Customer Ratings & Reviews

Great speaker, the lights are cool, very easy to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth, the sound is great, good volume, bass is great. Music sounds clear and without distortion. I'm happy with the product.

Great Speaker. I got it on sale and was not too sure about what to expect. The speaker is awesome, it can handle large space and fill them with perfect sound without any problems, it also works great for smaller spaces. The base is deep. It pairs up to multiple devices and switching between them is super easy. Battery lasts forever and you can charge your phone or other devices with it. Very well built and looks amazing.

I purchased this speaker for my Can-Am Commander SxS, it fits in my rear window perfectly and the bass and sound is amazing compared to other speakers that I have tried, it is very loud and clear, great price compared to other models this not only sounds great but the features with the app are great, will be purchasing Sony in the future.

Very good for a Bluetooth speaker, only a few areas for improvement. -The sound quality is very good, though it tends to be bass heavy at low volumes and there’s only one audio mode that allows it to be turned back. There’s no equalizer for the Livesound mode and Audioclarity+ is only available with Megabass on. It does have much better midrange than most Bluetooth speakers I’ve listened to. -Livesound does provide a fairly convincing stage depth effect when positioned in front of the listener properly. -It tends to rollover easily on uneven surfaces. -Both apps could use some design and usability improvements, but they both work. -Even with autostandby on, it will remain on and connected to my iPhone indefinitely, even with no audio playing. -The lighting could use more effects and more customizability, and it would be better if it could get brighter when plugged in.

I bought this speaker 2 months ago and since then I’ve noticed a few things. This speaker destroys the lows anything hip hop based or alternative will rock these drivers. But when putting on lynyrd skynyrd I noticed that the guitar wouldn’t come through as much as the kicker on the drum. I found the simply going into the eq on the Sony app fixed this issue. The battery was my main worry as I have had jbl speakers in the past that die quicker then others , but the battery on the Sony XG 300 is the best I’ve had on a Bluetooth speaker so far. Good work Sony!

Small but packs a punch, a clear quality sound with a bass punch. I love the lights you can program to your liking.

WOW! Without a doubt the best portable speaker out-there! Music is so crisp and clear while also packing a punch at loud volumes. The bass boost is so great, as it does not over take the audio at any point. As a BONUS, it was on sale for a great price for what you get.

This speaker is a great speaker for bringing to a party or for personal use or even to just watch a movie or show with. It has good base and volume. Although if bringing to a park I wouldn't really recommend it more for closed spaces than open ones.

Good speaker. Bass is pretty good. Battery life is great. Syncs up very quickly to my devices. It’s a bit bigger than what it seems at first glance but the handle comes in handy. Usually use it on the job

TLDR; IP67 dustproof and waterproof, but if it falls in the pool, get it out! 25 hours life on a single charge using USB-C 5V 3A charger (included) and can charge your own devices with equipped USB-A port. EQ settings can only be adjusted in the Music Center app. Up to two simultaneous Bluetooth connections supported. Can be grouped with other speakers. Conference calls are aided by Echo Canceling technology, aiding in simultaneous talking, promoting more natural conversations. Customizable LED rings on each woofer sync to the beat of the music. Can get very loud without much distortion, yet remains very crisp and clear, which impressed me very much. Bass is tight and punchy, but don’t expect rumbling at the lower frequencies. Setting up the XG300 is very simple on both Android and iOS, and it’s much like any other Bluetooth device pairing done if you’re familiar with the process. It’s even easier on Android as the OS will immediately present you with a connection window, much like the setup found on Apple for its wireless earbuds. Charge time from empty to full is about 5 hours, and you can choose to have the unit charge to “nearly” full to extend the longevity of the battery (done in the Music Center App). When the unit is on, a simple press on the Bluetooth button will begin the pairing process, and you can do this twice. The XG300 supports Bluetooth version 5.2. Controls are very straightforward, with the exception of the missing next/previous track buttons as these two buttons are disguised under the play/pause/answer button. A double press of this button moves on to the next track, and a triple press will move you back to the beginning/previous track, which should be familiar behavior for you. Of course, a single press of this button will play/pause/answer. So, what’s left is the volume up, volume down, Mega Bass, Bluetooth pairing and power buttons. They are tactile, black rubber buttons with white paint, but I fear that overtime the white paint will wear off. Ease of portability is a big selling point of the XG30 with its built-in carrying handle, which I found very welcoming. It’s just one less thing to worry about when transporting this 6 pound hunk of hardware. On the flip side, it would have been nice to be able to attach a shoulder strap that some other brands offer as it frees up one hand when you’re on the move. The built-in handle does keep the speaker looking sleek, but only time will tell how long the rubber handle holds up. Seems sturdy, though. As I mentioned above, two simultaneous Bluetooth connections can be made to the XG300, but if you’ve got an old music device that you’d like to use, there is an available 3.5mm audio port in the back. So bring out your Walkmans and Discmans and rock out! Also worth noting is the two LED rings on either side of the XG300. Honestly, I’ve always found this kind of gimmicky, especially if you’re using this during the daytime. You do have the ability to not only change its flashing style, but also turn them off completely. It’s at night where they do shine, and I do like how they’re not in-your-face like some other brands. They’re subtle, but still very cool to watch move with the rhythm of the beat. Then there is sound quality, which is always a subjective topic with all things sound related. I’ve been cursed with hearing loss from the 90’s trend of two 12” subwoofers that shook the earth and tweeters that emit sounds that even your dog can’t hear. Then with today's technology, I’ve been blessed with the most state-of-the-art hearing aids that give me the ability to hear what is equivalent, if not better, than 20/20 vision. That being said, the XG300 sounds great overall with its strengths across a majority of the frequency band, with the only exception at the lower end. By design, the XG300 is a sealed system, which produces the most clean, punchiest bass to complement the rest of the mid/upper frequencies, but if you’re a basshead, it’s not coming from this, even with Mega Bass on. Casting that aside, the XG300 does not disappoint, and its rich sound can be heard for several meters. Think beach party, pool party, at the park or even in a bike basket taking a cruise. What’s so great is that at even much louder volumes, music is not distorted. I always go to Dr. Dre’s 2001 Instrumental to get a gauge of how well all frequencies play nice with each other, and the XG300 finds ways to mitigate that distortion so you can still hear the rest of the track. As a matter of fact, Sony promotes their ClearAudio+ setting in the Music Center App, which is supposed to be Sony’s preferred EQ, and it really emphasizes those mids/highs. If it’s not for you, you can always change it up in the Custom EQ. I like the ClearAudio+ setting and intend not to change it anytime soon. Lastly, there is the price. At MSRP, there are a lot of contenders fighting for your party time. If low, loud bass is what you’re looking for, you may not be happy with this speaker and there are other offerings that can provide this. If you do care for Sony's high quality sound, a 25 hour battery life and a body that will withstand the elements, the XG300 is a perfect choice. The Sony XG300 Portable Bluetooth Speaker comes with a 1-year Limited Warranty.

Impressed with the sound on this: Very clear sound at high volume. Bass packs a punch. Design: There is some heft to this speaker (Around 6 lb), so it comes with a clever rubber handle that completely retracts when not used. The bazooka shape of the speaker is entirely covered in a nice looking fabric, except on the edges of the tube which has the breathing holes (Passive bass radiator) and lights. I'm no big fan of bright lights on speakers, and here is done in a very subtle way: The lights are not very bright, and disappear when off. They can be turned off from the control app or from a button on the back. It does give a pleasing effect. The speaker is also water and dust proof (IP67). Connections: It has Multipoint Bluetooth and line in (3.5mm), charges with USB-C and includes the USB-C charger. With Multipoint Bluetooth it can connect two devices (Like two phones or a phone and a computer). On the back there is also a line-in (3.5mm) and a USB-A port so one can charge a phone while using the speaker. Mics: It has echo-canceling microphones so it can also be used as a conference speaker. I didn't have many expectations here but it actually sounds very good for phone or computer calls. I even recorded a voicemail to hear how it sounds and the audio is very clear with no echo. Audio quality: I couldn't find exactly which Bluetooth codecs it uses, so I ran the developer tools on the iPhone to find that it supports SBC (Standard), AAC and ALAC. The iPhone Bluetooth process reads: A2DP configured at 44.1 KHz. Codec: AAC-LC, VBR max: 256 kbps. 1 frames * (12+744) bytes = 756 per RTP (max=879) every 23.22 ms. ALAC is Sony's proprietary High bandwidth codes up to 360 kbps. As far as I know it works with Sony phones and Sony TVs, etc. The speakers fire up front, with excellent clarity and plenty of bass. The Sony Music Center app offers an equalizer. There is a 'Mega Bass' button that controls the amount of bass. This is similar to changing the equalizer settings. Another interesting feature is that this supports connecting to other similar speakers for stereo sound (In which you'll want another matching Sony SRS-XG300 speaker) or more speakers for a large party. For multi-speakers they have to be similar Sony speakers, and the manual says that up to 100 (!!!) speakers can be connected. It needs the 'Sony Music Center' app to control this. Battery: In my tests, it lasted the whole party, with plenty of charge to spare… Per the manual, Up to 25 hours at mid-volume with the lights off. 15 Hours with the lights on, and 4 hours at earth-shaking max volume with the lights off. Apps: Sony Music Center: This app is what most other Sony products use, is where one can control the equalizer, firmware upgrades and other power settings. Fiestable: This is the 'party' app that controls the light show and helps pair the speakers and queue songs. Overall it's a great speaker with rich sound and a great design. Not only an excellent party and outdoor speaker but something that one can use through the day with good speakerphone capabilities and line-in as well and multipoint Bluetooth.

Aesthetically, I find the synthetic fabric-textured cylindrical design quite pleasing. It looks premium yet rugged. I appreciate the buttons layout as they are easy to identify. The RGB radiators on the side have nice ambient and party lighting. If that’s not your deal, it can be turned off. The speaker balances well because of the robust rubber footings. Weighing more than 6.5 lbs., this speaker is not exactly as portable as one would expect. However, the very well-thought-out retractable handle addresses this quite effectively. I don’t think I would be carrying it in my hand or even in a bookbag while on a long hike, but to be fair, this speaker seems designed to be taken from place to place and enjoyed once settled down. I worriedly tested the waterproofing by hosing the speaker while it was on, and I am relieved that the IP67 rating was accurate. I must say that it is amusing to see the water bouncing off the fabric and radiators. Featuring Bluetooth 5.2 (great for futureproofing), it pairs easily. In fact, my Android phone immediately recognized it with Fast Pair. I walked around outside and did not experience disconnect issues until well beyond 30 feet. I’ve been using the unit for several hours, and I still only used 40%, which means that the battery 25-hour claim may be correct. Just in case, the speaker can be set to lower power-consumption for longer lasting battery, and I welcome the quick-charge feature via USB-C. In case someone wants to connect without pairing, there’s a convenient 3.5mm jack in the back. Also, there is a USB-A charging port so that your device can last as long as possible. Most importantly, I was impressed by the audio quality of the “non-circular” drivers and tweeters. The speakers can get loud fast. The sweet spot inside was about 30% and 60% outside. Inside, the sound was certainly warm, and bass oriented. However, the bass was tight and had a restrained impact. There was some sub-bass, but it was subtle. The midrange is a bit recessed, but still comes through giving vocals and rhythm instruments body and presence. The tweeters do a great job in defining treble without being harsh or distracting. There is really good channel separation allowing directional cues to be noticeable. Activating “Mega Bass”, I was pleasantly surprised that the bass did not become obnoxious while adding that sub-woofer feel. Outside, the frequencies become a bit less clear, and bass can smudge things a bit. Nevertheless, the sound is still enjoyable and powerful. Keeping it real, most people do not care to listen to speakers critically while enjoying the great outdoors, or at a backyard party. As a bonus, this speaker can be used as a communication device. This means that you can use this speaker on online meetings, personal, and family calls. I tried it and it worked well enough, although the people must be somewhat close and in front of the speaker. Another bonus is the ability to pair several XG300 together and create a parameter, or as a stereo sound system in your entertainment center. It’s quite nifty, but you’d need more than one speaker to take advantage of this and can get expensive. The companion Music Center app is OK. It provides firmware updates, optimize and choose EQ settings, choose music apps, fine-tune power, illumination, etc. There is also the Fiestable app, which adds more options, motion control through the phone, and voice control. It’s kind of cool, but also kind of gimmicky. Yes, this is more on the premium side. But once you turn it on and experience the sound it delivers, it immediately justifies the hefty price in my opinion. Plus, the speaker reminds me of those old-school 90’s boom boxes -minus the tape deck. Wish I had it last 4th of July!

The first thing you notice about the XG300 is how heavy it is. This thing weighs 6 pounds 10 oz and is only 12.5 inches wide but don't let the size fool you - this thing kicks! Bluetooth pairing to my iPhone was as expected, quick and easy. The literature says the XG300 has fast pair - giving a one-tap connection for androids however, it doesn't have the NFC indication on it. There are two apps for Sony speakers: Music Connect and Fiestable. Music Connect gives you basic controls along with sound customizations like bass and equalizer. Fiestable gives you the party connect and DJ features which are pretty cool - adding sounds and scratches to your music simply by shaking your phone and different swipes on your phone's screen. Party connect lets you connect multiple speakers together for larger areas or just more music at your gathering. You can also pair two units together for enhanced stereo sound. But how does it sound? With it’s IP67 rating and solid build, it's clear this speaker is intended for outside, be loud and have kicking bass and it excels at all! As expected, the XG300 sounds best when it’s loud. Of course the bass kicks and the highs are crisp and it is loud enough to be heard over a gas string trimmer. It does a nice job at filling my back yard with sound and can be heard nicely from 100 feet away. Like many previous Sony speakers, the XG300 has Ambient Illumination which is located at each end of the unit. The illumination is customizable and cute but difficult to see in anything but a dark room. Also, the black surrounding absorbs the minimal light - Sony should have used a metallic trip around the bass ports to reflect the light rather than absorb it. I just turn it off to increase the already great battery life. I have several Sony’s with this lighting and it's been underwhelming on all of them. Not a reason to buy this speaker - but a nice touch nonetheless. Speaking of battery life, Ive been using this for several days and havent had to charge it yet. It’s rated for 25 hours and a 10 minute charge will get you another 70 minutes of play time. Charging is done via USB C and there is an included wall wart adapter. There is also a USB A plug to charge your phone as well as a line-in for non-bluetooth input. As I mentioned, the XG300 is IPX67 rated which means it is designed to survive complete immersion should it fall into water as long as the cover over the ports is closed. I did it so you don't have to - yes, it will survive and it floats. See the pictures. I really like the Sony SRS-XG300 and recommend it to anyone looking for a great sounding portable speaker for picnics and parties.

Small, powerful and exceeding what my expectations would be about it. Wow all I can say when my friends ask me to describe it. First, I call this speaker the "little brother" to my other Sony BT Speaker, the SRSXG500. Similar design, yet smaller profile but just as loud and powerful (minus the Mic and Guitar inputs). On a full charge, this beast can last up to 25 hours on a single charge. Box itself contains the speaker, USB-C charger and a small quick start/warranty booklet. As I already own the above mentioned BT speaker also by Sony, I recommend downloading the Sony Music Center app and the optional Fiestable app as well. The Sony app itself is great itself as it shows a lot of info about the speaker, battery level, Library, Settings and the Audio In option if you wish to use it. Also in the settings there are illumination settings if you want to mess with the eye candy RGB rings, 100% customizable EQ for the people like me that have a personal Bass, Mid and Treble preference (this disables Mega Bass obviously) and other miscellaneous things like power off and system info. The speaker is IP67 rated and better at being water resistant and dustproof than it's bigger brother. Just don't forget to always keep the back cover securely closed. I like how the fabric look itself looks and it repels water and dirt quite nicely. Also the carrying handle is flush with the top of the speaker and easily pops up so you can take it wherever you go. BT pairing was as easy as it gets. As soon as I powered it on, the Sony app immediately recognized the XG300 and paired instantly. It grouped with my SRSXG500 to create a chain of speakers to enable stereo surround. The Fiestable app adds a little fun to the party by doing a party playlist, DJ controls, syncing the RGB to create a light show on the speakers and a neat Motion Control option. I love how I can tilt the phone to skip ahead or go back on tracks, rotate left or right to increase/lower volume. Sound quality is amazing. That's it. Go buy one. Highs never got distorted with heavy bass. High to highest lever of bass never sounded like a muffled mess. Music sounded like music. Does it pass the Crab Rave test? With flying colors. Does classical sound like your in a concert hall? You know it (yes I play the Violin and Cello). Every type of music I threw at it, it took it and spit awesomeness back into my earholes. This feature rich BT speaker is a hit in my book. I would recommend to anyone wanting a super portable party speaker than just sounds great.

The Sony SRS-XG300 is almost the perfect pool side summer portable speaker. Why perfect the for the pool? Because it's IP67 rated, so it would even survive an accidental drenching/fall in the pool. The sound quality is amazing, deep rich bass (thanks to Sony Mega Bass) and great sound reproduction. The XG300 didn't distort, even when I pumped it up to full volume. At mid-to-high volume the bass diaphragm also has a satisfying vibration - which is just cool. The LED lights are cool, you can control these with the Sony app or behind the waterproof cover over. Behind the battery cover you will find a button to turn the LEDs off (so you don't have to use the app), a USB C charging port, and a USB A port that can charge an external device. I tested this with my iPhone, and it happily charged by iPhone while still pumping out music. The whole XG300 unit charges via USB C and there's a brick adapter included (5V 3A). Battery is rate at 25 hours, I didn't test this for 25 hours straight, but I did get a full day and early evening use without any issues. Overall, love the look of the Sony XG300, the soft textured design especially the retractable carry handle (see photos). The weight at about 6.5lb is acceptable, with the handle, it feels a little like those ghetto blasters you see in 1980's movies. Which I love! The only loss of a star is because it has to always sit horizontally. I know Sony makes smaller versions of this series that can sit vertically, but you lose playback time and sound quality - but just wish there were smarts in the speaker so it knew you wanted to stand it up and dynamically adjusted. It's a small issue, when the rest of the XG300 is awesome, but worth knowing it has to be used horizontal only. Either way, still love it and it's going to make our summers more fun.

MODEL REVIEWED SONY - XG300 PORTABLE X-SERIES BLUETOOTH SPEAKER - BLACK MODEL:SRSXG300/B HEADLINE: WOW – FANTASTIC SOUNDING PORTABLE SPEAKER – BEST I’VE HEARD OVERVIEW I’ve reviewed and owned lots of speakers and when it comes to audio, I am very picky. The SONY - XG300 is easily the best portable speaker I’ve owned. It faithfully reproduces music at all levels (high, medium, low), and all volumes. The price is not for the faint of heart, but if you want fantastic sound quality, you are going to have a dig a little deeper into your wallet. I tested a variety of music types and formats, and in different rooms and outside. The SONY - XG300 really delivers well in all situations. It is by default very bass forward, even with Mega Bass turned off, but because the app allows for basic Custom EQ settings, you can easily tune the base, middle, and treble to your own preferences. I happen to like good punchy bass as long it is not muddy (which it is not), and the other levels are not distorted. The app itself it easy to download, and install, and lets you control the lights, sounds, audio inputs and more. The control buttons are large and easy to use. I like that the lights are subtle and not over the top crazy flashing. You can turn them completely off if you want or just let them give a soft glow, or various other modes. The SONY - XG300 has a large battery (up to 25 hours), and a quick charge feature. It also lets you charge your phone at the same time via an USB-Type A charging port. I really like that it is powered by a USB-C connector to charge the speaker. No need to carry around extra chargers if you already have a USB-C power source handy. It is also water resistant. While I would not dunk it in the pool, you should be able to have it around the pool, beach, boat without any worries. The speaker itself is pretty heavy (like a brick), but it has a nice heavy duty handle that tucks away, when not in use. Overall it a great performer, and well thought out. SETUP There is not much to set up. Turn it on, most modern phones will auto-pair the Bluetooth connection and you are good to go. You can also download the Sony Music Center App, for even more control. Everything worked perfectly. There is a recessed panel in the back that you open for charging in case you want to top off the battery before you grab it and head to the beach. SUMMARY I fully 110% recommend the SONY - XG300 for anyone who does not want to compromise sound quality for portability. Video Review: https://youtu.be/Ky-0rBkndWM

The first thing that you notice is that this speaker is BIG. But it does perform admirably. The sound is great, and the battery life is amazing. There is even a USB type A port for charging your phone if you need it. Sony claims 25 hours of battery life on a moderate volume, and I can believe it given my experience so far. This speaker is also true stereo, but given that the separation is only a few inches, you cannot expect great stereo separation in a unit this size. But that sound is still wonderful, with bass ports on either side that can keep the house thumping! There is a USB-C port for charging, and a 3.5mm jack for wired input. Included in the box is a wired 5V USB-C wall wart, but you can use any type-C charger that you have lying around. This speaker also advertises water and dust resistance, and it certainly appears plausible, especially given the big rubber door covering the ports on the back. One final feature that I have never seen before is the option to limit the battery charging to only 90%, which means that the battery will not wear out nearly as fast. Kudos on Sony for including this feature. I wish that more devices with rechargeable batteries did this. But as good as this speaker is, there are a couple of tiny nits to pick. First is that there is no NFC paring option. Other, less expensive speakers from other manufacturers have this feature, and it would have been a nice option to have. Second is that, while there is a "light" feature, it is very dark and battery life takes a hit while in use. The bass ports on the side are lit by an RGB LED, but because the speakers themselves are black, most of the light is simply absorbed. The lighting effect is close to invisible during the day, and disappointing at night. But I don't actually care about lights, so I just leave them off. According to the manual, the "25 hour" battery life drops by hours when the lights are turned on, so I would just leave them off. Another thing to be aware of that you will NEED to download the app to change many of the settings. The option to limit battery charging to 90% can only be activated by the app. There is a button to turn the lighting effects on or off on the back, but if you want to change which lighting effect is used, you need the app. The final curious thing is that this speaker is supposed to be rugged, and has water and dust resistance. However, the entire unit is covered in a nice-feeling fabric. While it looks and feels great, I can't help but feel that the fabric will easily hold dirt and sand. This won't hurt the speaker at all, but it might shed dirt every time you move it once you bring it back in the house.

Looking for great sounding audio from a portable Bluetooth speaker? I found a great option from SONY, the XG300. Not only is it portable with its own self contained battery, it can even share that power to keep your phone charged and running while at work or play. SOUND: that's all I really care about in a speaker. The XG300 delivers. Free apps make it more versatile, but aren't required for out of the box connecting and usage. Phone connected and need to make a call? Your covered with the built in microphone. Answer the phone with a press of the button on the left side next to the power ON/OFF button. The unique hourglass shape gives this little speaker pair some awesome bass. If you have a compatible SONY Bluetooth speaker, you can join them wirelessly and be surrounded by your music. I love it while working in the garage or on the job. It even has its own toolbox. The unit is rated for water and dust so harsh locations won't bother it. The speakers have cool LEDs when I'm using them for down time. The charger is super fast giving hours of playback in a few short minutes of plug time. The unit's carrying handle folds into the top between the easy to actuate buttons. Clear and large enough to see without glasses. They also have a raised surface to touch recognition. The charging port is SUB-C for high power fast charging. Zero to FULL in less than 5 hours.

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.

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.