92
Sony XB72

Sony XB72 Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Jan 29, 2024 1:41 PM

True Score

77
74
2

Experts

86
1,588

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Sony XB72 delighted product testers with its graphical EQ and how loud it could get. They also liked that it had an FM tuner and a deep bass output. However, its bulky size made it difficult to move around with. Testers also complained about its lack of WiFi connectivity and noted that sound distorts at high volume.

$299.99

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

First announced in early 2019, the Sony XB72 is a top-tier Bluetooth speaker that is AC-powered and therefore designed for indoor use. The speaker has easily noticeable multicolored LED line lights that can light up in sequence with the music that is playing, and like most highly rated speakers, it is compatible with voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Siri. The XB72 can also be used as a speakerphone, and it is also capable of stereo output. Owners will also be able to adjust its sound quality through the Sony Music Center companion app by manipulating its 7-band graphical EQ, and as far as Bluetooth connectivity is concerned, the XB72 can handle two simultaneously connected devices. The best Bluetooth speakers have a range of up to 334 ft, but the XB72 doesn’t do too bad since it can connect to devices up to 234 ft away.

Consensus

our Verdict

Product reviewers lauded the Sony XB72 for how loud it could get and also liked that it had a 7-band graphic equalizer to adjust its music output. Analysts from Cnet liked that the XB72 came with an FM tuner, which meant they could listen to their favorite radio stations. On the other hand, testers from Rtings were impressed with the speaker’s deep bass output. During their sound tests, they also commended its wide soundstage and were satisfied with the speaker’s room-filling sound. They also deemed it fit for watching movies and videos since it had low iOS and Android latency.

Still, testers complained that the XB72 was not portable due to its wired nature. The Sony SRS-XG500 is an excellent example of a wireless alternative that is smaller in size and much more portable. Go explore it through our Sony SRS-XG500 review. Testers also didn’t like its lack of WiFi functionality and lamented that its sound was distorted at high volume.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Speakerphone/Voice assistant support
  • Deep bass output
  • Comes with an FM tuner
  • Customizable LED lighting
  • 7-band graphic equalizer

Reason to Avoid

  • Bulky size made portability difficult
  • No WiFi connectivity
  • Sound distorts at high volume

Sony XB72 Specs

Battery LifeBattery Life23 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneYes
Charge TimeCharge Timen/a
SizeSize34.5 cm (w) x 65.6 cm (h) x 37.9 cm (d)
Smart AppSmart AppYes
Speaker PairingSpeaker PairingYes
Water ResistantWater Resistantn/a
WattageWattage60W
Wireless RangeWireless Range10 m

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)0
Volume Output (dB)98.3
Low End Roll Off (Hz)63.496
High End Roll Off (Hz)2,416.318

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Product Comparison

Sony XB72

Sony XB72 Review

True Score

77
68
81
NR

Ranking

#

92

/

109

#

105

/

109

#

61

/

109

#

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Market Context

First announced in early 2019, the Sony XB72 is a top-tier Bluetooth speaker that is AC-powered and therefore designed for indoor use. The speaker has…

First announced in early 2019, the Sony XB72 is a top-tier Bluetooth speaker that is AC-powered and therefore designed for indoor use. The speaker has easily noticeable multicolored LED line lights that can light up in sequence with the music that is playing, and like most highly rated speakers, it is compatible with voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Siri. The XB72 can also be used as a speakerphone, and it is also capable of stereo output. Owners will also be able to adjust its sound quality through the Sony Music Center companion app by manipulating its 7-band graphical EQ, and as far as Bluetooth connectivity is concerned, the XB72 can handle two simultaneously connected devices. The best Bluetooth speakers have a range of up to 334 ft, but the XB72 doesn’t do too bad since it can connect to devices up to 234 ft away.

The Sony XB72 and the Sony XB90 are two speakers that are both designed for outdoor use. However, the XB72 is AC powered while the…

The Sony XB72 and the Sony XB90 are two speakers that are both designed for outdoor use. However, the XB72 is AC powered while the XB90 comes with an onboard battery, and the XB72 can be paired with two devices while the XB90 can be connected with up to three. We’ve looked at the XB90 and recorded our findings in our Sony XB90 review.

The Sony XB72 is compatible with Google Assistant and Siri while the JBL PartyBox 300 is not. Still, the PartyBox 300 is battery-powered, but the…

The Sony XB72 is compatible with Google Assistant and Siri while the JBL PartyBox 300 is not. Still, the PartyBox 300 is battery-powered, but the Sony XB72 is not, and the Sony XB72 has a graphic equalizer, while the PartyBox 300 does not. The XB72 also has a companion app, while the PartyBox 300 does not.

The Sony XB72 features speakerphone and voice assistant functionality while the Sony XB700 does not, but the XB700 is battery powered while the XB72 is…

The Sony XB72 features speakerphone and voice assistant functionality while the Sony XB700 does not, but the XB700 is battery powered while the XB72 is not. The XB700 also has a water resistance rating that the XB72 does not.

Battery Life

23 hrs

15 hrs

18 hrs

Built In Microphone

Yes

n/a

No

Charge Time

n/a

4.5 hrs

5 hrs

Size

34.5 cm (w) x 65.6 cm (h) x 37.9 cm (d)

13.23" (w) x 26.38" (h) x 13.19" (d)

Smart App

Yes

Yes

JBL PartyBox

Speaker Pairing

Yes

Yes

Yes

Water Resistant

n/a

n/a

No

Wattage

60W

470W

240W

Dig Deeper

Sony XB90 Review →

JBL Partybox 300 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

74

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

86

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

77

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    The Sony GTK-XB72 is decent for music. With its default settings enabled, it has a… Read More

    By:

    Dagobiet Morales Alfaro
  • Forbes
    33

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    I’m going to re-iterate my position from the start of this review. The Sony XB72… Read More

    By:

    Brad Moon

Customer Scores