I saw this in-store, and I am just contemplating which one to buy compared to JBL/UE:-
Sony XB20 $78 - Normally $149 requires USB Charger, but comes with cable
Sony XB30 $157 - Normally $229
They also come in a few different colours, which I'll add when I have a chance. The SB20 is cheaper than the Entry level XB10 at $79
As per a below message, it appears to be at Officeworks & JB Hifi.
Thank you. I have amended the title.
For added bass power, just hit the EXTRA BASS button. Yehaaw
Have the XB30, battery life is very good. Stated as 24 hours. I've never measured, but I rarely charge it at all, as in barely once a week. if that.
I am doing some research, and it says that the XB30 doesn't use USB (micro) to charge Is that correct?
Yes. Unfortunately, it uses one of those 5V DC Chargers. (Similar to this: https://img.banggood.com/thumb/water/upload/2014/11/chong2/4…)
Price was $146 in JB-HiFi last week when i bought one.
Flip 4 or XB20?
XB20. Sounds better and is $40 cheaper.
Awesome deal. Both are easily the best sounding BT speakers in their price-range. Way better than UE (terrible speakers for the price).
I'd also take either Sony over the comparable JBL models. The Flip 4 has way too much high end and is on the verge of being painful in some tracks, while the Charge 3 is very muffled and misses lots of detail in the highs. Both JBLs can sound good with EQ but you can't save EQ settings to the speaker's memory like the Sonys which is annoying if you swap between speakers/headphones often.
If you need waterproofing, get the JBLs as the Sonys are only splash-proof. Battery life is pretty similar between comparable models but the XB30 has a "feature" where after 3 hours of playing at full volume it lowers the volume to 20% and will keep going for 12 hours until dying completely. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me as without this "feature" it'd probably last 5 hours playing at full volume. So on that note the JBL Charge 3 wins if you need longer than 3 hours playtime at full volume (will last around 5-6hrs). Also, the XB30 has a propriety charger which is a bit of a downer (can't charge it in the car and SOL if you happen to lose or break it).
I'm in the market for one too and have been listening to the JBL, Sony and UE at JB Hifi. UE sounded the worst, with Sony being slightly ahead of the JBL. Sony was more crisp than the JBL. I want something waterproof though so will most likely go for the JBL unless I find something else to throw my money at. The UE's were all scratched up on the display, so it's not off to a good start.
Are you leaning towards the Flip 4 or Charge 3? If you want it for pool use I'd get the Charge 3 as the Flip 4 will sink to the bottom while the Charge 3 floats.
Charge 3 is top of the list so far. Was about to buy it today buy am eyeing a new sub for my home theatre instead haha.
Guys you can lessen the bass on Charge 3 by pressing 2 buttons ( bluetooth & -) hold down both untill all the lights flash and you have a different sound signature. This helps lessen the bass and the mid/high details become more prominent.
According to this video doing that puts it into "low frequency mode" and removes the internal limiter which will increase bass frequencies at higher volumes. While the uploader did say it lowers bass at low volumes, leaving it in this mode and accidentally turning up the volume on a bass heavy track could easily blow the speakers.
I had the same dilemma between the JBL and Sony.
IMHO, Sony sounded better so I bought it.
The only regret about the JBL was that it was waterproof.
Realistically, I dont need waterproof speakers though so I am content with the SONY.
Newbie question;
Does the “Add an extra speaker for room-filling stereo sound” mean these speakers are mono or add an extra speaker for X2 stereo?
I think they are Mono, which I think most of these are.
It's actually capable of both stereo or mono according to: http://helpguide.sony.net/speaker/srs-xb30/v1/en/contents/TP…
By connecting two SRS-XB30 speakers via BLUETOOTH, you can select audio reproduction between stereo mode (stereo sound) and double mode (monaural sound).
This also applies to the SRS-XB20 model.
Bought two XB20's with 5% discounted JB gift cards. Thanks OP! :)
Same price at JB HiFi and Officeworks.