If you ask us, Sony has been leading the house party speakers segment along with LG. Sony speakers are not super expensive like some of the others, but they deliver superb sound, which is comparable to some of the best (more expensive ones) out there. The latest entrant is the Sony SRS XG500, which came to our testing table. This is the Sony SRS XG500 review, which you all need to read before buying.
Sony SRS XG500 review: Design
When it comes to design, anything that comes from the warehouse of Sony has far superior quality than the rest. They always try to give something fresh, whether it is something as simple as a headphone or the Sony PlayStation 5. Sony SRS XG500 is no different, it is something new and fresh. To start with, this is a massive 5Kg+ (weight) wireless Bluetooth speaker that has a handle running across the top with the Sony branding on it. But still, it is very luggable and this is something we are seeing for the first time.
Yes, they do remind us of a Conga drum, but to be frank, the design works for us. The Sony SRS XG500 is wrapped in a mesh-type cloth that runs from top to bottom and left to right. The outlook is black entangled with white thread, which looks like the night sky. The same can be seen on the side woofers.
The font top has rubberised buttons, which include the volume, power, Bluetooth and Mega Bass button that enhances the bass of any song. Underneath you will find a large rubber footing to neatly place it on any flat surface. Spin it around and you will find the ports panel, neatly tucked behind a thick rubber wall. Now you must be wondering why is there so much rubber on the Sony SRS XG500 wireless party speaker. Well, these speakers are meant for outdoor use as well, which is why Sony has got an IP66 rating for them. This means they are water-resistant and dustproof. But this does not mean you drop them in the pool, but accidental splashes on it won’t ruin them.
The ports on the Sony SRS XG500 include a couple of USB ports (which can be used to charge your smartphone too), power, 3.5mm audio-in and a special guitar or MIC auxiliary port. Just in case you are in the mood for some Karaoke, you can do that with Sony SRS XG500. Sadly, the mic is not part of the package. The last thing we want to talk about in the design department is the lights. Yes, you do get ambient LED lights on both side woofers. These dance as per the tunes you are listening to, but in case you want to control them, you can download the Sony Music Centre App and do so.
Sony SRS XG500 review: Performance
Oh boy! Where do we even begin? The Sony SRS XG500 portable speakers are absolute headbangers. The sound is incredible and one of the best we have seen from any portable speaker from the Japanese major. Consumers get an array of speakers here. In total there are 6 speakers on the Sony SRS XG500. There are two square style X-balanced speakers in the front (middle), with twin high-efficiency tweeters next to them on each side (placed behind the cloth mesh) and two passive radiator audio drivers on both sides.
These are built to give you the best sound experience, no matter where you are. We tested the Sony SRS XG500 with a lot of things and devices. We played music from Amazon Music and YouTube, we saw few Netflix shows connecting it to a projector and we played 320kbps songs via our smartphone using Bluetooth and not once did this extra-large portable speaker give us a chance to bicker. It kept surprising us. For a party speaker, it truly is one. It can easily fill a large to extra large living room with wonderful sound. You can also take it out to the pool or even to the roof deck and throw a party without the need of a DJ.
The verbal audio is crystal clear, the bass is deep, and the music does not crack even at full volume. Behind this rubber wall, you will find additional buttons on the Sony SRS XG500. These include a button that will tell you battery left, one is for enabling the guitar mode, another turns the lights on or off and the last one is for party connect. Yes, you can connect multiple Sony SRS XG500’s to each other or any other party connect compatible speaker to it.
As for the battery life, Sony says the SRS XG500 can last for 30 hours. But on our test bench, it needed a recharge after about 29 hours. So, what Sony says is just about right. Since a large power brick is also supplied with the speaker, it can fast charge the device and you can get 3 hours of wireless music playback with 10 minutes of charge. Over that, there are a couple of sound modes available on the app as well, which can be accessed via any iOS or Android device.
Verdict
At Rs 32,999 are the Sony SRS XG500 wireless BT speakers worth it? That is a definite yes. When compared to the likes of Bose or Sennheiser, these party speakers give you a lot of features and most of all, portability. You can grab them by the handle and take them anywhere. We loved them and so will you. It will be money well spent.
Pros:
Excellent audio
Good design
Ambient lights
Cons:
A bit heavy
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