The Sony SRS-XB43 is a top-shelf Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in mid-2020. The speaker’s dust and water resistance makes it an ideal pick for use outdoors, and weighing only 6.4 pounds, it shouldn’t be challenging to carry around. The speaker also offers ambient lighting on both ends, and like the best speakers around, it is also capable of a stereo sound output. The XB43 also has a long-lasting battery that offers up to 15 hours of continuous playback. The best Bluetooth speakers have an extended range of connectivity, and in this regard, the XB43 is no different. It can sustain a connection with devices up to 334 ft away, and it can also be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. Its latency when connected to iOS and Android devices is also relatively low, making the speaker ideal for watching movies or streaming music without any lag.
TRUE SCORE
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Mixed Reviews
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Where does this product score?
Specialists praised the Sony SRS-XB43’s excellent battery life and sturdy build quality. They were impressed with its portability and its low bass response. Still, they complained that it was not as easy to store due to its bulky size and that its sound got distorted at max volume. They also didn’t like its missing WiFi connectivity.
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Score Card
E
Expert Score
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews
Expert Score Breakdown_
Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight
FCat Trust Score
62The Sony XB43 is great for outdoor use. It has… read more- ?
Cat Trust Score
80The Sony SRS-XB43 is a bass-forward Bluetooth speaker with an… read more - ?
Cat Trust Score
61The Sony SRS-XB43 delivers a fairly contrasted audio performance overall,… read more - ?
Cat Trust Score
NR“No bottom line found for this product” read more
Customer Score Breakdown_
Product Snapshot
Expert Rankings
Overview_
The Sony SRS-XB43 is a top-shelf Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in mid-2020. The speaker’s dust and water resistance makes it an ideal pick for use outdoors, and weighing only 6.4 pounds, it shouldn’t be challenging to carry around. The speaker also offers ambient lighting on both ends, and like the best speakers around, it is also capable of a stereo sound output. The XB43 also has a long-lasting battery that offers up to 15 hours of continuous playback. The best Bluetooth speakers have an extended range of connectivity, and in this regard, the XB43 is no different. It can sustain a connection with devices up to 334 ft away, and it can also be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. Its latency when connected to iOS and Android devices is also relatively low, making the speaker ideal for watching movies or streaming music without any lag.
Best For
Consensus_
Reason to Buy
- Dust and water resistant
- Impressive bass response
- Loud max volume
- Long range of connectivity
- Long battery life
Reason to Avoid
- No WiFi connectivity
- Bulky size complicates storage
- Audio distorts at max volume
Key Specs_
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Product Comparison_
True Score | 72% | NR | NR | NR |
Ranking | # 46 / 152 | # / | # / | # / |
Market Context |
The Sony SRS-XB43 is a top-shelf Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in mid-2020. The speaker’s dust and water resistance makes it an ideal pick… |
In terms of design and appearance, there’s little difference between the Sony SRS-XB33 and the Sony SRS-XB43. Still, the XB33 is the smaller pick between… In terms of design and appearance, there’s little difference between the Sony SRS-XB33 and the Sony SRS-XB43. Still, the XB33 is the smaller pick between the two and, therefore, the most portable, but the XB43 offers a longer 15-hour battery life compared to the XB33, which lasts up to 12.3 hours. The XB43 also has an AUX input, while the XB33 does not. Check out our Sony SRS-XB33 review to see what else its got to offer. |
The Sony SRS-XB43 has both speakerphone and voice assistant functionality while the JBL Charge 5 does not, and it also features RGB lighting that is… The Sony SRS-XB43 has both speakerphone and voice assistant functionality while the JBL Charge 5 does not, and it also features RGB lighting that is missing on the Charge 5. However, the Charge 5 is smaller and, therefore, more portable. |
The Sony SRS-XB43 is compatible with Google Assistant and Siri voice assistants, while the JBL Charge 4 is not. The XB43 also has a graphical… The Sony SRS-XB43 is compatible with Google Assistant and Siri voice assistants, while the JBL Charge 4 is not. The XB43 also has a graphical equalizer while the Charge 4 does not, and its 15-hour battery life is slightly longer than the Charge 4’s 13.1-hour battery life. |
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$230.00Availability
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Score Card
E
Expert Score
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews
Expert Score Breakdown_
Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight
- F
Trust Score
FCat Trust Score
62The Sony XB43 is great for outdoor use. It has an IP67 rating for dust… read more - ?
Trust Score
?Cat Trust Score
80The Sony SRS-XB43 is a bass-forward Bluetooth speaker with an outdoor-friendly design, built-in LED lighting,… read more - ?
Trust Score
?Cat Trust Score
61The Sony SRS-XB43 delivers a fairly contrasted audio performance overall, with very satisfying results for… read more - ?
Trust Score
?Cat Trust Score
NR“No bottom line found for this product” read more
Customer Score Breakdown_
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