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Bluetooth Speakers

True Score Methodology v1.0

Sony SRS-XB12 Review

November 16, 2023

True Score

Mixed Reviews

Experts

8,488

Consumers

Expert Rankings

(

)

Testers were delighted by the Sony SRS-XB12, and they recommended it for music, podcasts, and the outdoors. They loved its compact, waterproof construction, excellent battery life, and compatibility with smartphone voice assistants. However, they were disappointed that it doesn’t get very loud and has weak bass.

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Table of Contents

Overview
What Is Not on the Box
Product Comparison
All Stores
Score Card
Expert Score Breakdown
Customer Score Breakdown
Learn More About Bluetooth Speakers

Overview

The Sony SRS-XB12 is Sony’s 2019-model entry-level portable Bluetooth speaker that promises deep bass and excellent battery life for use on the go. It has a remarkably compact design and carrying strap, like select top speakers today. The speaker is equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 technology, featuring a 334.6-foot Bluetooth range. This speaker is waterproof and dust-proof, boasting an IP67-rated submersible design, and has an aux port. Read to the end of this Sony SRS-XB12 review and check out the best Bluetooth speakers on the market today.

What Is Not on the Box

What the brand doesn’t always tell you…

our Verdict

Analysts adored the Sony SRS-XB12 during their testing, recommending it for podcasts, music, and the outdoors. Testers at Reviews.org loved its 119.9Hz to 18.5KHz frequency response range and low 2.95 dB standard error. They reported a neutral sound profile with mediocre low bass. Experts at Which? lauded its excellent 0.97 dB directivity index, noticing an immersive soundstage, although the speaker downmixes stereo to mono and lacks an EQ. It weighs just 0.4 lbs and boasts an IP67-rated submersible waterproof, dust-proof design with a carrying strap. If you require a smaller device, see our Sony SRS-XB01 review. This speaker has a 70 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 52 ms Android latency. It supports smartphone voice assistants and features an outstanding 13.3-hour battery life. Achieving a top SPL of 79.7 dB during tests, this device doesn’t get very loud but has a great 0.37 dB DRC, maintaining the sound quality even at the maximum volume.

True Score

Reasons to Buy

Aux port
Smartphone-based voice assistants and speakerphone features
Submersible waterproof and dust-proof construction
Remarkably lightweight 0.4-lb design
Excellent 13.3-hour battery life

Reasons to Avoid

Lacks multi-device Bluetooth pairing
Weak bass may not be suitable for movie enthusiasts
Lacks EQ
Doesn’t support stereo

Specifications

	Battery Life	16 hrs
	Built In Microphone	Yes
	Charge Time	4 hrs and 30 meters
	Size	74 mm (d) x 92 mm (h)
	Smart App	Yes
	Speaker Pairing	Yes
	Water Resistant	Yes
	Wattage	10W
	Wireless Range	10 m

All Specs

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Product Comparison

	Sony SRS-XB12 Review	Sony SRS-XB13 Review	Sony SRS-XB23 Review	JBL Flip 5 Review
True Score	76	68	73	84
Ranking	# 33 / 81	# 60 / 81	# 42 / 81	# 9 / 81
Market Context	The Sony SRS-XB12 is Sony’s 2019-model entry-level portable Bluetooth speaker that promises deep bass and excellent battery life for use on the go. It has… The Sony SRS-XB12 is Sony’s 2019-model entry-level portable Bluetooth speaker that promises deep bass and excellent battery life for use on the go. It has a remarkably compact design and carrying strap, like select top speakers today. The speaker is equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 technology, featuring a 334.6-foot Bluetooth range. This speaker is waterproof and dust-proof, boasting an IP67-rated submersible design, and has an aux port. Read to the end of this Sony SRS-XB12 review and check out the best Bluetooth speakers on the market today.	The Sony SRS-XB13 produces lower bass than its predecessor, the Sony SRS-XB12 (this review). However, the XB12 gets louder, featuring a 79.7 dB maximum SPL,… The Sony SRS-XB13 produces lower bass than its predecessor, the Sony SRS-XB12 (this review). However, the XB12 gets louder, featuring a 79.7 dB maximum SPL, which is better than the 78.4 dB maximum SPL of the Sony SRS-XB13. Read our Sony SRS-XB13 review for details about the newer model.	With an 84.9 dB maximum SPL, the Sony SRS-XB23 gets louder than the Sony SRS-XB12, which has a 79.7 dB maximum SPL. However, the 13.3-hour… With an 84.9 dB maximum SPL, the Sony SRS-XB23 gets louder than the Sony SRS-XB12, which has a 79.7 dB maximum SPL. However, the 13.3-hour battery life of the SRS-XB12 portable speaker is better than the 9.2-hour battery life of the XB23. Check out our Sony SRS-XB23 review for details about the XB23 wireless speaker.	The Sony SRS-XB12 has a better 0.97 dB directivity index, translating to a more immersive soundstage than the JBL Flip 5, which has a 3.29… The Sony SRS-XB12 has a better 0.97 dB directivity index, translating to a more immersive soundstage than the JBL Flip 5, which has a 3.29 dB directivity index. It also supports smartphone voice assistants, unlike the JBL portable speaker. However, the JBL device is louder, featuring an 85.5 dB maximum SPL, which beats the 79.7 dB maximum SPL of the Sony speaker.
Battery Life	16 hrs	16 hrs	12 hrs	12 hrs
Built In Microphone	Yes	Yes	Yes	n/a
Charge Time	4 hrs and 30 meters	4.5 hrs	4 hrs	2.5 hrs
Size	74 mm (d) x 92 mm (h)	3.75" (h) x 3" (w) x 3" (d)	Diameter: 76 mm (d) Height: 218 mm (h)	2.91" (h) x 7.12" (w) x 2.71" (d)
Smart App	Yes	Yes	Yes	JBL Portable
Speaker Pairing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dig Deeper		Read review →: Sony SRS-XB13 Review	Read review →: Sony SRS-XB23 Review	Read review →: JBL Flip 5 Review

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Score Card

Expert Score

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

Customer Score

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

Any product with a True Score above 60 is a Meh

Expert Score Breakdown

Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight

A
Trust Score
60
The Sony SRS-XB12 packs a powerful punch for such a tiny speaker, and its waterproof… read more
By:
Georgia Dixon
D
Trust Score
80
The Sony SRS-XB12 is alright for outdoor use. It’s well-built, has a carrying strap to… read more
By:
Tim Gideon
F
Trust Score
NR
“No bottom line found for this product” read more
By:
Unknown
F
Trust Score
NR
“No bottom line found for this product” read more
By:
Unknown
F
Trust Score
90
This tough, pocket-sized speaker packs a powerful punch, and for less than $90. While the… read more
By:
John Panoryios