Sony Speaker Xb43 – Boasting a higher price than most of Sony’s other waterproof Bluetooth speakers, there’s been a lot of hype surrounding the Sony SRS-XB43 model – but does it have the same high-quality sound that Sony is known for, and is it worth the money? him?
From basic features to in-depth pros and cons, here’s a comprehensive look at how the Sony SRS-XB43 performs and if it stacks up against the competition from other Bluetooth speakers.
Sony Speaker Xb43
The XB43 falls under the category of wireless waterproof Bluetooth speakers and some of the most popular features include LED lights, Party Connection and speakerphone functionality. Here’s a closer look at the speaker’s specs, its design, and how useful these extra features are when you’re looking for a Bluetooth speaker.
The Sony Srs Xb43 Is Totally Waterproof And Dust Proof
Weighing just over six pounds, the Sony SRS-XB43 isn’t the lightest Bluetooth speaker on the market, but it has a functional design. On the right and left sides of the speaker you’ll find illuminated LED strips, as well as some colored LED lights that sit behind the grille.
The most important part of this speaker design is probably the control panel that sits on top of the model’s panel. Here you will find all the buttons you need to control the operation of the speaker – including a button to turn the speaker on and off, Bluetooth connection for smartphones and other devices, volume control, play and pause buttons and call management.
There’s also a Live button that adds a three-dimensional sound to your sound, but I’ll talk more about what I think below.
With a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz, there are two speakers (2.5 by 2.8 inches) and 0.8 tweeters behind the grille to boost this frequency range.
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And as one of the XB43’s most popular design features, this speaker has an IP67 waterproof rating, and as long as you keep the panel closed, you don’t have to worry about accidental water damage. The waterproof design is durable enough to withstand most accidental water damage—for example, if the speaker falls into a pool or falls into a pool—but a few feet of water can still cause damage.
That includes salt water, so the XB43 is durable enough to handle a day at the beach if need be. And if you’re worried that ordinary dirt or dust will affect your sound quality, the speaker is both dirt and water resistant.
Now that I’ve covered how the design works, it’s time to look at the best features of the XB43.
With these two LED lights on the edges of the speaker, you have the option to change colors or even make the lights change with hits. While this isn’t a make-or-break XB43 feature, it can come in handy at parties or events – especially in low light, where the flashes and changing colors really pop. To change the colors or light mode, you’ll need to fiddle with the speaker controls.
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Since it’s a Bluetooth speaker that connects to your phone, you can enjoy hands-free calls and receive phone calls with the XB43. While this might not be much of a side feature, hands-free calling is still useful when you’re using the speaker by itself or in a situation where extra volume is really important.
The XB43 features “Live Sound” which adds a three-dimensional quality to the sound and is a side effect. At parties or events, live sound can have its advantages – but it’s not one of my favorite features of the XB43, and you’ll find you can get by without it.
If you have multiple speakers, you can use the Party Connection feature – which allows you to connect to a hundred different wireless speakers via Bluetooth. The sound (and lights) are perfectly synchronized, making the feature incredibly useful for those big events and parties.
You’ll often hear the XB43 referred to as a portable speaker, and it is. Since it’s wireless, there’s no need to worry about lugging wires or cables around with it (unless you plan to charge it), and the speaker’s square shape is easy enough to carry in one hand.
Srs Xb43 Bluetooth® Party Speaker With Extra Bass™
Note that it’s a little heavier than most wireless speakers at over six pounds, but the extra weight doesn’t stop it from becoming a chore to carry around.
Battery life is an important part of any wireless speaker, especially if you take it with you on the go or at an event. While Sony boasts that the XB43 can last a full 24 hours on a single charge, it’s more realistic for the XB43 to last around 15 hours (with lights) before needing to be charged again. Things like STAMINA mode or EXTRA BASS can affect battery life as well as your overall listening experience.
If you want to reach full battery life, you will need to turn off the lights and turn on STAMINA mode.
There is also a small power saving feature when the speaker is not in use. After fifteen minutes of inactivity, the speaker will turn off automatically. However, if you want to do without this feature, you can always change this setting.
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While the XB43 certainly has good sound quality for a wireless speaker, it can fall short in some areas – especially high-frequency sounds. Most midrange and midrange sounds are crisp and clear, but if you have something higher in frequency, it can sound a little louder than it should.
While the EXTRA BASS feature is one of the cornerstones of this product, it doesn’t always reproduce low bass as crisply as you’d expect from a top-of-the-line model. Of course, if you’re using Sony gear to manage the sound settings and dynamics, you might be able to get clear bass – but it might take some work.
The XB43 is at its best when used at medium to low volumes. If you try to use it at maximum volume, you may notice some compression with the sound – so the speaker is better for personal use than for large parties or parties.
Ultimately, I found the XB43 to have good sound quality for a speaker in its class, but I’m still a little surprised at how average this speaker’s performance is – especially as a new Sony model.
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The XB43 is still a great choice for poolside or camping, but its sound quality falls a little short as a party speaker for large events.
While I’ve reviewed the features and design of the XB43, let’s take a look at the general pros and cons that come with looking at this model.
While there’s a lot to like about the Sony SRS-XB43 as a wireless, portable, and waterproof speaker, I was surprised by how average this model turned out to be during testing. Although there is an EXTRA BASS function, those lows and high frequencies are not as clear as you would expect from a Sony product or a high-end speaker.
Even if it falls short in some areas, the XB43 still works well for personal use, especially if you’re on the go. It’s light enough to keep in a bag, and if it gets a little cold, you don’t have to worry about water damage. For personal use and better power, the XB43 is a steal, but if you’re looking for more performance, you might want to consider another Bluetooth speaker. Golf Cart Under $50 iPhone Sonos Google Ultimate Apple Ears
Sony Black Xb43 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
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The Sony SRS-XB43 is a well-built portable speaker that can be used outdoors or vertically. It has a light fixture and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, proving that it’s completely dustproof and can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. Like many Sony speakers that have been tested, it supports ClearAudio+, which ad to adjust the pitch of your speaker to your voice. Unfortunately, even with EXTRA BASS and Sony ClearAudio+ enabled, the XB43 has an uneven sound profile that struggles to reproduce weak bass. His voice level is also uneven and tight. There is, however, a graphic EQ included in the Sony Music Center companion app that you can use to customize your sound to your liking.
Sony XB43 is fair for music. It has a balanced midrange that ensures vocals and instruments sound clear in the mix as well. However, underemphasized treble can make the treble dull or veiled. You also
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