffuser: Looking at the speaker, you’ll see a narrow fabric area on the front between larger plastic panels. If you’re like me, you would think this would limit the sound coming out of the speaker, but it instead helps spread the sound out to about 60-70 degrees on either side. Battery Care feature: This isn’t on by default, but in Sony’s Music Center app, you can enable the Battery Care feature to limit charging to about 90%. This helps prolong the lifespan of the speaker’s battery because, like our smartphones, we should not keep lithium batteries charged to 100% all of the time. You can, of course, disable this feature if you do indeed want the battery at 100% for a long camping trip, for example. IP67 water and dust resistance: This speaker is ideal for travel or using pool-side with its IP67 rating, so you don’t need to worry about splashes, sand, or dust (just make sure to keep the charging port closed tightly). Echo Canceling microphone: You can also use this speaker for work calls as it has an echo canceling microphone. In testing the speaker in an empty room by recording myself, I did indeed notice that the speaker seemed to eliminate any echo from my voice as long as I was facing the front of the speaker directly. ## Battery Life The speaker can achieve up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge, and uses a common USB-C cable for recharging. A quick 10 minute charge can get you just over an hour of playback time when time is of the essence. As noted above, you can enable the Battery Care feature in the Sony Music Center app to help prolong the lifespan ## Summary The Sony SRS-XE200 speaker is an ideal outdoor musical companion thanks to its great sound quality and IP67 water and dust resistance. The speaker can also be used as a speakerphone for work calls with its echo canceling microphone.

Sony's new SRS-XG300 Portable BLUETOOTH speaker was everything I expected and more. I've owned a few SONY portable speakers, and they all have excellent sound quality- but this one sounded even better. The speaker filled a good-sized room (200-300? square feet) with loud, clear, and deep bass sound. (By clear, I mean at maximum volume I noticed no distortion in the sound). Every song I played sounded decent on this speaker, whereas some other speakers I've tried only sound good with certain types of sound. The speaker is a little on the heavier side, but it's not inconvenient to carry and you won't typically hold onto it while listening. Its carry handle almost made me want to take it on one of my exercise walks around town, but then I had second thoughts when I realized not all the neighbors would appreciate the sound coming from it. The Waterproof/Dustproof thing should help extend the life of your speaker, I wouldn't have any reason to throw it in a pool for example, but I could see myself using it (Or accidentally leaving it) out in the rain. I could imagine if you had a pool deck, the speaker could fall in the water, and this speaker would have a better chance of surviving that. I've seen a lot of speakers (SONY and Other Brands) now have color changing lights that try to move with the music, these ones aren't so "in your face" like some other speakers. These lights are off on the far edges and looking at the speaker head-on you don't see them. They look best in a dark room or at night. The SONY Music Center app allows some control over the lighting settings. Reading some of the included documentation, I noticed this is one of the first portable speakers like this that I've seen including a microphone for making calls. I did try it and it worked well, though I wasn't sure it sounded as clear as (for example) a Bluetooth headset with dedicated mic. But the fact that you could take calls is a big plus. I can see myself using this feature, notably when calls come in while I'm listening to music outdoors. The Battery life of 25 hours is terrific, I'll never use that in one sitting, however the idea that I can usually not have to worry about whether I charged it recently is a plus. An even bigger plus is 10 minutes of charge gets about 70 minutes of usage (I'm certain volume level for example might affect actual battery life). Even better, if the battery is low, it seems to function while plugged in (and USB-C Chargers are easy to find) - though not closing off the charging ports may affect water resistance. The USB-A port on the back will let me keep my phone (which may be powering the music) charged and near the speaker for as long as the speaker has power.

When I read the specs, I thought I'd found the perfect outdoor party speaker. 2 Tweeters, 2 mid-range X-balanced drivers and 2 passive radiators. It is a reasonable package, weighting in at 6.96 lbs. Don't get me wrong this speaker sounds great, turned all the way up the sound is crisp, un-muddled and decent bass; even without Mega bass. As soon as I got it I took it out to my pool. And played Boston's first album. The sound I was expecting to hear was there, but not like I was hoping for. There was no perceivable stereo separation. I was expecting to hear sounds from the right and left. The sounds were full and crisp with some low end presence, considering I was in a large outdoor space. I moved from left to right while the speaker was playing and I heard good consistent sound but not stereo. I moved to the other side of the pool, about 20' from the speaker, which was on a table about 2' off the ground. The sound was very good, turned up all the way there was no distortion, good. I engaged the mega bass and it did more than kick-up the bass, it modified the mid-range so the more booming bass was.... smoother; but honestly outdoors I don't think it "helped" the sound. I'm pretty sure in a enclosed space it would have a better effect (more on this later). Except for now realizing this speaker had dual drivers, but was a mono speaker, I did more listening. Foreplay-Long Time breezed in but the L/R separation had the initial low vocals getting somewhat lost. As the beat built, it was pleasant, easy to listen to, but at the transition to Long time I was again struggling to hear some of the subtleties. I attribute this to the complex R/L stereo mix of this track/album. The more I listened, and looked at the Sony Music Center app, the more I hoped to find the missing "Stereo" option. After further reading the only way to get Stereo is to connect 2 X-Series speakers. They also have a mode called Party-Connect that allows up to 100 X-Series speakers to be synchronized together - sounds interesting, if these Sony Speakers REALLY catch on (but in Party mode you again loose Stereo functionality). This speaker looks like a roll of paper towels that's been squeezed in the middle. Passive radiators are on each end of the speaker with LED lights surrounding the passive radiators. Even at night the led lights are pretty dim, not really illuminating anything. There are many programmable light flashing programs, none are "highly visible". This speaker claims to over 25 hours of playing time, it's chargeable via a USB-C connector, and you can add 7 hours of play time with only a 10 minute charge (and it can play while it's being charged). It also has a USB-A connector that can be used to charge your phone or other devices from the batteries inside the XG-300 (no specifications on the battery size, or amp size). One other neat feature it has is a microphone with echo-cancelation so you can take an incoming call on your phone and talk hands free (music is muted, when the call is answered). This worked very well, I could hear my caller clearly and they said I sounded very clear, they could not tell I was outside (well when the birds were quite)). I took the speaker inside to my family room (16x30). I listened to Pink Floyd Animals, the speaker had filled the room fairly well once it was off the floor. I again prefered the Mega-bass disabled, with Clear Audio enabled (there is also a Custom EQ, that allows you to set Bass, Mid and High emphasis) - I thought the Clear Audio did a good job on it's own. There are DJ effect settings and Bluetooth Quality connection setting in the Music Center App. The music center app allows you to access may popular streaming apps from it's control panel (a nice shortcut, but it missing SiriusXM, but Sirius can still output to the connected BT speaker). And you can set battery optimization options. There is another app called Fiestable than can customise sound or be used by multiple people/phones. The speaker does not have a USB input port to support a USB stick/disk as the previous version of this speaker had, but I'm sure that this has to do with the IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. I have to say I like this speaker, BUT it does not have all the functionality that my 80's boom box had, I really think it's too bad that it does not support stereo output on it's own. I think they missed a real opportunity. I can understand two small speakers needing to be paired for stereo output, but this speaker is plenty large (with multiple drivers) to have decent stereo separation. I have smaller smart speakers that support stereo output.

The Sony SRS-XE200 Portable Wireless Speaker is the smallest version of Sony’s new line of portable speakers. This one is about 9” tall, 3” wide, and 3” deep. It’s pretty lightweight and can accompany you just about anywhere. That’s aided by the strap attached to it. It’s pretty nice because you can cinch it up to make sure it stays on your wrist or wherever you want to anchor it. From a design perspective, the charcoal gray coloring is sharp and the combination of mesh and rubber adds to it. That combination is not only for appearance as it also plays a role in the new speaker design and audio quality. It’s called a Line-Shape Diffuser and it’s supposed to push the audio out farther and wider for all to enjoy. I can say that I was slightly disappointed out of the box because I thought it was lacking compared to previous Sony models that I own. However, that’s not to say it’s awful either. It definitely carried throughout the room and even down the hallway. I just thought the sound was lacking. That’s where the Music Center App came to my rescue. Coupling that with the speaker, I was really able to thoroughly enjoy what I was listening to. From the calling side, I didn’t experience any issues there either. My callers were able to hear me well and I could hear them clearly. What more could you ask for? One thing that I am looking forward to doing is picking up another to do the Party Connect. I really like that they are allowing us to connect to multiple units to really ramp things up. This was on previous models and I am a big fan of it. From a simpler connectivity standpoint, I found it super easy to connect the SRS-XE200 to my phone and smart devices. I didn’t have any issues at all and certainly appreciate that. The Bluetooth and Google Fast Pair connections helped out greatly there. Lastly, the Sony SRS-XE200 feels like it was built to be easy to work with while being built to last. The control panel is nice, big, and convenient. The charging area is covered to keep things water and dust free. The unit itself is noted as going through extensive shock testing. It’s also built with sustainable efforts and I applaud Sony for that. Ultimately, I think this is a winning speaker once you have it set up with the Music Center app. I look forward to using it for years to come.

I’ve been using the Sony XE2000 for a few weeks now, and it has genuinely exceeded my expectations. For its compact size, the sound quality is surprisingly rich and powerful—clear vocals, punchy bass, and no noticeable distortion even at high volumes. The 360 Reality Audio and X-Balanced Speaker Unit make music feel immersive, especially when used in smaller rooms or outdoor settings. Build-wise, it's sturdy, lightweight, and easy to carry around. The IP67 rating for water and dust resistance makes it ideal for poolside or beach use. Plus, battery life is excellent—easily lasts 15–16 hours on a moderate volume setting, and the quick charge feature is a lifesaver. Bluetooth connectivity is seamless, and the Party Connect feature works flawlessly if you have other Sony speakers.

Sony brings some impressive, room filling sound in this medium sized portable speaker. Out of the box it works wonderfully but the lows are something left to be desired. Some tweaking with the EQ in Sony’s Music Center app certainly helps but I feel the best use for this speaker is without trying to drive lower notes too much. Although, I suspect that with some breaking in time the drivers will sound better. Regardless of what you are playing, this speaker can fill a room with high-quality low-level sound. The rugged outer shell provides an excellent grip on the unit. Taking it from my desk as a desktop speaker/intercom for meetings to my backyard to either continue a meeting or just to listen to music or news is flawless. And I don’t need to worry about it getting wet from a sprinkler or a hose while I’m out there with its impressive IP67 waterproof rating. Said rating allows for submersion of this speaker under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. I don’t recommend testing this, but it is nice to know just how much water it can take on without getting damaged. That is well within the operating environment I plan to use this in.

I love it and it was delivered quickly. I'm normally a JBL girl but I do like this unit. I have a JBL Xtreme and they are comparable in volume and performance, but this Sony is more lightweight. The handle retracts so that's a nice touch. I played it on the beach 8 hours straight and it held up well. The picture is next to a 12 oz can for size.

Experience music like never before, wherever you go, with the Sony XE200 Portable Waterproof and Dustproof Bluetooth Speaker. Designed for adventure and built to withstand the elements, this speaker delivers powerful sound and unbeatable durability in a compact, portable package. Let's start with its rugged design. Engineered to be waterproof and dustproof, the XE200 is ready to accompany you on all your outdoor adventures, whether you're hiking, camping, or lounging by the pool. Rain or shine, this speaker can handle it all, ensuring that your music never skips a beat, no matter where life takes you. But don't let its compact size fool you – the XE200 packs a punch when it comes to sound. Featuring advanced audio technology and dual passive radiators, this speaker delivers rich, immersive sound with deep bass and crystal-clear highs. Whether you're listening to your favorite playlists, streaming podcasts, or taking calls, every audio experience is elevated to new heights with the XE200. And thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity, you can easily pair your smartphone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices with the XE200, allowing you to stream music wirelessly from anywhere within range. Plus, with its long-lasting battery life, you can enjoy hours of uninterrupted playback on a single charge, so the music never has to stop. But the XE200 isn't just for listening to music – it also doubles as a speakerphone, allowing you to take hands-free calls with ease. Whether you're catching up with friends or participating in conference calls, the built-in microphone ensures clear, distortion-free voice quality, so you can communicate effortlessly, even in noisy environments. In conclusion, the Sony XE200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is the perfect companion for music lovers on the go. With its rugged design, powerful sound, and versatile features, it's the ultimate solution for bringing your favorite tunes with you wherever life takes you. Say goodbye to bulky, fragile speakers and hello to the freedom and convenience of the Sony XE200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker.

Great sound for the size. The speaker delivers clear audio with solid bass, pairs easily, and has impressive battery life. It’s durable, portable, and works great indoors or outside. Very happy with the purchase.

It is a very well made speaker! Durable, battery lasts a good time but it does not sound too good. Volume is not too loud either! I used it at the beach and while battery lasted, the volume at some point was not loud enough, I didn't want to start a party or anything, but with the waves, people around with other speakers and just the noise around us, I really think this speaker could be louder, also, it is on the bigger side, still very portable! But for the size, I was expecting more battery and volume (also quality). This are not game changers! It is an awesome speaker! I am just telling my experience.

Very nice product I’m so happy Best Buy charge fast

This is a very impressive speaker. Sound is surprisingly great in such a tiny package. Some cool things I like. Well for one the talk of the line shape diffuser, it is widely known to be used in professional concerts and I’m no music expert but the sound that comes out of this thing is surprising and very balanced. Both bass and tremble sound great. Distortion free. Battery: well it comes with a usb-C to charge and promised up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge although I have not tested battery life. I will say that the USB-C did charge this thing super fast. Portable: very light and has a strap or stray for carrying. This thing feels extremely durable and it can take a beating. It has a nice color to it matte black with some dark grey coloration on the speakers. IP67 water dust and shock proof which again adds some value to some that might beat up their toys. If you are gonna use this for an online meeting it has echo challenging technology which from my understanding will help not cut each other off. I do plan on using it for some zoom meetings (iPhone paired with the XE200. Just a very good sounding product

Nice simple packaging, this is an open, charge, Bluetooth connect (easy connection), download the Sony Music app, and you have music and a connection to your phone calls! Great looking speaker with a nice retractable handle on the top. The SRS-XG300 is heavy and appears to be very well built. A charging port, USB port, and an audio in port, are located on the back of the speaker, nicely concealed and protected with a solid rubber type cap. A battery check button and light button are also located inside the cap. The Sony SRS-XG300 started out poorly, not sure why. Sound quality started out with a muffled sound and a slight distortion. I moved the speaker to a new location and the next attempts at listening to music were excellent. Sound quality was/is incredible, very clear and clean crisp sound. The base is solid both with and without the MEGA BASE activated. Low volume is exceptional however on high volume I noticed a slight distortion with the high notes. I returned the speaker to the original place I first attempted to play music and the speaker functioned with great sound. Not sure what the start-up issue was, possible interference from other devices in the kitchen. The reference guide to the Sony SRS-XG300 states not to leave the unit in an extremely cold or hot environment and displays a range of 41 degrees F – 95 degrees F. With our temperatures exceeding 95 degrees F daily it will be hard to use the speaker outside. Lights, the speaker has a ring of light located on either end of the speaker and they can be turned on or off using the Sony Music Center app or the button located in the back speaker panel. Not sure what I think of the lights. Using the app, you have multiple settings for the lights however I did not find the functionality of the lights in sync with the music. And most of the setting are accent lighting which may be nice in a darker setting. Not sure that I care for the phone connection with the Sony SRS-XG300. If you’re sitting alone and listening to music, it’s OK. I received a call and I had to turn the volume up a great deal higher to hear the caller and at the end of the call I had to quickly turn the volume down when the speaker automatically resumed with the music. If you have your phone set for notifications or alerts you may have an issue with the volume. If you’re listening to music and you receive a phone notification, you’ll hear a slight momentary change in the speaker volume. At a low speaker volume, you may not notice the speaker volume change. You can toggle the phone call feature on or off, in your Bluetooth settings on your phone. The SRS-XG300 has a DJ Effect you can play with to adjust an Isolator or Flanger sound. Not something I’ll use but might be fun for someone else. You also have a good range of options to adjust the sound to your liking. I connected the Sony SRS-XG300 to an Amazon Echo so I could pick the music and adjust the volume with my voice through the Echo device however the volume was compromised severely, and I chose to unpair them. For the price the Sony SRS-XG300 is an excellent choice.

I enjoy listening to music, usually with headphones, but sometimes on a speaker as well. I’m still rocking a bluetooth speaker from 2017, so when I got a chance to review the new Sony SRS-XE300 I got pretty excited. Keep reading to see my thoughts on it! Appearance: The XE300 looks kind of like a monolith. Yeah, the gray color I received it in makes it even a little more boring than it already looks, but let’s just say that this speaker isn’t going to turn any heads. There are no RGB lights or any other standout features, but it’s not exactly ugly either. Its sharp lines definitely make it look futuristic and I think it’ll blend in with just about any decor. Build Quality: Weighing about 3lbs, this speaker is almost twice as heavy as my last bluetooth speaker and built really solidly. I absolutely love how substantial it feels. The outer layer is a type of waterproof plastic and rubber. The speaker is IP67 rated for dust and is also waterproof. Sony has also drop tested the unit and says it’s really rugged. I will not be throwing my speaker on the floor voluntarily, so I’m going to take Sony’s word on this one. Sound/Microphone: This mid-size speaker pumps out some fantastic sound. Sony advertises that the XE-300 has a line-shape diffuser, X-Balanced speakers and dual passive radiators. So, what does that all mean you might ask? I have no idea, but what I can tell you is that the unit pumps out some very accurate and solid sound. This is not a 360 degree unit though, the sound definitely emits from the front of the unit only as that’s where the speakers are situated. I have a decent sized yard and it filled the entire backyard with my tunes. I didn’t notice any treble distortion when playing Rage Against the Machine or any weirdness with the bass when listening to the new Kendrik Lamar album. The sound at max isn’t quite as loud as I’d like it to be, but my hearing isn’t the best. This speaker will definitely fill most homes and backyards very well, but a big party might drown the music out and I would suggest a bigger speaker for large gatherings. Placing a call was easy and the other end said I sounded fine. Sony advertises that the unit has a noise canceling mic, which is a great addition in case you do need to take a call with this speaker. I’m not sure how many people would actually be using this unit in this way, but I had to test it out of curiosity. Connectivity/Ease of Use: Connecting to bluetooth works just like any other device you’ve ever connected to your phone or tablet. Sony does have its Music Center app that you can download in order to fine tune some of the speaker’s settings and equalizer, but you can totally use the speaker without ever downloading the app. The device supports 2 devices being paired at the same time, which is great as my wife and I don’t have to repair every time we want to use the device with our own phones. The app does allow you to configure some advanced sound settings and battery settings, but overall there’s nothing stopping you from using the unit without the app. You can adjust the volume, mic and change the battery mode right on the device itself. There is a stamina mode that adjusts settings to maximize battery life and a mode you can set on the app that stops the battery from charging to 100% in order to preserve the health of your battery as well. USB-C connectivity is nice as most of my devices are now using this as a standard. Finding new devices still using micro-USB is disappointing, so I’m glad Sony didn’t go that route. One complaint is that for a relatively expensive speaker that advertises the ability to quick-charge, you do not receive a quick charger in the box. This omission is unacceptable in my opinion because of its price. You do receive a USB-A to USB-C cable, but it’s up to you to find a charger that supports quick charging to take advantage of this advertised feature. Overall Impressions: Listening to music on the SRS-XE300 is a joy. It may not turn heads visually, but will definitely perk up some ears with its sound. You’re getting premium quality sound that will fill the majority of spaces with this speaker and I don’t think anyone will be disappointed with that. My only gripe is that Sony doesn’t include an actual charger with this premium unit that advertises quick-charging as a selling point.

Wasn’t up to par like the others. The XS500 is the best byfar