Sony - Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Black

The Sony XP700 is a niche speaker. But when it comes to audio, aren't there so many applications and products that they've all become niches? What makes this speaker "niche" is that we're living an era of portability, and while this is a "portable" speaker, this is not something "conveniently loud but portable" you'd bring for a quick picnic at the park, where even my JBL Boombox 2 or my UE Hyperboom was considered huge to some who've believe a JBL Xtreme is as large as it'd get. This is either a "haul, but stays around the house", take it to the backyard, or if have a pool (preferably private one as it gets very loud to annoy others in a community pool). Because if the day comes, and you're taking it to the park, to a friends house for a BBQ, or anywhere else away from your home, it's an event that WILL require planning, and some room in your vehicle. Introducing: The Sony SRS XP700. Sony's direct competitor to the JBL Partybox 310, or is it the other way around? I read many reviews here and none we're direct comparisons to its only competitor, the JBL PB310. To summarize, i purchased both, listened to them obsessively for a week, kept one and returned the other. Looks & Build: This speaker is aesthetically pleasing to me. It's got aggressive curves but still looks elegant without making you look like a party animal. Yes it's big, but has a modern touch to it without going far too wild. I've never been a fan of lights in speakers. It's a personal preference, yet i really liked the implementation on these ones, something that i didn't like on the PB310 as much. I would have much preferred that the handles would have been placed on the rear of the speaker but i understand the design had to do with the lights implementation. Both are "splash" resistant IPX4 which means they'll (probably) survive a moderate rain, just don't soak them with a water hose or submerge them. Compared to the PB310, which has a retractable handle, and WHEELS, i would have to call it a tie. The build quality is outstanding on both, i like the looks of the XP700 better than the PB310, the 310 looks like a party itself, with Exclamation Marks around (literally), i prefer the low key element of the XP700 over that look, but in this department each has strengths and weaknesses, so i'd call it a tie. Sound: This is not an audiophile-targeted speaker, can't even call it a "balanced" speaker. It is boomy, even at lower volumes. For indoor use, i had to take the Bass slider on the app to 1/4 of the full bar, and boost the mids and highs so it'd for everyday use and still there's some upper low frequencies that come a little bit strong on the mix due to resonating on enclosed spaces, but don't get me wrong, sounds full and great at all distance, anywhere you're in the house, or in the pool. I've yet to put this thing over 50% volume before i get too self-conscious. Comparing the low end of these two speakers, i'd have to give it hands down to the JBL 310. I mean, it's not only louder. It is cleaner and less boomy as it's fuller, it goes deeper (lower frequencies that are just inaudible on the XP700) and i wish they could have made it on the XP700. Why didn't they? I don't know, the sound engineers most likely had a valid reason, probably to save the drivers from themselves or because it'd mud the mix too much. Oh yeah, the MEGABASS feature, or should i call it "gimmick" is something i never see myself using. It's a boost to the upper low frequencies that make the speaker boomier, not bassier, but may be useful for large open spaces like in the middle of a park. Now, on the mids and highs, the Sony sounds wider and detailed, while the JBL sounded narrower to me. That extra "omni" rear tweeter helps with the soundstage, and it helps A LOT, and this is something that i appreciate while listening in my living room and walking to the kitchen, the sound is fuller on the XP700 where the 310 gets lost on the bass/low frequencies unless you're listening at higher volumes or head on. To pick a winner here would come down to personal preference. If you're a basshead, or plan to throw EDM parties all the time, or are mainly a hip-hop where physical bass/thump is your thing, the PB310 is your choice. It's a physical experience you can feel, it'll be an exciting party. On the other hand, the Sony XP700 is a party speaker that will sound phenomenal on most genres, and it's more adjustable (natively) than the JBL PB310, and don't get me wrong, EDM, Hip-Hop and everything else also sounds amazing on this speaker, it's just that for bass-heavy specifics the JBL may have the very slight edge. For me, Sony XP700 wins in the sound department, as it allows me to enjoy music with a wider soundstage on a wider selection of genres while enjoying a more detailed sound. Controls: Physical controls on both speakers are great, straightforward and intuitive. But if we include the App, Sony wins. Even if Music Center is not perfect, Sony gives you the option to adjust the sound signature with a paltry 3-band EQ and some "enhancements", JBL gives you NONE. The light customization is straightforward on both apps and can be easily turned on and off on the speakers. The XP700 wins, Mediocre EQ beats no EQ. Good job Sony. Value: At the time of this review, i paid $448 + tax for these speakers. The PB 310 are $499+tax at the time of this review. I can't conclude which one is a better value as purpose would make $50 irrelevant if you're buying a speaker with this features. However taking into account that these are similar speakers in performance, even with different targets, the XP700 are slightly (-11%) less expensive than the PB310. Both are pricy but a great addition to your everyday enjoyment. Connectivity: Both speakers are BT 5.0+, connection didn't drop for either of these speakers once, with my walking around all my kitchen and outside around the pool and BBQ even thru some walls. but Sony's XP700 got LDAC on board while JBL's still stuck on SBC. Does it make a difference in the realm of party speakers? I don't know, but Sony again inched JBL by giving you the option to use the codec. Conclusion: At the end of the day, this is a Speaker. And now it's my "main" speaker. I kept the Sony XP700 over the JBL Partybox 310 based on the fact that both are extremely powerful but i preferred the "more balanced" sound of the Sony compared to the deep, deep JBL bass. Soundstage is better, cleaner, sound fill a room more evenly and balanced regardless of distance. I preferred the looks, controls (and EQ in the app) of the Sony, and while i'll miss the wheels and the lower bass, overall, the XP700 was my winner as the heart of my home sound system, that now, it's wireless as well.

The Sony SRS-XP700 portable blue tooth speaker comes in at a nearly 38 pounds and in the upright position, stands nearly 28 inches tall. Does it have a handle so it can be lifted and moved? Surely. Can it run for a phenomenal 25 hours on battery? Absolutely! Would I call it portable? I suppose. But honestly, this thing is a beast and for most people, grabbing it by the handle and moving it around - easily - from location to location isn't going to be fun. With that out of the way, the build quality is ALL Sony. Behind the speaker grille is a solid array of drivers that produce the massive sound field. The protected rear port panel is stout and it's protective cover easily swings down, out of the way. In there you will find the AC power cord port, two USB parts, two quarter inch jack inputs - one strictly for a microphone and another that can be switched from microphone to guitar input - and both jacks with separate, dedicated gain controls. Lastly, there is a audio input 3.5mm mini-jack port, to be used for any auxiliary input you choose - even something as rudimentary as hard wiring a smart phone instead of connecting with blue tooth. Above this access panel are buttons to control three features of the SRS-XP700 if you want immediate access without resorting to the Sony Music Center mobile app; party connect pairing, battery care and lighting. Handy for basic connections but if you're using a phone to source your music or streams, load Music Center - it's a well-designed, mature mobile app and gives you complete control over the speaker. I personally give Sony mobile apps the high possible recommendations because they are simply designed & supported brilliantly. Pairing the XP700 was a breeze and went off without a hitch. The controls on the top of the unit have nicely presented LED indicators, with a soft but not overpowering glow to them. The Sony SRS-XP700 has an IPX4 water resistance rating that should provide plenty of protection for light spills or light rain - but don't plan on leaving this beast outdoors in the element for any length of time... it's not water proof! The sound quality is absolutely no-compromise and I found that the fidelity at moderate to loud playing levels to be just fine without the need to enable Mega Bass. Sound quality is quite subjective and is not only influenced by one’s own personal sense of hearing but also the environment the equipment it located in - but for me - Mega Bass was only needed at lowered volumes levels, for both indoor and outdoor enjoyment. When played more 'loudly', Mega Bass was simply just too BOOMY for my tastes. Your personal preferences may vary. The lighting elements (horizontal bars) are located at the top and bottom of the unit. They are fairly diffused and not over-the-top. But the color theme options are a bit underwhelming and to me – uninspiring. I don't own microphones but I do own an electric guitar - and the input with the guitar plugged in directly was fine, full and clear. I did notice some slight added distortion when using an effects processing box between the guitar and the SRS-XP700, but that's OK. I don't consider this to a replacement for a traditional guitar amplifier - but it does work in pinch. Over all I think the SRS-XP700 is a masterfully crafted blue tooth power-house, that offers a great omni directional sound field and plenty of 'punch' for even really large settings or gatherings. I never felt wanting for more treble, mid-range or bass. No matter if it was more run-of-the-mill MP3 sources, high quality FLAC files and even a multitude of streaming channels ... everything was loud, clear and enjoyable. The battery life is phenomenal considering it's size but I would recommend that you turn the lighting off for anticipated, long playing sessions. And to be quite honest, I'm not a big fan of the lights in general anyhow... but that's just me. Pros: High fidelity, large room filling or large outdoor space sound Well-appointed and positioned ports; more than adequate and with the USB ports - a great way to keep the device supplying the source sound powered at all times That build quality that only Sony can do; understated but stylish The ability to take microphone AND guitar inputs Very capable cordless operation with that humongous, built-in battery rated for up to 25 hours Very simple and straight-forward, moisture protected buttons across the top panel and along the rear for quick manual control Easy pairing and quick connections each and every time Can be laid down if preferred or if your ‘environment’ demands it; but only on one side The Music Center app Notables: Uninspiring lighting It is heavy, so just know that going into it before you buy Cons: None High Recommended

Overall the speaker is great. I take it everywhere, literally. I use it for my backyard or volleyball sessions mostly. The lights are so cool synching with the music and the sound is amazing. Only problem i have with it is that is does not have wheels since its a big speaker. It is not heavy but if youre walking a far distance then you eventually will get tired since its kinda big. I knew it would be big and I didnt care because i usually take a wagon cartto my sessions anyway so I would just throw it in there. Just a little advice if you plan on buying it, Don’t expect it to actually be super portable. It will take a little effort to take it to places but the hassle will be worth it.

The SRS-XP700 Portable Wireless Speaker is a beast of a speaker that delivers on the promise of big, hi-def sound on a speaker that’s designed not to be in the background of a party but to take center stage. At nearly 40 lbs and over 2 ft tall when standing up vertically, it’s practically at the margins of what one would consider a “portable Bluetooth speaker,” but packed inside are a pair of Sony's unique X-Balanced woofers which have a square-shaped diaphragm, three front tweeters, a rear tweeter, and 25-hour runtime battery. It can also run off main power if it is plugged in and charging, and just a 10-minute charge can provide up to 3 hours of playback, though a full charge takes approximately 3 hours. The housing is made of a durable, chunky plastic and sports two handles on either side of the speaker grill for carrying and lifting the unit. It can also be placed horizontally on its side, although there are only rubber feet on the bottom and right-hand side of the speaker for laying flat. Hidden behind each handle are multi-color LED lights that flash and change to the beat of the music, so you can add a light show to liven up your party. If you want to disable the lights, there is an on/off toggle button on the back of the speaker. The controls on top of the speaker include a power button, Bluetooth pairing button, play/pause, volume control, and ‘Mega Bass’ for adding bass boost. The Play/Pause button also does double duty to skip tracks: double-press for forward and triple-press for back. On the back of the speaker, along with the LED light toggle button, are a battery indicator button, which if pressed, the speaker will announce the current remaining battery life in 20% increments, and a “Party Connect” button that allows you to pair and sync other Sony speakers (up to 100!) so that they will all play the same audio and display the same light show simultaneously. Just below those buttons, behind a removable door panel you’ll find two USB ports, the power port for charging, AUX-in port, two ¼” mic input jacks with individual analog volume control knobs; the ¼” jack on the right can be used with an electric guitar by pressing the ‘guitar’ toggle button. In addition to charging your mobile devices, the left USB port can be used as an input source, and you can play audio files stored on the connected device, like a USB drive. The gasket-lined door panel is tethered with two rubber retractable straps, so you can’t misplace it; when it’s closed, the unit remains IPX4 water resistant, and you don’t have to worry if the speakers get splashed with water or rush to cover it if it starts raining. Pairing to the speaker is straightforward. Just press the Bluetooth button to enter pairing mode, then select the SRS-XP700 from your device’s Bluetooth menu. Note that for Apple iOS devices, the speaker is only compatible with iOS 10.0 or later. However, the speaker can be paired with up to 2 devices simultaneously (and remember up to 8) but only plays from one at a time. Since the connection is Bluetooth 5.0 there’s virtually no delay between your phone and the speaker, so if you want to watch a movie on your phone but listen to the audio on the XP700, the video and audio are perfectly synced with no noticeable lag. Interestingly enough, you can also prioritize whether or not the Bluetooth sound quality or connection stability is more important to you and switch between “Priority on sound quality” and “Priority on sound connection” modes. On top of the speaker is a 9” long, ½” wide, 5/8” deep groove where you can seat a mobile device like a phone/tablet (without a case) for use as a stand, which works great if you’re streaming from a tablet and want to have lyrics up on the screen for karaoke. Note though that the top of the speaker is tilted back at an angle and not level, so you can’t really place things on top of it and expect them to not slide off. As for the audio quality, it is clean and crystal clear even when turned up to max volume with little to no distortion on most tracks. If you have large rooms, open spaces, or are outdoors, the speaker can provide plenty of sound to blanket a large area, but also sounds great at medium to low volume. Toggling on ‘Mega Bass’ mode adds an extra dimension to the lower bass registers with more deep vibrations and low rumbles coming through, though this will consume more battery life faster. You can also press and hold the ‘Mega Bass’ button to swap to ‘Stamina’ mode which disables features like the lights and ‘Mega Bass’ in order to preserve battery life while not impacting the overall sound quality. If you download and use the Sony | Music Center and Fiestable apps on a mobile device you can also use additional features like adjusting the equalizer and volume settings, add sound effects, enable ‘Stereo Pair’ mode where you can link the XP700 with a second unit or XP500 and have each speaker play left and right channels separately for better directional 3D sound reproduction, and manually choose the input mode. I didn’t play around a lot with the DJ or motion control functions in the app, but there are also a few “party” functions that let others interact with the speaker from their mobile phones from syncing their screens to display the same colors as the light show to submitting tracks to a “host” shared playlist which play in the order that they are added. Overall, this speaker offers a great mix of features for both folks who value quality sound from their Bluetooth speakers and those who wish their speakers could do "more" than just play background music at a party. Its dual mic and instrument input options make this speaker a versatile all-in-one choice as a PA system for solo/duet performances or MC’ing at events, and the ample battery life, fast-charging, and portability factor mean that it can travel, when necessary.

I’ve used a variety of Sony speakers over the years. They have consistently been reliable accessories for me to connect to for music entertainment. So, when I saw this larger variation available, I decided to add it to our collection. It seemed to be the perfect companion for our newly remodeled patio. After investing quite a bit of money into getting our patio set up for entertaining guests and lounging around in the evening, we wanted to make sure we had a speaker for music to match. The speaker is quite easy to get started with. When you first turn it on, it enters Bluetooth mode (indicated by the flashing Bluetooth logo) and you can select it from your Bluetooth menu on your phone, tablet, or other device you are connecting from. Within a few seconds of getting the speaker out of its box, we were playing tunes thru it. There was a decent amount of battery life already on the speaker out of the box and after playing it for several hours, it still had about 50% left. I have yet to test the full 25-hour battery life it boasts, but I haven’t had any issues with the speaker being powered when I need it. I love that you have additional options for connecting to the speaker aside from wirelessly. Users have the option of plugging USB memory sticks for flash drives into the rear USB port to play digital files, too. This port can also be used to charge your phone (or other device) from the speaker while you are streaming audio from it. In addition to that, the speaker can be used as an amp or PA, too. There are mic/guitar dual inputs in the rear port. The XP700 is quite a hefty party companion. It weighs in at 25 pounds, which is ‘portable’ in a certain sense, but it’s not easy to move large distances without some help. There are also several aspects of the speaker that can be controlled via app. The lighting can be customized, users can connect up to 100 wireless speakers with Party Connect, and the Sony Music Center app helps you to organize your music. It’s a pretty cool set-up for controlling the entertainment. While we have taken a lot of care to make sure the speaker is moved into our garage after get-togethers, I’m glad it’s water-resistant. It can withstand light rain and spills from guests - if it happens. We do try very hard to keep the speaker located in an area where guests aren’t gathering though. The sound quality is amazing and the volume is outstanding. We had it turned up a couple of times to unbearable volumes and the entire neighborhood could hear it. The bass is well-balanced and everything we played sounded great coming out of it. Several people at our cookouts over the past couple of weeks have commented how nice it was to have music during the events - that everyone could hear. The lights on the speaker are a nice touch, but at times, they seemed underwhelming. I do, however, think this is a great option for anyone who entertains and even for churches, schools, or businesses that host events.

This Sony SRS-XP700 Portable Bluetooth Speaker has blown me away. Even from the moment I hit the power button, and the warm, deep welcome tone sounded, I sensed this speaker was going to be good. Linking to my phone couldn't have been easier, press the bluetooth button on top for 5 or so seconds and then look for it in the bluetooth setting on your phone. Fired up a recent favorite of mine 'Hurt - by One Desire'. The bass was instantly punchy, you could feel it in your chest and your furniture! I was not expecting so much bass from a completely wireless bluetooth speaker. And it is constant bass, it doesn't fade as you turn it up. There appears to be some kind of witchcraft going on inside this speaker! The set up consists of front and rear tweeters for room filling, omnidirectional sound, and x-balanced main speaker units combined with Sony's infamous 'MEGA BASS™' system providing a pounding soundtrack. This speaker handles all genres of music thrown at it with ease. The x-balanced speakers are a unique Sony development that enable to keep the bass punch at higher volumes, without sacrificing clarity. I have a very open living room with 22ft ceilings, and this speaker absolutely fills the space with a hall like sound, at only half volume. And the beauty is, that being omnidirectional, the sound is everywhere, you can walk around the house and while you know where the speaker is, it is not 'obvious'. There is just sound in the room. The speaker does come with a power cord, so you can run it plugged in, but if you want to take it away from the electrical grid, the internal battery lasts for around 25 hours, without compromising the sound quality or that incredible bass. And if you need to 'top it off', a quick 10 minute charge gives you an additional 3 hours of playback time. Great charging technology included in this astounding speaker. There is a button in the center on the back that when pressed gives you a voice prompt of the battery life. Along the handle and the base are discrete LED lights that dance and flash along with the music, but they are also completely controllable using the Sony 'Fiestable' app which is a downloadable companion. Install the app and then you can go in and change all sorts of settings on the speaker for full LED control. You an also sync to your phone to use it as an additional light source. You can turn the LEDs off with a button on the back, or using the app. And talking of apps, download the Sony Music Center app for complete control of the speaker. You can adjust many settings from the app, including the MEGABASS, Live and Custom equalizer to tune the speaker to your liking control over Bass, Mids and Treble exactly as you want it. You can also see a complete and accurate battery life indicator here. On the back under the IPX4 rated cover, there are controls for gain and volume to use this speaker as a karaoke speaker or as a guitar amp, to make this speaker a complete all rounder. Imagine that - hook up your guitar and just take it wherever you want for a full days worth of sound. There are two USB ports under that cover as well, so you can bring your own flash drive with music on it, OR you can create a wired connection to your phone, which not only gives you audio clarity, but also charges your phone from the internal battery. This speaker is so versatile! On the top are some simple buttons to play/pause, connect to bluetooth, turn on/ff and control the MEGABASS. These are rubberized to maintain its water resistance. This speaker is NOT waterproof, but water resistant so it can be used near a pool without fear of it being splashed, or having drinks spilled on it. But it cannot be submersed in a pool for example. And also on top is a long slot, which is designed as an iPad/iPhone stand for when you want to have full control using the apps, or if you want to use the speaker in Karaoke mode. A useful addition to the top of the speaker. Inside the speaker is a motion sensor, and it has rubber feet on the base, but also along one side. When you change the orientation of the speaker, the speaker adapts and switches the orientation of the tweeter output to maintain it's phenomenal sound. There is a slight pause in the music as the sensor adjusts (half a second) so that you know the sound orientation has changed. You can pair this speaker to another one, and assign it a left and right channel, to give full stereo sound, OR just use them both as a 'party chain' to fill an even larger space with sound and light. As far as portability, yes, it is completely wireless, but with it's internal battery and unique speakers system, this speaker is not light at a little over 37lbs including the battery. You will be using both carry handles as you move it around. But all in all, I think that is a small price to pay for the incredible sound and stamina that this speaker has. The Summary: This is absolutely, the BEST wireless, bluetooth, portable speaker I have ever used. I've been blown away by it from day one, the sound is incredible, clear, strong and very bass heavy, which I personally love, it's so versatile and acts as a 'complete system'. Highly recommended!

This is review of Sony SRS-XP700 Just WOW as first impression for its powerful sound. With its easy to grab and go to make big wave perfect to enjoy with group of friends at backyard or else. I couldn’t have the volume all the way up for long as it can be heard across entire block of neighbor. On setting aspect is straight forward, enable bluetooth on the device and the speaker, then download Sony Music Center and Fiestable, select the music and play with the lights as bump the sound. The Mega Boost does its job enabling amplification if I understand correctly, and can tell the difference with and without it, the deep but still sharp of the full sound of each instrument and voice makes great for the moment. Then the Music Center has its own benefit is song management integrated with device default player iTunes I my case. I find it useful as from the same app can control songs to play and control the speaker. And good thing of Fiestable its ability for DJ Control and make effect. It has other feature like Voice Control, Party Light, Party Playlist, Motion Control, Karaoke, Illumination. But find more interesting the make of effect on the sound via Dj Control. And it is remarkable the duration of the battery. Didn’t play continuous 25 hours, but having played several hours across multiple days of week, still remains 70% of single charge. On the note of curious feature of the application, despite it doesn’t connect via WiFi for music control and connectivity with speaker, it still require to enable Local Network and Cellular Data. Not sure this is for the requirement for Add App Maps and how it benefit, but find bit odd it is there. What I feel non convenient are: 1. Have to rely on additional two applications 2. Can’t turn on/off from the application 3. Can’t enable Mega Bass from the application, or at least I couldn’t find the option. 4. The light effect is single one for both top and bottom. Wish I can have control to have for top and bottom. But aside of short list of inconvenience, find it really good to have for the good quality of sound at big to be with friends enjoying bbq. I can’t imagine the level of experience would be by adding compatible speakers for Party mode.

Looking for an outdoor wireless speaker with solid battery life and excellent sound output look no further than the Sony XP700. With an IPX4 rating, the rain does not mean the party has to stop. With onboard ambient lighting to set the party lighting. It’s so massive it has 2 handles to give you a nice workout from carrying it around. With x2 X-Balanced speakers, x3 tweeters in the front, and x1 tweeter in the rear the SRS XP700 is able to provide a venue with filling sound. The rear tweeter allows it to provide an omnidirectional sound with a nice deep punchy bass provided by turning on Mega Bass. It’s a loud clear sound that goes well with every style of music you listen to. This type of sound is expected from an X-Series speaker, and Sony does not disappoint. There’s also a Live Sound option that is supposed to mimic an outdoor event. Overall, there’s plenty of options to adjust the sound to your liking. One of the extra features I like was being able to get 3hrs of playback with just 10mins of charging. Charging is done via a power cable. The good thing about this is no additional brick to carry around. I would have liked to have had the option to charge via USB C. Now, some of the I/O options you get are x2 USB A ports that can be used to charge your phone or plugged in a storage device like a USB memory stick to playback your music files. There’s also an aux input for wired connection for much better sound quality, and what’s a party without some Karaoke? Well the SRS XP700 has you covered with a mic input and guitar input. Whether you want to sing to your favorite song during playback or playback your guitar solo you can do both with the SRS XP700. There's also a knob for each one to adjust the sensitivity. Overall, Sony does a lot of good things with this speaker to justify the high price. It’s a solidly built speaker with IPX4 water resistance protection from spills and splashes from a light rainstorm. The sound quality is not only top-notch but can get very loud no matter where you sit. It does this while it still manages to provide a solid battery life. If you're someone that throws a lot of parties or just likes to be able to jam out loud to their favorite songs. Take a hard look at the SRS XP700. “Reviewers in this invitation-only program are provided products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased reviews.