Sony preferred to stick to the basics with their XB31 speaker, choosing not to integrate some smart features (like the integration with the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa). But this isn't necessarily a negative, as this feature comes with higher-end speakers that cost a lot more and (ironically) have a rather clunky implementation.
As a whole, the Sony SRS XB31 does nothing special, it doesn't innovate at all, it doesn't break the boundaries for this category, but doesn't break the bank either.Specs
- Speaker type: Full-range
- Dimensions: 231mm x 87mm x 81mm
- Weight: 890g
- IP67 rating, rust-proof
- Frequency Range: 20 - 20000Hz
- Drivers: dual 48mm, passive subwoofer
- Battery size: 4500mAh
- Battery life: 24h (more on this shortly)
- Ports: Micro USB, Audio-Out, USB type A (power out only)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
- Integrated microphone
- Price (at the time of the review): 169.90 € (Amazon.de)
- Where to buy: https://amzn.to/2SWf2Xb
Unboxing
Inside the box, you don't get much: there's the speaker, a 0.5m micro USB cable and the manual. I have no complaints here.
Design, app, features
Compared to its competitors from brands like JBL and Ultimate Ears, Sony's SRS-XB31 looks a little bit boring or conventional, yet very stylish and professional. This may be because of the dark colour of the mesh covering the unit on all sides. There are more eye-catching colour options available for those who don't want a visually-mundane looking party speaker.
Thankfully, this underwhelming and mostly inoffensive look only really lasts until you turn it on. There is an RGB light bar around the edges of the device which lights up as soon as you turn the unit on, tho you can turn it off if you hold the 'BATT' button underneath the rubber flap un the back for 3 seconds. By default, this light show is set to a so-called 'Rave' mode, which looks all right but it doesn't always synchronize with the music.
You get more customization options once you download the Sony Music Center app. Once you've installed it and connected your speaker, you are able to toggle the illumination on the SRS-XB31 between about a dozen presets. Unfortunately, you can't create your own. You can also switch between extra bass, live sound and standard modes.
The app also allows you to use the party-chain function, which links up to 10 compatible speakers from Sony's own line-up. You can also do this using the buttons on the back of the speaker, but the procedure is more complicated than using the app.
Another useful feature is the IP rating. In a nutshell, the IP67 rating means you can take the SRS-XB31 to the beach, leave it in the sand, then go to a pool party, drop it in the pool and wash it in the sink if it gets dirty or even take a shower with it.
On the negative side, the app often has trouble establishing a connection to the speaker, even if the phone on which the app is installed is already connected via Bluetooth.
In addition, the lighting on the SRS-XB31 doesn't add that much, most people don't care about this feature and will disable it to save battery. Removing it altogether could have shaved some cost off this product and wouldn't have affected the experience at all.
Another small issue for a device released in 2018 is the lack of a USB Type C connector for charging. Sony decided to opt for the micro USB connector and the large 4500mAh battery supports quick charge technology.
Since the speaker is packing this large battery, Sony decided to add a power bank feature to this speaker, meaning that they added a USB type A port on the back where you can plug something like a smartphone in to charge it. I'm not sure about the utility of this feature: the advertised battery life (24 hours of play time) is very optimistic: with the default settings you never get even a bit close to that claim: the best I always get with the lighting effects on and Live Sound mode is about 5 hours. Imagine how much playtime you would get if you were to plug a phone in to charge it.
Ah, and before I forget: there's another useless feature called "Party Booster" that creates different sounds if you tap the speaker on different sides. Thankfully you can turn this off and it's disabled by default. I have no idea why anyone would want to use this.
Sound
When it comes to sound quality, the SRS-XB31 certainly lives up to its branding when it comes to the extra bass. Compared to other speakers, notably the UE Megablast see it struggling, but in fairness, the Megablast is far more expensive and a lot bulkier. Compared to the JBL Charge 3 or Flip 4 put it well above them in every way (other than the lacklustre battery life, of course).
Generally speaking though, this speaker sounds pretty good. As the name (and the branding around the product) suggests, the sound signature ends up leaning pretty heavy on the bass (especially if the speaker is set to the default 'extra bass' mode - as the mids and highs tend to be covered by the strong bass). I found that this speaker sounds best with the 'Live Sound' mode turned on. It gives the impression of a more "3D" sound experience and also amplifies the otherwise difficult-to-perceive mids and highs while maintaining the extra bass.
If the kind of music you plan to listen to on this speaker benefits from the extra bass, you'll love the SRS-XB31. For example, Muse's "Simulation Theory" album as well as Ed Sheeran's pop songs sound great because most songs emphasise the bass, but heavy metal songs like System of a Down's "B.Y.O.B." sounds muddy and too 'bassy'.
Notably, I found that the Sony SRS-XB31's sound is heavily influenced by the surface it's placed on: it sounds best on anything that isn't too thin or hollow (and can't resonate with the bass).
Bottom line
The SRS-XB31 isn't necessarily pushing forward any sort of great innovation for the category - but it doesn't feel like Sony was trying to anyway.
Sony isn't one of the most iconic and recognisable brands in the consumer electronics world for no reason. Most of the time, they deliver the goods when it comes to value. And this is one of those times. If the target is offering a mostly solid party speaker with arguably fun features and an appealing price point, the SRS-XB31 hits the spot.
I wouldn't necessarily push the competition out of the way completely to put the SRS-XB31 on a pedestal as the king of portable speakers that you can buy right now. However, at the same time, if you're just looking for a good value portable speaker that's heavy on the bass, buy it and ignore all gimmicky features.
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