Here is a video review of the Sony SRS-XB20 wireless portable Bluetooth speaker:
Links to purchase the Sony SRS-XB20 wireless portable Bluetooth speaker :
Via Amazon:
Summary:
The brand: Sony
The model: SRS-XB20
The Sony SRS-XB20 is a portable & wireless Bluetooth speaker that offers excellent audio quality for a speaker this size.
Its battery life is reasonable for this type of portable speaker.
This speaker is water-resistant, which makes it very useful for outdoor activity, but I didn’t use it near water.
It can connect with other speakers, but this feature is limited to specific models, which is a bit frustrating, in my opinion.
The wireless signal works well in a distance of up to 10 meters, and even more than that. The connectivity deteriorates when the distance is large & additional speaker is added to the audio streaming (in “Stereo” mode).
Some of its features are good to have (built-in microphone for phone calls & voice assistance, extra bass, paired with 1-to-99 speakers), while others don’t matter that much me (such as the light).
There are newer models in the market (the Sony SRS-XB21) but I’m not sure if it offers that much of an improvement compared to the Sony SRS-XB20.
Overall, I’ve been using this speaker since 2017, and so far I’m happy with it.
Specs:
| Speakers diameter | Full-range stereo speakers – Approx. 42mm Dual passive radiators |
| Power Output (RMS) | 20W |
| Impedance | 4 Ohms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Supported Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Supported Bluetooth Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP, SPP |
| Operation range | Up to 10 meters |
| Frequency band operation | 2.4 gHz |
| Transmission range (in A2DP) | 20Hz – 20,000Hz |
| Sampling frequency | 44.1 kHz |
| Line-in input | Yes – 3.5mm |
| Built-in battery | Yes – Lithium ion |
| Power input | DC 5V / up to 1.5A |
| Battery life | Up to 12 hours (When volume level is set to 21 & light is off) (When volume level at max. – up to 3 hours) |
| Charging time | 4-12 hours (depening the USB cable that is used) |
| Weight | Approx. 600 grams |
The pros:
Elegant design – The rounded curves, combined with the relatively robust appearance of the speaker, creates a device that will fit everywhere. If you want to spice up its look, then you can get it in a different color than black like mine.
Superb build-quality – It weighs approx. Six hundred grams, which isn’t much, but it doesn’t feel hollow when holding like it usually feels cheaper speakers.
The speaker is made from quality materials, and it can withstand a bump here and there.
Satisfying volume level & excellent audio quality – The sound that this speaker generates is impressive compared to other speakers that might go head to head with it.
I enjoyed listening to music with this speaker, and most of the time, there weren’t any distortions, which occurs if it plays hardcore bass music. And in this case, you can turn the “Extra Bass” off to tender the sound quality.
The volume level it reaches can fill a large space (yoga instructors will love it), and it would be a great companion for those who party outdoors and seek after a sound solution.
Here is the sound test I did for the Sony SRS-XB20:
Sony SRS-XB20 Extra Bass Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Sound Test (3:30-4:50)
Water-resistant to a certain degree – The speaker is rated IPX5 water-resistant, which means it protects the main unit against rain & it is washable.
The cap at the back of the speaker plays a very important role in the maintenance of the water-resistance performance, so make sure to close it properly.
Please note that the speaker isn’t fully water-resistant, and it would be best to not expose it to the water of any kind. Personally, I avoided using it near water, unless you consider placing it in the kitchen while washing the dishes…
Easy to operate – You don’t need a college degree to operate this speaker.
At the top of the device are located the control buttons & indicators as following (from right to left):
- Power button – It is also used to pair the speaker with other devices.
- Led indicators – One shows when the device operates & Bluetooth status, while the other shows when the battery is charging.
- Volume buttons.
- Add button – this feature is relevant when adding another speaker to create a stereo mode, or when using the speaker as part of a “Wireless Party Chain” (as I will explain soon).
- Play/Pause button – When playing audio from your device (using a media player), you can speed up the audio X 2 (by pressing twice) or X3 (by pressing three times).
- Call button – It is also used to tell the status of the battery life by pressing it for 3 seconds.
- Extra Bass button – a short press will turn the extra bass on/off, while a long press will control the light.
At the back of the speaker is a removable cap that protects the following:
- Power socket
- Reset button
- 3.5mm line-in socket
In addition, the speaker sounds voice guidance in English, including:
- When setting the speaker into pairing mode.
- You can learn on the battery’s status by pressing the “Call” button for 3 seconds.
- When the battery is low, you will hear “Please Charge”.
Can be paired with another speaker to create stereo mode – By using the “Add” function, you can connect two speakers that will be used as “Left” & “Right” to create stereo sound. It is usually used in parties, though I never attended one that offered such attraction.
You need to download to your device an app named “Music Center” (formerly known as “SongPal”), that is available for Android, iOS & even PC.
Currently, I’m not using that much with the app/software, but if something will change over time, I will update this info.
- You should use Sony speakers that supports this feature as well.
Supports “Wireless Party Chain” – This feature allows connecting the speaker with up to 99 other speakers
- You should use Sony speakers that support this feature as well (some of them are from the SRS-XB series).
Supports NFC – You can connect it with devices that
- How it works – You tap on the speaker with the device that you want to connect, and it will turn on and connect
immediately
Reasonable battery life when using it modestly – Sony claims the battery should last up to 12 hours. It is possible, depending on the way you will use it. If you plan to listen to audio in max. volume, then it will run out in about 3 hours.
Can be used as a speakerphone for phone calls – The speaker has a built-in electric-condenser type omnidirectional microphone, that allows using it when making phone calls.
- You need to make sure that your smartphone allows both Audio & Phone calls when the speaker is connected via Bluetooth.
Allows voice assistance – The speaker is compatible with Siri (which I didn’t test) & Google voice assistance, which I tried and works well.
Offers lightning feature – At the front of the speaker there is an ellipse led light that surrounds the speaker, and flickers according to the audio’s beat.
This is a cute feature that is intended especially if you plan to use this speaker as part of a “wireless party chain”. Personally, I don’t mind too much about it and prefer to turn it off to save battery life.
The cons:
The price when it is not on sale – I managed to purchase this speaker on sale for about $50, which was a great deal.
When it is not on sale, the price seems to be far from being attractive, since there are many alternatives in the market.
There’s a newer model that is quite similar – the Sony SRS-XB21 is supposed to be the newer model of this speaker.
I’m not sure if it offers that much of a difference compared to the Sony SRS-XB20.
The wireless connection has its flaws – The wireless signal works with no interruptions up to 10 meters, and even more than that. When I added a second speaker to create a “Stereo” mode, the signal quality started to deteriorate.
- Since I tested this “Add” mode to create “Left” & “Right”, there is a slight chance that it would work better with other Sony speakers (SRS-XB20 and above).
It requires specific speakers by Sony that supports the “Add” & “Wireless Party Chain” to use these features – this isn’t the fault of this particular model but Sony. And yet, Sony isn’t the only brand that does that, as the intention is to drive the customer to purchase more than one speaker or encourage other people to have the same speakers as their family/friends.
On the one hand, I understand why a brand would want to limit the use of these features to other speakers from the same brand, but in my opinion, this isn’t a win-win for anyone.
Not all speakers from the SRS-XB series supports the “Wireless Party Chain” – Though it probably should be mentioned in a separate review, I was disappointed to learn that it isn’t possible to use the Sony SRS-XB10 speaker as part of a “Wireless Party Chain”.
User manual:
Link to the Sony SRS-XB20 wireless portable Bluetooth speaker user manual
FAQ :
Q: What comes inside the package?
A: The package included the following:
- The speaker
- a USB-to-MicroUSB charging cable
- Documentation in several languages – user manual, warranty, quick guide, etc.
Q: Which codecs are available when using the “Add” / “Wireless Party Chain” functions?
A: When using one of these modes, the only available codec will be SBC.
Q: In which language the sound guidance is available?
A: The sound guidance is available only in English.
Q: How do I enable the “Add” feature to play from 2 speakers (L/R)?
A: To enable the “Stereo Mode” do the following:
- Make sure both speakers are turned on.
- Speaker #1 – Press the “Add” button for 3 seconds.
- Speaker #2 – Press the “Add” button for 3 seconds.
- Follow additional instructions on the devices if needed.
Q: How do I enable the “Wireless Party Chain”?
A: To enable the “Wireless Party Chain” feature do the following:
- Press the “Add” & “+” buttons simultaneously for 2 seconds.
- Do the same with the other speakers that you wish to add to the “Wireless Party Chain”.
Q: Which speakers can be used with this speaker in “Add” mode and/or “Wireless Party Chain” mode?
A: Here is a list of all the Sony speakers that currently support this feature:
- GTK-XB60
- GTK-XB90
- SRS-XB20
- SRS-XB21
- SRS-XB30
- SRS-XB31
- SRS-XB40
- SRS-XB41
If you have additional questions regarding the Sony SRS-XB20 wireless portable Bluetooth speaker – leave a comment and I will do my best to help.
Photos of the Sony SRS-XB20 wireless portable Bluetooth speaker:
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