New this season is another trio of speakers under the SRS-XB line: the compact SRS-XB21, the mid-sized SRS-XB31 and the full sized SRS-XB41. This review will take a look at each of the speakers, their differences, and how they sound.
Full review: blog.bestbuy.ca/
Erin's blog: www.TechGadgets...
Common features in SRS-XB lineup
Though there are some differences between each speaker, they do each have some common features.
Extra Bass technology:
Sony's Extra Bass technology is the key feature of these speakers; it's what they're named for, and what the "XB" in the name stands for.
What is Sony Extra Bass?
EXTRA BASS technology essentially lets you get more bass out of your music. The Sony EXTRA BASS headphones and speakers use what's called an Electro Bass Booster to make the lower tones of bass lines more prominent.
The Sony SRS-XB21, the SRS-XB31 and the full sized SRS-XB41 are all rated against water and dirt penetration. They have the rating IP67, which means it's fully protected from dirt and dust and can withstand the effects of immersion in water to depth of up to 1 meter.
Party Booster is available with SRS-XB41, SRS-XB31, SRS-XB21 and when it’s enabled, the speaker will make sound effects when you smack it; “makes the party atmosphere more exciting,” according to Sony.
There are several kinds of sound effects, which can be enabled or switched with the “Sony Music Center” app, or you can hold the volume up and down buttons simultaneously to turn this feature on and off.
You can customize the lighting effects and colours in the Sony Music Center app. The XB21 has just a few options, while the XB31 and 41 have lots of effects and colours to choose from.Just go to Settings, and select Lighting Mode. You can choose the frantic “Rave”, the less seizure-inducing “Chill” on the XB21, or there’s up to a dozen choices and colours in the XB31.
Party Chain
These speakers have a feature called Party Chain, which essentially lets you connect and group multiple speakers to the same source. With compatible Sony devices, you can connect up to 10 speakers in the chain.
I’ve got full instructions on the blog, but the gist of it is you tune on one speaker, press the wireless connect button, then turn on the next, press the button and so on down the chain.
Follow the detailled instructions here, but in essence, you’ll have previously paired each speaker top your phone using Bluetooth. Then makes sure all the speakers are turned off.
Turn on the first speaker and wait for it to connect (you’ll hear a beep and the Bluetooth light will stop flashing). Then press the WPC (Wireless Party Chain) button inside the cap on the rear, you’ll get two more beeps and the Bluetooth light will flash again . Turn on the second speaker, wait for the connecting, then press the WPC button in that one. Do the same with subsequent speakers. You may need to wait about 20 seconds for everything to connect. You’ll then control the speaker group by selecting the first speaker you connected and selecting your music or source in the app.
There's built in USB charging so you can keep your phone juiced up. It's only available on the SRS-XB 31 and 41 models.
There’s very little to say about the sound quality of these speakers. Sony does sound well and I’ve rarely been able to find fault with how their products sound. These speakers sound great and even the smallest XB 21 is very clear, vibrant and loud. Head up the line and obviously sound quality and power increases, but overall there’s a lot of bass and you can feel it in the table or surface.
Vocals sound clear and the overall sound is nicely balanced. Only high fives here when it comes to audio quality of these speakers.
If I were buying one of these, I’d pick the mid-sized, mid-priced SRS-XB31; I like the size, the sound quality is outstanding and it’s plenty powerful enough for me, and I like that it has the LED piping with colour changing and more configurable lighting and sound effect options.
Nonetheless I can recommend any of the speakers in this line. They’re fun, functional and made for summer.
13 сен 2024
