Amazon is now offering Sony’s previous-generation SRS-XB13 EXTRA BASS Bluetooth Speaker for $34.99 shipped. Down the usual $58 going rate, today’s offer lands at a new 2023 low as only the second discount of the year. It’s $13 under our previous mention from back in July, too. Sony’s now previous-generation XB13 speaker arrives with a compact and portable build that’s backed by 16 hours of playback on a single charge. It’s sealed with an IP67 water-resistance rating for tagging along to the beach or pool this summer, and even has an integrated strap for placing it just about anywhere. Below we break down how it compares to the newer XB100, but the long and short of it is that the $10 difference in price gets you better audio performance with Sony’s latest. If you can live with that, the savings are easily worth it for such a fun form-factor. Otherwise, get all of the details down below.
Sony just launched its more recent XB100 speaker that we reviewed, delivering a similar design to the one that’s on sale above. As for how the two portable speakers from Sony compare, both of these come housed within a similar form-factor. The newer XB100 comes in some different colors than its predecessor, but the lead deal still packs the same IP67 water-resistance rating as the newer edition. It does lack the grooved exterior that we touched on in our review last week, too. Some of the biggest differences are in the sound department, with Sony packing a far more capable audio array into the newer speaker. That isn’t to say that the XB13 on sale above sounds bad by comparison, but it doesn’t have the same clarity as its XB100 counterpart. So for the $13 difference in price, it largely just comes down to whether or not you can live without as balanced audio.
A bit more expensive, but this summer’s best Bluetooth speaker is still the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3. We reviewed it a few months back, walking away impressed by its booming sound and premium overall design. Especially when factoring in that it is made from recycled materials, this is our favorite Bluetooth speaker right now for those who don’t mind paying a little extra.
Sony XB13 Speaker features:
Enjoy big sound with the super-compact SRS-XB13 wireless speaker, featuring EXTRA BASS™, an updated IP67 waterproof and dustproof design1,2, and up to 16 hours of battery life.3 Small enough to fit in a bag or cupholder, the XB13 also features a multiway strap to take it with you everywhere you go.
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