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The XB43 boasts “Live Sound,” which adds a three-dimensional quality to the audio and is marketed as the speaker’s party mode. At certain events, live festival sound can have its benefits – but it’s not one of my favorite features in the XB43, and you’ll probably find that you can go without it. Party Connect Now that I’ve covered how the design works, it’s time to go over the best features of the XB43. LED Light Modes If you do want it to reach that full battery life, you’ll need to keep the lights off and turn on STAMINA mode. Android users can easily connect the speakers with NFC, ie you just place the phone next to the NFC logo on the speaker. iPhone users need to pair with the usual method of finding the speaker in the Bluetooth list on their phone.
Weighing a little over six pounds, the Sony SRS-XB43 isn’t the most lightweight Bluetooth speaker on the market, but it does have a functional design. On the right and left ends of the speaker, you’ll find LED bands that light up as well as more pale LED lights that sit behind the grille.Other Bluetooth portables at similar price-points may boast a longer battery life, but remember that they often fall away for features. Turn those lights off via the Sony app and you'll doubtless get a speaker that'll keep going for 24 hours.
The Sony SRS-XB43 delivers a fairly contrasted audio performance overall, with very satisfying results for certain sound attributes, but disappointing results for others. With an overall score of 122, the SRS-XB43 ranks below similarly-priced competitors, and is even a few points below the top-ranked speaker in our Essential Wireless Speakers category. There’s also a Live button that adds a three-dimensional stereo sound to your audio, but I’ll talk more about what I think of that below. In the Sony Music Center app for Android and iOS, a one-size-fits-all option for various Sony products, the SRS-XB43’s extra features include user-adjustable EQ (useful for fine-tuning the sculpted sound signature) and various sound effects. You can also control the LED strips, choosing from a variety of color schemes, or simply turning them all off. There are various other useful power settings for preserving battery life. Keep in mind that it is a little heavier than some wireless speakers at over six pounds, but the extra weight isn’t so detrimental that it becomes a chore to carry around while you stream music. Battery Life Sony estimates the SRS-XB43’s battery life to be roughly 24 hours, but your results will vary with your volume levels. Performance
On the audio side of things, the SRS-XB43 houses the proprietary X-Balanced Speaker Unit, working hand in hand with dual passive radiators. Sony promises that its technology provides a “blend of deep, punchy bass and clear, natural vocals” and “powerful sound pressure” for “a richer, deeper listening experience.” There is still no support for aptX over Bluetooth, but Android users can enjoy Sony’s LDAC codec. This has much higher bandwidth and thus also better sound – close to uncompressed quality. The Sony SRS-XB33 has surprisingly potent sound for its size. Photo: Sony SRS-XB33: The middle of the class On paper, Sony XB speakers offer quality build and plenty of features at competitive prices. We've yet to get the range in to thoroughly test that extra bass claim (an especially bold assertion considering one is the size of a stubby Coke can), but the app's EQ functions plus the various light shows represent great value for money in a speaker – if you like that kind of thing.
Battery life is a crucial part of any wireless speaker, especially if you’re bringing it with you on the go or to an event. While Sony boasts that the XB43 can last a full 24-hours off a single charge, it’s a little more realistic for the XB43 to last around 15 hours (with the lights on) before it needs to be charged up again. Things like STAMINA mode or EXTRA BASS can affect how long the battery actually lasts as well as your entire listening experience. Provided the cover for this panel is closed, the SRS-XB43 has an IP67 rating, which is excellent for a portable speaker. It can withstand exposure to dirt and dust, and is waterproof up to 3.2 feet, so it’ll be just fine in the rain or by a pool. Sony even claims the SRS-XB43 is salt water resistant, making it a good option to take to the beach. Only compatible between SRS-XB43, SRS-XB33, SRS-XB23. When watching movies using the Party Connect function, there may be a gap between video and audio. The speakers can play in party mode, which means that the speakers are wirelessly connected and play the same music. You can also connect two in stereo, but then you must have the same speaker model. I only have one of each, and the XB33 and XB43 cannot be connected as a stereo pair. I would not recommend it anyway, as it is a point that the two sound the same. The mic offers solid intelligibility. Using the Voice Memos app on an iPhone 8, we understood every word we recorded, and while there was a little bit of Bluetooth distortion around the edges, the mic signal was strong. Conclusions
Sub-scores explained
While I’ve gone over the features and design of the XB43, let’s take a look at the general pros and cons that come with considering this model. Pros With those two LED lights on the edges of the speaker, you have the option to change colors or even let the lights change with the beats. While it’s not a make-or-break feature for the XB43, it can be useful at parties or events – especially in low lighting where those flashing and changing colors really pop. To change the colors or the light mode, you’ll need to play around with the controls on the speaker. Hands-Free Calling
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