Sony SRS

Sony’s latest budget-friendly portable Bluetooth speaker, the $59.99 SRS-XB100, is an incremental update to the SRS-XB13 that has slightly richer bass and a substantially better speakerphone mic. We’re also fans of its weatherproof build, but you don't get a companion app. It's a worthwhile option if you're looking for a speaker under $100, though the $39.99 Anker Soundcore Mini 3 offers similar audio and speakerphone performance along with an adjustable EQ via a companion app for less money.

At 3.0 by 3.8 inches (HD) and 9.7 ounces, the cylindrical SRS-XB100 is compact enough to easily tote around. You can choose between matte black, gray, orange, or teal finishes for the ridged exterior (the previous version had a smooth shell). There are cutouts around the base for the radiator, while a removable strap with a mottled design ships attached to the unit.

Internally, there's an upward-firing 2-Watt (W) driver that's partially visible through the grille perforations, as well as a downward-aimed passive bass radiator. Together, they deliver a frequency range of 100Hz to 15kHz for mono audio. To get more realistic imaging, you can group two of these speakers into a stereo pair.

The speaker supports Bluetooth 5.3 and works with the AAC and SBC codecs. You can also enjoy Google Fast Pair support on compatible Android devices.

The control panel wraps around the base of the speaker, opposite the Sony logo. From left to right, there are buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, multifunction (which handles playback, track navigation, and call management), and volume. To the right of these buttons, a snap-shut panel covers a USB-C port for the included USB-C-to-USB-A charging cable. You don't get any other accessories in the box.

An IP67 rating means that the speaker is fully dustproof and waterproof. You can submerge it at depths of up to one meter for 30 minutes without worry, but don't expect a Bluetooth signal to travel underwater. Regardless, heavy downpours, poolside splashes, and cleaning sessions shouldn't impact performance or cause other operational issues.

Sony estimates that the speaker can last roughly 16 hours per charge at modest volume levels or around five hours at maximum loudness. The company claims that the battery takes four hours and 30 minutes to fully charge from empty.

You don't get a companion app for the SRS-XB100, but that's not something I necessarily expect in this price range. Even the nine-band EQ for the aforementioned Anker model can only do so much to change its sound signature, though an app does unlock the possibility of improvements via firmware updates. That aside, I'm glad to see speakerphone functionality here, a feature that's becoming increasingly rare on portable models.

On tracks with heavy sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the speaker outputs a surprising level of thump for its size. The driver comes close to distorting at top volumes, but the digital signal processing (DSP) kicks in and thins out the bass just enough to prevent that. Like its predecessor, note that this version can also vibrate certain surfaces at high volumes enough to cause a distortion-like effect. Simply hang the speaker from its strap to ensure clean playback on deep-bass tracks. The good news is that it doesn't propel itself across flat surfaces due to vibrations like the old model.

The SRS-XB100 can’t really reproduce the sub-bass elements at the 34-second mark of Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” I wouldn’t expect its modest mono driver to reach down that low, but the radiator is enough to add a nice emphasis to the drum loop. Vocals come across with plenty of clarity, as well.

Bill Callahan’s “Drover,” a track with a lot less deep bass, gives us a better sense of the sound signature. The radiator impressively boosts the drums, but it's Callahan’s baritone vocals that pack the most low-frequency richness. There's also an ideal amount of detail in the higher frequencies—the vocals in this range sound crisp, while the acoustic strums and upper-register percussive hits have an airy presentation.

On orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, the lower-register instrumentation sounds surprisingly full, while the higher-register brass, strings, and vocals exhibit a pleasant brightness. The balance between the lows and highs is impressive and consistent regardless of the volume level.

The echo-canceling speakerphone mic works well. The signal from a test recording on an iPhone was clear and strong, and I didn't have any problem understanding every word from it. It's excellent for fielding calls on the go and a big improvement over the previous model in this area.

The Sony SRS-XB100’s modest improvements over its predecessor, including some subtle tweaks to the low-frequency response and a better speakerphone mic, make it a solid upgrade. It’s easy to recommend if you want a compact, waterproof speaker that pumps out robust, detailed sound. If you want to spend even less, meanwhile, you can go with the Anker Soundcore Mini 3, which offers similar audio performance and pairs with a companion app.

The $60 Sony SRS-XB100 has an adventure-ready build and delivers more sound than you might expect for such a small speaker.