Sony regularly updates its range of portable wireless speakers for outdoor activities, karaoke and more. The first among the new products is the SRS-XB13. This tiny speaker is about three and a half inches high and about three inches wide. The short cylinder features Sony’s Extra Bass technology for “crisp, punchy bass and powerful sound.” The XB13 also features a sound diffusion processor that delivers “rich dynamic sound” even in such a tiny object. The device is IP67 dust and water resistant with UV coating for added outdoor protection. The XB13 can be used for hands-free calls, and together they are ready to become a stereo pair. And this is with 16 hours of battery life.
Sony also unveiled three new models in its X Series for real parties. The SRS-XP500 and SRS-XP700 models have customizable LED lighting, are IPX4 waterproof and have a convenient phone / tablet holder for your DJ device. Both feature Sony X-Balance square speakers for “powerful bass” and “less distortion” with the option to activate the Mega Bass setting. Both the XP500 and XP700 have two 1/4-inch mic or instrument inputs with independent volume controls and support party mode with multiple Sony devices in sync.
There are several key differences between the SRS-XP500 and SRS-XP700. Both can be positioned vertically or horizontally, but only on the XP700 the speakers are automatically reconfigured depending on how the device is positioned. The XP700 has an optional rear tweeter to spread sound in larger rooms. Sony says the XP500 can last up to 20 hours on a single charge, while the XP700 can support up to 25 hours of music. Both have a quick charge feature that will give you 80 minutes (XP500) and 3 hours (XP700) of use after 10 minutes of plugging in.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is a boombox model with thinner ring lights at the ends. The device has an IP66 degree of protection against dust and water, and it is wrapped in a water-repellent mesh, drops of liquid simply run off from it. Sony says the outer fabric is easy to clean. There is one 1/4-inch input for microphone or guitar, and one USB port for charging the device while playing music. The XG500 offers 30 hours of battery life with a 10-minute quick charge, giving you three hours of use as a last resort.
The XP500, XP700 and XG500 models work with the Sony Music Center app and receive an updated Remastered DSP (digital signal processing) that has been reconfigured for a genre-free sound profile. The company’s Fiestable app offers color customization for built-in LED lighting.
