Sony SRS-XP700 Review: Great Sound Always With You

Life would be boring without music. Whether you’re listening to your favorite hits in the background, throwing a karaoke party, or any functions – in any setting, sound has to be at its best. For such situations, the SRS-XP700 best sound portable Bluetooth speaker from Sony is needed, which is endowed with excellent battery life. Let us tell you more about the new wireless Bluetooth speaker in this Sony SRS XP700 review.

Size matters

The Sony SRS XP700 is a true portable giant. There are two convenient carrying handles, but you won’t be able to get far with the speaker, as it weighs around 17kg. However, it is also possible to move it from room to room or bring it in a car. The speaker’s design is rigid and concise – somewhat reminiscent of professional acoustics, used at concerts.

The matte black body without pretentious elements allows you to fit the accessory into any interior. However, as soon as you turn on the SRS-XP700, the device starts playing with bright colors. It’s all about the lighting and music system: It works with pulsating stripes built into the carrying handle. Especially in the dark, the backlight looks impressive – it flickers in different colors and creates a party atmosphere.

Have you decided to take this sony portable speaker outside? There is no problem. The speaker has an IPX4 rating, so there’s no fear of accidental splashes, spilled drinks on the speaker grill, and a little rain. Just remember to close the cover with the connectors on the back. Front speakers are protected by mesh metal. The Sony XP700 can be used both vertically and horizontally – for this, there are special rubberized feet at the ends and side panels.

The controls are simple: there are volume control keys, Party Boost, Play, and Pause, and the power and pairing buttons are located in the center panel, highlighted in color and backlit.

Connectivity

The Sony SRS XP700 speaker connects to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth or using the audio jack. No wonder – everything is simple, like any other portable Bluetooth speaker. We launch the desired playlist on the smartphone and drop it into a special recess in the case of the audio system – you get a kind of DJ console. Supported codecs from Sony are SBC, AAC, and proprietary LDAC.

The SRS-XP700 can be connected not only to a smartphone – even an electric guitar can be used as a sound source, thanks to the 1/4 jack port in the column. To adjust volume and guitar gain using the levers, simply press the corresponding buttons on the body. There is also a microphone input – nothing prevents you from having a karaoke party or using the speaker for lectures and classes in large audiences. And the two USB inputs are convenient for recharging gadgets during parties. Of course, you can listen to music from a regular flash drive, without connecting a mobile phone to the system.

The controls are simple: there are keys for power, volume, pause, and play, enable Bluetooth pairing, and launch the Mega Bass function. On the back are the lighting control buttons, Party Connect, and guitar sound controls.

For greater fine-tuning, two mobile applications are provided simultaneously. The first is Sony Music Center. It allows you to adjust various power-saving functions, switch between playback modes like Live Sound and Mega Bass, and control the backlight. The second utility is Fiestable. It comes in handy for controlling the party acoustics. For example, multiple users can sync their playlists to play their favorite tracks one by one. There is an equalizer with flexible voice controls, vocal evaluation, and karaoke mode with various effects, as well as speaker control functions using voice or gestures.

Unforgettable sound

The speaker copes well with its main task: the sound quality is excellent, the volume reserve is impressive. At least in the apartment, you start worrying about running into problems with the neighbors. The portable Bluetooth speaker is ideal for outdoor or spacious rooms, where you can turn all the sliders to full and enjoy driving music. Bass is powerful, vocals are clear – even tracks don’t merge into the pulp when listening to dance hits or hard rock music.

A separate button activates the Mega Bass mode. In this, the speaker not only bangs to the limit but also reproduces a pleasant sound without wheezing, which is not overpowered by other frequencies. Two 17cm front speakers account for the low end – a solid indicator for nominally portable wireless Bluetooth speakers. Large cone surface area increases sound pressure for a better listening experience.

Four tweeters are responsible for the rest of the spectrum. Three 6cm speakers are located on the front panel and one 5cm speaker on the back. This design makes the sound more expansive and all-encompassing, just like the shape of the Signature X-Balanced speaker. It doesn’t matter which side of the speaker the party has people on, the music will please everyone equally, without exception.

In addition to Bass Boost, there’s a Live Sound mode that plays any song as if it were playing in an actual concert. However, even without the extra functions, the Sony SRS XP700 plays in a way that makes you want to listen to your favorite tracks again – on professional-level acoustics, additional nuances and instruments are revealed that cannot be heard on ordinary speakers or headphones. Plus, the new product works great as a soundbar for a TV—powerful subwoofers deliver bass and booming thunder, which enhances immersion in movies, and four woofers perfectly transmit any audio effects. Firefighters, the roar of engines, explosions – everything sounds almost like it does in modern cinema.

For a multi-room setup, the speaker can be connected to other Sony speakers with the Party Connect. In total, up to 100 devices are supported – enough to provide great sound for the entire city.

Battery life

The column received a built-in battery. The seller does not disclose the battery capacity. However, the declared operating time is 25 hours at medium volume – a solid indicator for such powerful acoustics.

In our Sony SRS XP700 review, we also found similar results—about 24 hours with the Mega Bass, no backlight, and 50% of max volume. If you move away from civilization and crank up the sound all the way, the charge will last up to 5 hours. It also supports quick charge – 10 minutes of plugging into an outlet provides about 3 hours of operation at moderate volume. However, the total battery fill time is around 3 hours.

X-Series speakers for every task

The new Sony series includes three models – the SRS-XP700, SRS-XP500, and SRS-XG500. Our Sony SRS XP700 review unit is the biggest one, most powerful, and autonomous in the line. The SRS-XP500 is slightly smaller and weighs 11.2kg, making it easy to take with you to the park or the beach. The device got four speakers – two high-frequency and two low-frequency. Said operating time is up to 20 hours. There’s a Mega Bass function, two USB inputs for flash drives and powering other devices, as well as fast charging.

The SRS-XG500 is the most portable model in this series. It uses a durable water-repellent mesh that prevents water and dust from entering inside the case. IP66 protection allows you not to be afraid to leave the speaker on the beach and for its safety even during heavy rain. The device received a convenient carrying handle, bright lighting, two powerful subwoofers, and a pair of tweeters. The column can operate for up to 30 hours at an average volume level.

Sony SRS-XP700 Specifications

• Number of bands: 2
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
• Ports: 2 x USB-A, 1 x Mic input, 1 x Guitar input, 1 x AUX
• Battery: up to 25 hours of music playback at medium volume
• Dimensions: 31.3 x 69.3 x 36.7 cm
• Weight: 16.9 kg

Final line

The Sony SRS-XP700 best sound portable Bluetooth speaker has high power, excellent sound quality, long battery life, and bright party lighting. There’s a wide range of ports, a handy mobile app, and the ability to combine multiple speakers into one audio system—great for outdoor concerts and large venues. It is a smart model for a connoisseur of high-quality audio in a portable format.

The SRS-XP700 isn’t very expensive at $448 on Amazon.com and Bestbuy.com, or £399.50 on Amazon.co.uk, but it isn’t very good either. You can also find smaller Bluetooth speakers in the same series as we mentioned above.

If you want the loudest output and long playback time, the SRS-XP700 has those things going for it. If not, we recommend that you should go for the JBL Charge 5 (REVIEW) instead. And yes, how did you like this Sony SRS XP700 review, do tell in the comment below.