For anyone looking to pick up a portable Bluetooth speaker that can be used outdoors, the Sony SRS-XB23 is a great option after this Black Friday discount. Sony is a household name in audio products, and its EXTRA BASS line of speakers boast impressive audio performance that many of its rivals can't match.
While smart speakers might be the popular option now, manufacturers still release standard Bluetooth speakers, many of which deliver better audio than their smart speaker counterparts. Sony is one of the biggest brands in this segment, but it has several rivals too, including Logitech-owned Ultimate Ears, Bose, and Anker.
The Sony SRS-XB23 Extra Bass Portable Wireless Speaker usually sells for $109.99, but for Black Friday, Amazon is selling it for $64, which is almost 42 percent off the original price. At that price, it is a no-brainer for anyone looking for a great outdoor speaker or even a portable speaker to use around the home. It is available to buy in several colors, including Black, Blue, Red, and Taupe.
A Great Outdoor Wireless Speaker
Before diving into the audio performance of the Sony SRS-XB23 Extra Bass Portable Wireless Speaker, it's important to mention its design. Sporting a cylindrical body with an IP67 rating, the speaker is waterproof, rustproof, dustproof, and shockproof. It is clear that Sony's speaker can take a beating and will survive immersion in water, a day at the beach, or a hike, even when it is drizzling. The speaker is slim enough to fit into the cupholder of a camp chair and also has a removable strap that allows it to be hung on a hook or attached to a bag when hiking.
What makes the SRS-XB23 Extra Bass churn out impressive sound is what Sony calls the X-Balanced Speaker Unit. Unlike most conventional speakers that have a circular diaphragm, Sony's speaker uses a non-circular diaphragm is shaped like an egg. This non-circular shape reduces distortion as it is able to reduce driver excursion and maintain sound pressure at the same time. Furthermore, its off-center design and optimized weight balance helps enhance sound clarity and widen the soundstage.
In addition to the two speaker units, the XB23 Extra Bass Portable Wireless Speaker also has two passive radiators on the side that have been optimized for clear bass sound reproduction. Sony doesn't stop there. With up to 12 hours of battery life (up to 10 hours in EXTRS BASS mode), Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, and support for USB-C charging, Sony's speaker ticks all the boxes for what a portable speaker should have. The Sony speaker also has microphones for hands-free calls and can be paired with up to 100 compatible speakers with Party Connect mode.
Source: Amazon