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Sony’s best low-cost Bluetooth speaker was the SRS-XB12. It was a cheap way to get into portable audio, and its performance was surprising for its size. Its successor, the all-new Sony SRS-XB13, will now carry that torch. It costs a little more at $59 (about £40 or AU$80), but Sony made the speaker with better sound dispersion and 360-degree audio so that everyone at a party, beach, or campfire can hear the music no matter where they sit.
For people who like to be outside, it has an IP67 rating, which means it can stand up to water and dust. Sony also says that the built-in microphone for phone calls has been improved… We wouldn’t suggest using it in that way, though. After testing the Sony SRS-XB13, we think it’s a good ultra-budget option if you can’t spend more than $60, but the sound quality, low maximum volume, bad call quality, and long charging time are all big problems.
Sony SRS-XB13 specifications
| Item Weight | 563 g |
| Item model number | SRSXB13B_K1 |
| Product Dimensions | 21.08 x 16 x 11.94 cm; 563 Grams |
| Peak Power Handling – Speakers | 10 Watts |
Sony SRS-XB13 review: Design
Even though the price of the Sony SRS-XB13 is very attractive, most people choose Sony’s smaller speakers because they are light, small, and easy to carry. This year, you can also say that they are dustproof and waterproof thanks to their IP67 rating. The shape is kind of like a fat soda can; it’s short, round, and wide.
It might fit in a cup holder in your car, but the strap makes it clear that you can hang it from your backpack. A grille protects a standard 1.5-inch driver at the top of the speaker, while a passive radiator on the bottom improves bass response. The controls are on the side, which is also where the USB-C port that charges the speaker is hidden. You can buy this speaker from its official website.
Sony SRS-XB13 review: Features
The Sony SRS-XB13 is a small Bluetooth speaker that is resistant to dust and water (IP67) and has a big sound for its size. But other products, like the Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker, have similar specs and features but cost much less. Is it still a good idea to buy a Sony SRS-XB13? Read this review to find out.
Sony SRS-XB13 review: Sound quality
When it comes to sound quality, you can only expect so much from a cheap speaker. However, the way the speaker is made means that you hear the same sound no matter where you stand in relation to it. Even when the volume is turned all the way up to 100%, it’s not that loud. It will be fine for small groups to listen to, but it won’t be loud enough to play at a party.
Sony SRS-XB13 review: Price and availability
Beginning in June 2021, the Sony SRS-XB13 will replace the XB12. Some stores are already making the switch. The SRS-XB13 starts at $59 (about £40 or AU$80), but that price could go down when the speaker goes on sale later this year, such as on Black Friday 2021. That price is actually pretty good for a Bluetooth speaker. It’s not the cheapest we’ve seen, but it’s a lot less than the competition, which usually sells for around $100 (£80, AU$150).
Final Words
The Sony SRS-XB13 is a decent music player. It has a fairly boomy sound with a well-balanced midrange that makes vocals and lead instruments stand out and sound clear. But, like most small speakers, it has trouble reproducing low bass, so you can’t feel the thump and rumble in music with a lot of bass. It also doesn’t get very loud and turns stereo content into mono, which may not sound as immersive. It can play stereo music when paired with another device, but we don’t test this because we’d have to buy another device.
Sony SRS-XB13 Ratings
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Diffused sound
- Balanced sound quality
Cons
- Requires two units for stereo sound.
- No graphic EQ or presets.
FAQs
Why is my SRS-XB13 so quiet?
When the following things happen, the sound may get quiet. There’s nothing wrong with this. When the built-in battery is running low and the CHARGE indicator flashes slowly while the speaker is only being powered by the built-in battery.
Is Sony SRS XB13 loud?
The Sony SRS-XB13 is fine to take outside. Even though it can’t get very loud, there aren’t many compression artefacts at maximum volume, so your audio sounds clean at higher volumes. This well-made speaker is very portable and is rated IP67 for resistance to dust and water, but we don’t test for this.
Is the Sony XB13 good?
The $60 Sony SRS-XB13 is one of the best-sounding monophonic personal speakers we have come across. With its small size and single speaker, there’s only so much you can do with it, but Sony seems to have made the most of what they had to work with in terms of sound quality.