With Echo Cancelling, you can have better meetings and phone calls. This allows two people to converse without interrupting each other. The portable size and handy carry strap allow you to easily carry the speaker wherever you go. The speaker is waterproof, as well as salt water resistant, so you'll be fine by the sea or pool - and it's also easy to clean. When fully charged, the XE200 will provide 16 hours of playtime, indicating that a single charge should be sufficient to power through any party. The XE200 has been subjected to comprehensive stress testing to ensure that it can handle the inevitable knocks, bumps, and scrapes that come with daily use.
With Echo Cancelling, you can have better meetings and phone calls. This allows two people to converse without interrupting each other. The portable size and handy carry strap allow you to easily carry the speaker wherever you go. The speaker is waterproof, as well as salt water resistant, so you'll be fine by the sea or pool - and it's also easy to clean. When fully charged, the XE200 will provide 16 hours of playtime, indicating that a single charge should be sufficient to power through any party. The XE200 has been subjected to comprehensive stress testing to ensure that it can handle the inevitable knocks, bumps, and scrapes that come with daily use.
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last seen 9 May 2026
The lowest price we last saw for Citi Card off | Sony SRS-XE200 Portable Wireless Speaker - Light Grey SRS-XE200/HCE was $123.07 at 友和 Yoho (last seen 9 May 2026). Prices may have changed since.
The all-time low we recorded was $65.00 on 5 June 2025.
Prices last updated 9 May 2026.
Citi Card off | Sony SRS-XE200 Portable Wireless Speaker - Light Grey SRS-XE200/HCE
With Echo Cancelling, you can have better meetings and phone calls. This allows two people to converse without interrupting each other. The portable size and handy carry strap allow you to easily carry the speaker wherever you go. The speaker is waterproof, as well as salt water resistant, so you'll be fine by the sea or pool - and it's also easy to clean. When fully charged, the XE200 will provide 16 hours of playtime, indicating that a single charge should be sufficient to power through any party. The XE200 has been subjected to comprehensive stress testing to ensure that it can handle the inevitable knocks, bumps, and scrapes that come with daily use.
With Echo Cancelling, you can have better meetings and phone calls. This allows two people to converse without interrupting each other. The portable size and handy carry strap allow you to easily carry the speaker wherever you go. The speaker is waterproof, as well as salt water resistant, so you'll be fine by the sea or pool - and it's also easy to clean. When fully charged, the XE200 will provide 16 hours of playtime, indicating that a single charge should be sufficient to power through any party. The XE200 has been subjected to comprehensive stress testing to ensure that it can handle the inevitable knocks, bumps, and scrapes that come with daily use.
Last updated at 09/05/2026 19:10:19
Mastercard $100 OFF | Sony SRS-XE200 Portable Wireless Speaker - Light Grey SRS-XE200/HCE
Delivery $24.65
originally posted on sony.co.uk
I normally start a review by saying how well the item was packaged, how great the contents of the box were and how easy the instructions were to follow and this review is no different, there really is no need to go into great detail about all that though as the XE200 is just like all the other Sony products that i have ever opened! - it is well cared for by the manufacturers and designers, of course the item is safe and secure inside the packaging ready for whatever it's journey throws at it, the speaker sat snuggly in it's recycable cardboard setting. The instructions were easy to follow but to be honest i really didn't need them, the XE200 was a piece of cake to set up and to start blasting the tunes out of.The speaker charges by cable (USB C type) making this ... MoreI normally start a review by saying how well the item was packaged, how great the contents of the box were and how easy the instructions were to follow and this review is no different, there really is no need to go into great detail about all that though as the XE200 is just like all the other Sony products that i have ever opened! - it is well cared for by the manufacturers and designers, of course the item is safe and secure inside the packaging ready for whatever it's journey throws at it, the speaker sat snuggly in it's recycable cardboard setting. The instructions were easy to follow but to be honest i really didn't need them, the XE200 was a piece of cake to set up and to start blasting the tunes out of.The speaker charges by cable (USB C type) making this ideal for use at home or away, it connects via BLUETOOTH with your phone and i really loved how that took seconds, literally it was instant - so impressed by it's responsivness as when using for entertainment nobody wants that awkward silence that happens when the tech is slow!I skipped through my playslists and XE200 kept right up, no stuttering no loss of connection and because i was connected to my phone (that always lives in my pocket) the speaker could be taken anywhere - I took it camping, and it certainly impressed me and my camping neigbours with its beefy output.I credit the qualtiy of the sound to the L-line shape diffuser, I was honestly so sceptical that this design would have any impact what so ever but it really did, the music reached further than i expected and it remained such a crisp clear quality. The base was equally as impressive, especially when you remember that this is actually a compact and portable device - the sound absolutley could pass as coming from a device much bigger!Whilst i was playing / mixing / head bopping to my tunes with the XE200 i had a call come through, normally i wouldn't answer on a speaker however as this was a new toy i wanted to explore all it's features so i accepted the call - the connection was crystal clear, as if i had answered on my phone and i even used the MIC mute button located on the speaker and again it was impressively responsive, no issues at all as it did what it was advertised to do.I so far only have the one speaker, but you can pair up mutliple speakers which i plan on doing to have a full on party effect - the only thing this little beast is missing are the disco lights!As i trialled the speaker on a camp, the 16 hour battery really did do fab! I had no issues with restricted usage due to insufficent power, and even though i didn't use it for the full 16 hours i got ample use that meet my needs spread over a couple of days.Whilst away, i had the tunes on, cooking some tea and the heavens opened up! I dashed to get everything undercover and was happy to leave the XE200 to last as i new its waterproof feature would mean it would be safe and sound out there in the great british downpour playing out whilst i ran back and too sodden and dripping!The last additional feature to not is the carry handle / hanging strap - does exactly what you would expect it makes the handheld device portable, it provides a safe wayy of being carried and also enables the speaker to be hung at a safe height from a reliable holding point to really allow the beats to pound far and wide.Genuinely there are no negative points that come to mind, this item is portable, powerful, sturdy and impressive and can be easily held in one hand.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
I’ve been a long-time fan of Sony audio products and this product continues to deliver on the same great quality with a lightweight, durable, and great-sounding speaker…especially for the price.Rather than a round cylinder which most speakers like this opt for, they went with a 5-sided, pentagon shape which I tend to like as it won’t roll off a table if it were to tip over. The other advantage of this 5-sided design is that you have options if you do want to lay it on it’s side.I found the audio quality to be quite good in either orientation, whether it’s standing straight up or laid on one side. One thing to note here though about audio quality is that even though it has a 5-sided design, it doesn’t necessarily emit sound in all directions. Most of the sound ... MoreI’ve been a long-time fan of Sony audio products and this product continues to deliver on the same great quality with a lightweight, durable, and great-sounding speaker…especially for the price.Rather than a round cylinder which most speakers like this opt for, they went with a 5-sided, pentagon shape which I tend to like as it won’t roll off a table if it were to tip over. The other advantage of this 5-sided design is that you have options if you do want to lay it on it’s side.I found the audio quality to be quite good in either orientation, whether it’s standing straight up or laid on one side. One thing to note here though about audio quality is that even though it has a 5-sided design, it doesn’t necessarily emit sound in all directions. Most of the sound can be heard from about 270 degrees around the speaker but the back portion tends to be weaker.The speaker itself is made from a combination of rubberized silicon for most of the speaker which is nice and grippy so it won’t slide of a surface and the rest is made up of fabric which covers the actual speakers. It’s a very classy look for being a durable speaker that has an IP67 dust and water resistant rating.I like that this speaker is lightweight and I appreciate the size, but for being their smallest speaker in their XE lineup, it’s not a super small speaker by any means, but it’s still very lightweight.Battery life is very respectable with up to 16 hours on a charge and I found that to be pretty accurate, even with my listening habits being probably louder than most.Sound quality is surprisingly good for a speaker of this size where it has a balanced sound profile out of the box where everything is crisp and clear even at high volumes. One thing I found interesting was the range of this speaker in regards to how far away you could hear the sound. One night, I had the speaker on one end of my house in the kitchen which is a good 50-75 feet away from my bedroom and I mistakenly thought the music was coming from my much bigger soundbar.One thing that Sony die-hards may miss though is what was seemed to be always found on Sony speakers - the Mega Bass button. Being a huge fan of Sony products, this almost seemed like it wasn’t even a Sony product without it, but I have to say that the sound profile is nice and balanced - certainly less bass than a Sony speaker with mega bass enabled but more bass than that same speaker without. So they seemed like they split the difference and found a balance without having that “turbo” mode.However, there is a customizable equalizer that you can access with their Music Center app - works great for customizing the sound profile but that one-touch mega bass button was also nice, although a lot of the times that mega bass button may have been a bit too strong.The other thing missing from this speaker is an auxiliary port which I suppose may be a sign of the times of everything going wireless, but just something to be aware of.One thing that I loving about Sony products that have been released in the last few years is that their packaging is nearly all recyclable carboard - it’s a nice touch and makes you realize how much un-recyclable materials some other companies use.Overall, another great Sony audio product.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
## DesignThe Sony SRS-XE200 speaker has a new, unique design where it is not obvious where the actual speakers are located. Instead, Sony is using a new “line-shape diffuser” on this speaker which helps distribute the sound more evenly around the speaker. The speaker has a modern design with a mostly plastic exterior and some fabric accents behind it, that for some reason makes me think of the Cybertruck when I see it.Aside from some small LED indicator lights, there are no “party lights” on the XE200 as compared to something like Sony’s SRS-XB32. There is a carrying strap attached to the speaker that is almost too long as it sometimes gets in the way of setting the speaker down on a flat surface.Towards the back of the speaker, you’ll find the power button, ... More## DesignThe Sony SRS-XE200 speaker has a new, unique design where it is not obvious where the actual speakers are located. Instead, Sony is using a new “line-shape diffuser” on this speaker which helps distribute the sound more evenly around the speaker. The speaker has a modern design with a mostly plastic exterior and some fabric accents behind it, that for some reason makes me think of the Cybertruck when I see it.Aside from some small LED indicator lights, there are no “party lights” on the XE200 as compared to something like Sony’s SRS-XB32. There is a carrying strap attached to the speaker that is almost too long as it sometimes gets in the way of setting the speaker down on a flat surface.Towards the back of the speaker, you’ll find the power button, Bluetooth button, play/pause button, volume buttons, battery status button, and (not found on many Bluetooth speaker) a dedicated mute button for the microphone. The USB-C charging port can be found under the flap on the back of the speaker.## PerformanceComing from the Sony SRS-XB32 speaker, I did notice that the bass is not as strong on the XE200 out of the box. However, you can increase (or decrease) the bass (or mids or treble) through the equalizer in Sony’s Music Center app, but there is no dedicated “bass boost” function. Still, sound quality is great and the speaker gets loud enough to fill a medium to large-ish sized room, making it great for indoor or outdoor social gatherings.The new Line-Shape Diffuser does indeed help distribute the sound from the speaker to not only directly in front of the speaker, but to the sides of the speaker as well. So you don’t need to be sitting exactly in front of the speaker to get the best sound.## FeaturesLine-Shape Diffuser: Looking at the speaker, you’ll see a narrow fabric area on the front between larger plastic panels. If you’re like me, you would think this would limit the sound coming out of the speaker, but it instead helps spread the sound out to about 60-70 degrees on either side.Battery Care feature: This isn’t on by default, but in Sony’s Music Center app, you can enable the Battery Care feature to limit charging to about 90%. This helps prolong the lifespan of the speaker’s battery because, like our smartphones, we should not keep lithium batteries charged to 100% all of the time. You can, of course, disable this feature if you do indeed want the battery at 100% for a long camping trip, for example.IP67 water and dust resistance: This speaker is ideal for travel or using pool-side with its IP67 rating, so you don’t need to worry about splashes, sand, or dust (just make sure to keep the charging port closed tightly).Echo Canceling microphone: You can also use this speaker for work calls as it has an echo canceling microphone. In testing the speaker in an empty room by recording myself, I did indeed notice that the speaker seemed to eliminate any echo from my voice as long as I was facing the front of the speaker directly.## Battery LifeThe speaker can achieve up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge, and uses a common USB-C cable for recharging. A quick 10 minute charge can get you just over an hour of playback time when time is of the essence. As noted above, you can enable the Battery Care feature in the Sony Music Center app to help prolong the lifespan## SummaryThe Sony SRS-XE200 speaker is an ideal outdoor musical companion thanks to its great sound quality and IP67 water and dust resistance. The speaker can also be used as a speakerphone for work calls with its echo canceling microphone.
Mastercard $100 OFF | Sony SRS-XE200 Portable Wireless Speaker - Light Grey SRS-XE200/HCE
Delivery $24.65
I normally start a review by saying how well the item was packaged, how great the contents of the box were and how easy the instructions were to follow and this review is no different, there really is no need to go into great detail about all that though as the XE200 is just like all the other Sony products that i have ever opened! - it is well cared for by the manufacturers and designers, of course the item is safe and secure inside the packaging ready for whatever it's journey throws at it, the speaker sat snuggly in it's recycable cardboard setting. The instructions were easy to follow but to be honest i really didn't need them, the XE200 was a piece of cake to set up and to start blasting the tunes out of.The speaker charges by cable (USB C type) making this ... MoreI normally start a review by saying how well the item was packaged, how great the contents of the box were and how easy the instructions were to follow and this review is no different, there really is no need to go into great detail about all that though as the XE200 is just like all the other Sony products that i have ever opened! - it is well cared for by the manufacturers and designers, of course the item is safe and secure inside the packaging ready for whatever it's journey throws at it, the speaker sat snuggly in it's recycable cardboard setting. The instructions were easy to follow but to be honest i really didn't need them, the XE200 was a piece of cake to set up and to start blasting the tunes out of.The speaker charges by cable (USB C type) making this ideal for use at home or away, it connects via BLUETOOTH with your phone and i really loved how that took seconds, literally it was instant - so impressed by it's responsivness as when using for entertainment nobody wants that awkward silence that happens when the tech is slow!I skipped through my playslists and XE200 kept right up, no stuttering no loss of connection and because i was connected to my phone (that always lives in my pocket) the speaker could be taken anywhere - I took it camping, and it certainly impressed me and my camping neigbours with its beefy output.I credit the qualtiy of the sound to the L-line shape diffuser, I was honestly so sceptical that this design would have any impact what so ever but it really did, the music reached further than i expected and it remained such a crisp clear quality. The base was equally as impressive, especially when you remember that this is actually a compact and portable device - the sound absolutley could pass as coming from a device much bigger!Whilst i was playing / mixing / head bopping to my tunes with the XE200 i had a call come through, normally i wouldn't answer on a speaker however as this was a new toy i wanted to explore all it's features so i accepted the call - the connection was crystal clear, as if i had answered on my phone and i even used the MIC mute button located on the speaker and again it was impressively responsive, no issues at all as it did what it was advertised to do.I so far only have the one speaker, but you can pair up mutliple speakers which i plan on doing to have a full on party effect - the only thing this little beast is missing are the disco lights!As i trialled the speaker on a camp, the 16 hour battery really did do fab! I had no issues with restricted usage due to insufficent power, and even though i didn't use it for the full 16 hours i got ample use that meet my needs spread over a couple of days.Whilst away, i had the tunes on, cooking some tea and the heavens opened up! I dashed to get everything undercover and was happy to leave the XE200 to last as i new its waterproof feature would mean it would be safe and sound out there in the great british downpour playing out whilst i ran back and too sodden and dripping!The last additional feature to not is the carry handle / hanging strap - does exactly what you would expect it makes the handheld device portable, it provides a safe wayy of being carried and also enables the speaker to be hung at a safe height from a reliable holding point to really allow the beats to pound far and wide.Genuinely there are no negative points that come to mind, this item is portable, powerful, sturdy and impressive and can be easily held in one hand.
I’ve been a long-time fan of Sony audio products and this product continues to deliver on the same great quality with a lightweight, durable, and great-sounding speaker…especially for the price.Rather than a round cylinder which most speakers like this opt for, they went with a 5-sided, pentagon shape which I tend to like as it won’t roll off a table if it were to tip over. The other advantage of this 5-sided design is that you have options if you do want to lay it on it’s side.I found the audio quality to be quite good in either orientation, whether it’s standing straight up or laid on one side. One thing to note here though about audio quality is that even though it has a 5-sided design, it doesn’t necessarily emit sound in all directions. Most of the sound ... MoreI’ve been a long-time fan of Sony audio products and this product continues to deliver on the same great quality with a lightweight, durable, and great-sounding speaker…especially for the price.Rather than a round cylinder which most speakers like this opt for, they went with a 5-sided, pentagon shape which I tend to like as it won’t roll off a table if it were to tip over. The other advantage of this 5-sided design is that you have options if you do want to lay it on it’s side.I found the audio quality to be quite good in either orientation, whether it’s standing straight up or laid on one side. One thing to note here though about audio quality is that even though it has a 5-sided design, it doesn’t necessarily emit sound in all directions. Most of the sound can be heard from about 270 degrees around the speaker but the back portion tends to be weaker.The speaker itself is made from a combination of rubberized silicon for most of the speaker which is nice and grippy so it won’t slide of a surface and the rest is made up of fabric which covers the actual speakers. It’s a very classy look for being a durable speaker that has an IP67 dust and water resistant rating.I like that this speaker is lightweight and I appreciate the size, but for being their smallest speaker in their XE lineup, it’s not a super small speaker by any means, but it’s still very lightweight.Battery life is very respectable with up to 16 hours on a charge and I found that to be pretty accurate, even with my listening habits being probably louder than most.Sound quality is surprisingly good for a speaker of this size where it has a balanced sound profile out of the box where everything is crisp and clear even at high volumes. One thing I found interesting was the range of this speaker in regards to how far away you could hear the sound. One night, I had the speaker on one end of my house in the kitchen which is a good 50-75 feet away from my bedroom and I mistakenly thought the music was coming from my much bigger soundbar.One thing that Sony die-hards may miss though is what was seemed to be always found on Sony speakers - the Mega Bass button. Being a huge fan of Sony products, this almost seemed like it wasn’t even a Sony product without it, but I have to say that the sound profile is nice and balanced - certainly less bass than a Sony speaker with mega bass enabled but more bass than that same speaker without. So they seemed like they split the difference and found a balance without having that “turbo” mode.However, there is a customizable equalizer that you can access with their Music Center app - works great for customizing the sound profile but that one-touch mega bass button was also nice, although a lot of the times that mega bass button may have been a bit too strong.The other thing missing from this speaker is an auxiliary port which I suppose may be a sign of the times of everything going wireless, but just something to be aware of.One thing that I loving about Sony products that have been released in the last few years is that their packaging is nearly all recyclable carboard - it’s a nice touch and makes you realize how much un-recyclable materials some other companies use.Overall, another great Sony audio product.
## DesignThe Sony SRS-XE200 speaker has a new, unique design where it is not obvious where the actual speakers are located. Instead, Sony is using a new “line-shape diffuser” on this speaker which helps distribute the sound more evenly around the speaker. The speaker has a modern design with a mostly plastic exterior and some fabric accents behind it, that for some reason makes me think of the Cybertruck when I see it.Aside from some small LED indicator lights, there are no “party lights” on the XE200 as compared to something like Sony’s SRS-XB32. There is a carrying strap attached to the speaker that is almost too long as it sometimes gets in the way of setting the speaker down on a flat surface.Towards the back of the speaker, you’ll find the power button, ... More## DesignThe Sony SRS-XE200 speaker has a new, unique design where it is not obvious where the actual speakers are located. Instead, Sony is using a new “line-shape diffuser” on this speaker which helps distribute the sound more evenly around the speaker. The speaker has a modern design with a mostly plastic exterior and some fabric accents behind it, that for some reason makes me think of the Cybertruck when I see it.Aside from some small LED indicator lights, there are no “party lights” on the XE200 as compared to something like Sony’s SRS-XB32. There is a carrying strap attached to the speaker that is almost too long as it sometimes gets in the way of setting the speaker down on a flat surface.Towards the back of the speaker, you’ll find the power button, Bluetooth button, play/pause button, volume buttons, battery status button, and (not found on many Bluetooth speaker) a dedicated mute button for the microphone. The USB-C charging port can be found under the flap on the back of the speaker.## PerformanceComing from the Sony SRS-XB32 speaker, I did notice that the bass is not as strong on the XE200 out of the box. However, you can increase (or decrease) the bass (or mids or treble) through the equalizer in Sony’s Music Center app, but there is no dedicated “bass boost” function. Still, sound quality is great and the speaker gets loud enough to fill a medium to large-ish sized room, making it great for indoor or outdoor social gatherings.The new Line-Shape Diffuser does indeed help distribute the sound from the speaker to not only directly in front of the speaker, but to the sides of the speaker as well. So you don’t need to be sitting exactly in front of the speaker to get the best sound.## FeaturesLine-Shape Diffuser: Looking at the speaker, you’ll see a narrow fabric area on the front between larger plastic panels. If you’re like me, you would think this would limit the sound coming out of the speaker, but it instead helps spread the sound out to about 60-70 degrees on either side.Battery Care feature: This isn’t on by default, but in Sony’s Music Center app, you can enable the Battery Care feature to limit charging to about 90%. This helps prolong the lifespan of the speaker’s battery because, like our smartphones, we should not keep lithium batteries charged to 100% all of the time. You can, of course, disable this feature if you do indeed want the battery at 100% for a long camping trip, for example.IP67 water and dust resistance: This speaker is ideal for travel or using pool-side with its IP67 rating, so you don’t need to worry about splashes, sand, or dust (just make sure to keep the charging port closed tightly).Echo Canceling microphone: You can also use this speaker for work calls as it has an echo canceling microphone. In testing the speaker in an empty room by recording myself, I did indeed notice that the speaker seemed to eliminate any echo from my voice as long as I was facing the front of the speaker directly.## Battery LifeThe speaker can achieve up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge, and uses a common USB-C cable for recharging. A quick 10 minute charge can get you just over an hour of playback time when time is of the essence. As noted above, you can enable the Battery Care feature in the Sony Music Center app to help prolong the lifespan## SummaryThe Sony SRS-XE200 speaker is an ideal outdoor musical companion thanks to its great sound quality and IP67 water and dust resistance. The speaker can also be used as a speakerphone for work calls with its echo canceling microphone.
Bought it on special and with a gift card, so the price was very affordable to me. The sound The Build quality is good, but Sony's included Reference Guide continues to be a disappoinkment. It's printed so small as to be virtually illegible (see photo): Capital letters height is barely 1.5 mm and lowercase text only 1 mm high, and that includes the safety instructions (which are not labelled with "Caution" or other alert words). This is totally unacceptable and an affront to people who don't have 20/20 vision. It's not as if there's not enough room in the box, as the instructions when folded are thin and only half the length of the device. It shows, in my opinion, a callous disregard for a major group of users. So I went online to download the Reference Guide and ... MoreBought it on special and with a gift card, so the price was very affordable to me. The sound The Build quality is good, but Sony's included Reference Guide continues to be a disappoinkment. It's printed so small as to be virtually illegible (see photo): Capital letters height is barely 1.5 mm and lowercase text only 1 mm high, and that includes the safety instructions (which are not labelled with "Caution" or other alert words). This is totally unacceptable and an affront to people who don't have 20/20 vision. It's not as if there's not enough room in the box, as the instructions when folded are thin and only half the length of the device. It shows, in my opinion, a callous disregard for a major group of users. So I went online to download the Reference Guide and found the PDF of the printed document. Had to enlarge it to 150% on my 32" display to make it readable. I also found a pictographical guide there which wasn't included in the box that would've been helpful if printed in a reasonable size, but no, they didn't bother to include that. Eventually I found the full user guide instructions in a form I could download and actually read to understand how the product worked. It shouldn't have to be so very hard!I got it working in the end, and the sound is okay once BT paired to my phone. I like that I can make calls through it also. The portable form factor and long battery means I can take it with me when I travel and stay away. Hotels don't usually have a sound system I can connect the phone to, or a pairable TV (but TV sound is poor anyway). So it's nice to be able to play videos and stuff on my Samsung S23 Ultra phone or iPad tablet - like YouTube, iHeart audio, Amazon music and Prime videos and so on - and have fuller and better-quality sound than the phone and tablet gives me by itself. So the sound quality and portability/mobility for use with my mobile devices is good. No complaints there, and with the store sale and gift voucher I had, I got it for not a lot of out-of-pocket expense.I rated the value of the product as average because the full recommended retail price is arguably too high for what it is, but I didn't have to pay half that due to fortunate circumstances for me. If they gave it some decently legible instructions with the device, I might've given it a higher overall rating.
As one of the best-known Japanese technology brands in the world, Sony’s vast product portfolio encompasses all sorts of highly-renowned electronics from top-of-the-line TVs to $20 corded headphones. It comes as no surprise that Sony was among the earliest to market with bluetooth-compatible boomboxes, later evolving into the ubiquitous bluetooth speakers we see everywhere today. The SRSXE200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is their latest offering in the segment, acting as the entry level item among multiple new bluetooth speakers in the X-Series range. Despite its diminutive size, the SRSXE200 brings room-filling audio and power that’s as at home on the nightstand as it is next to the pool.As with any review of audio equipment, my impressions of sound quality will be ... MoreAs one of the best-known Japanese technology brands in the world, Sony’s vast product portfolio encompasses all sorts of highly-renowned electronics from top-of-the-line TVs to $20 corded headphones. It comes as no surprise that Sony was among the earliest to market with bluetooth-compatible boomboxes, later evolving into the ubiquitous bluetooth speakers we see everywhere today. The SRSXE200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is their latest offering in the segment, acting as the entry level item among multiple new bluetooth speakers in the X-Series range. Despite its diminutive size, the SRSXE200 brings room-filling audio and power that’s as at home on the nightstand as it is next to the pool.As with any review of audio equipment, my impressions of sound quality will be subjective. I’ve tried to present them as objectively as possible, but in any case, I highly recommend demoing the speaker in-person at your nearest Best Buy prior to purchase.- Unboxing and SetupShipped in recycled cardboard with a cloth covering on the speaker and instruction pamphlets kept to a minimum, I applaud Sony’s choice of eco-conscious packaging here. All items are recyclable, which is a welcome sight to see.The SRSXE200 is covered in soft-touch rubber and a cloth mesh, with the only opening being a small door that covers the USB-C charging port. This helps ensure it survives splashes or brief jaunts into the water, meeting the IP67 water-resistance rating. The speaker is pretty weighty at about 2 pounds - it’s far from the lightest speaker I’ve used but it feels very solid as a result. Buttons are clearly labeled and integrated into the soft-touch rubber - there’s a premium feel to the device overall.Setup is as straightforward as can be - hold the Bluetooth button to pair and locate the speaker from your device’s bluetooth menu. The speaker allows for multiple active pairings, letting you seamlessly switch between devices as you go. It won’t allow for simultaneous playback, however - the most recent play command will take control of the speaker. The speaker also includes a microphone for conference calls, which is very handy. The only thing missing I could possibly ask for is a 3.5mm microphone port for legacy devices, but these are becoming fewer in number, and having an exposed port would likely compromise the speaker’s water resistance rating.- Sound QualitySony has once again worked its engineering magic to deliver a shocking amount of volume and clarity from such a small device. Optimized for as grand a sound stage as possible to fill a room or patio with audio, the SRSXE200 brings serious audio power to any situation. Dual passive radiators are a major selling point for delivering a surprising amount of bass across a good distance.Overall, the sound profile leans away from deep, boomy bass and compensates with strong response further up the band. Up close, the bass doesn’t get particularly deep and does take on a little bit of muddiness, but at a distance of more than a few feet it becomes clear that punchy bass was the goal. Bass notes are audible and clear at a long distance, which was particularly impressive at a small party. Even as we cranked the volume the audio didn’t distort, though as expected the bass response did fall off a little as the speakers, while strong, just aren’t big enough to deliver heavy bass at high volume. Mids and treble are crisp and clear at any distance, seemingly neutral on frequency response.Of course, one thing you won’t get with a speaker this small is a wide soundstage. While multiple speakers are present, it’s unlikely you’ll experience any sort of stereo effect as there’s little space to recreate decent stereo separation. Again, Sony aimed for room-filling audio from the single device and they’ve done a good job at that. You can, however, pair two identical Sony bluetooth speakers together in “Stereo Pair” to allow the speakers to act as left and right channels independently.The built-in microphone for voice calls works well enough. It doesn’t pick up from a far distance - you’ll need to be within a couple feet of the speaker to be heard clearly - but my callers said my voice was otherwise clear and conversation carried on normally without me raising my voice for the speaker to pickup. No complaints here.- Connectivity and Battery LifeThe Bluetooth range on the SRSXE200 is quite strong. I didn’t experience a disconnect from my phone until I was nearly past my neighbors’ house, over 100 feet away and through insulating walls. I never experienced a connection drop anywhere in my house or garage as I toted the speaker around with its carrying strap. All my devices with audio support had no issue finding or pairing with the speaker.Battery life and charge times are excellent. 2-3 hours charging on USB-C will yield a full charge, which Sony quotes at 16 hours for this speaker. I haven’t run the battery down fully yet to verify the claim, but with a full weekend of standby and a few hours of audio playback I only dipped to approximately 60% charge (pressing the BATT button will announce current charge state in 20% increments). I can certainly see this going the full 16 hours of playback and then some - in my experience Sony does somewhat underrate their battery life.Sony offers a feature called “Party Connect” which allows compatible speakers to synchronize their audio playback, creating a network of up to 100 speakers that can output the audio from a single device. I wasn’t able to test this as I don’t own any other compatible devices, but the prospect of having these spread about the house or patio for gatherings is a compelling feature I might embrace in the future.- Bottom LineThe Sony SRSXE200 Portable Bluetooth Speaker delivers strong audio suitable for any environment. While bass response is on the weaker side, the volume and power on tap bring room-filling audio from a surprisingly compact device. An all-day battery and ubiquitous USB-C charging help keep the music going for hours on end, and the ability to connect multiple devices to the speaker and network said speakers with others for more grand audio setups is a huge boon. At $129 MSRP, Sony’s latest bluetooth speaker offering is priced right and fits pretty much anywhere. Recommended!
I recently had the opportunity to try out the Sony SRS-XE200 Portable X-Series Bluetooth Speaker in black, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. This compact speaker delivers impressive sound quality and a host of convenient features that make it a great choice for music lovers on the go.First and foremost, the sound produced by this speaker is outstanding. Despite its small size, the SRS-XE200 delivers clear, rich audio with impressive bass response. The sound is well-balanced, and I was pleasantly surprised by the speaker's ability to fill a room with immersive sound. Whether I was listening to my favorite tracks or streaming a podcast, the audio quality was consistently excellent.The Bluetooth connectivity of the SRS-XE200 is seamless and hassle-free. ... MoreI recently had the opportunity to try out the Sony SRS-XE200 Portable X-Series Bluetooth Speaker in black, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. This compact speaker delivers impressive sound quality and a host of convenient features that make it a great choice for music lovers on the go.First and foremost, the sound produced by this speaker is outstanding. Despite its small size, the SRS-XE200 delivers clear, rich audio with impressive bass response. The sound is well-balanced, and I was pleasantly surprised by the speaker's ability to fill a room with immersive sound. Whether I was listening to my favorite tracks or streaming a podcast, the audio quality was consistently excellent.The Bluetooth connectivity of the SRS-XE200 is seamless and hassle-free. Pairing my devices with the speaker was quick and easy, and I experienced no issues with dropouts or signal loss during usage. The speaker also has a decent wireless range, allowing me to move around without losing the connection.The portability of this speaker is a major highlight. It is lightweight and compact, making it ideal for taking on the go. I appreciated the built-in rechargeable battery, which provided several hours of playback time on a single charge. Additionally, the speaker's sleek design and black color give it a modern and stylish look that blends well with any decor.Another useful feature of the SRS-XE200 is the built-in microphone, which allows for hands-free calling. I found this particularly convenient when receiving calls while playing music. The speaker automatically switches to call mode, and the microphone picked up my voice clearly without any distortion.One minor drawback is the lack of water resistance, so it's important to keep the speaker away from water or moisture. Additionally, while the overall sound quality is excellent, audiophiles may desire slightly more nuanced audio performance.In conclusion, the Sony SRS-XE200 Portable X-Series Bluetooth Speaker is a top-notch device that delivers impressive sound quality, ease of use, and portability. Its sleek design and reliable Bluetooth connectivity make it a fantastic option for those who want to enjoy high-quality audio on the go. I highly recommend this speaker to anyone in search of a compact and reliable Bluetooth speaker.Rating: 4.5/5
Fast free delivery, ordered online from Sony on Saturday, delivered within a 1 hour timeslot the following Monday morning! Bought 2 and played as a stereo pair. Overall very happy. Mainly used with Hiby R2 dap. Only used indoors up to yet. Bluetooth connection very stable and after the initial stereo set up (via Android phone/Music centre app) speakers connect almost instantly when switched on subsequently. Music centre app easy to use to update firmware and implement the battery care mode feature, there's also an equaliser available but I prefer to play flat. Very good build quality. Very happy with sound quality, crisp clear sound without being sibilant and good bass considering their size. Good stereo separation. Really good volume, not needed to go above 70% (no ... MoreFast free delivery, ordered online from Sony on Saturday, delivered within a 1 hour timeslot the following Monday morning! Bought 2 and played as a stereo pair. Overall very happy. Mainly used with Hiby R2 dap. Only used indoors up to yet. Bluetooth connection very stable and after the initial stereo set up (via Android phone/Music centre app) speakers connect almost instantly when switched on subsequently. Music centre app easy to use to update firmware and implement the battery care mode feature, there's also an equaliser available but I prefer to play flat. Very good build quality. Very happy with sound quality, crisp clear sound without being sibilant and good bass considering their size. Good stereo separation. Really good volume, not needed to go above 70% (no distortion) volume yet indoors. Only criticisms are: 1 The colour, a black option would have been preferable to grey. 2 The hi res LDAC codec cannot be utilised when used as a stereo pair. They're minor gripes, would have been 5 stars otherwise. Would definitely recommend.
Although Sony continues to lead with creativity and quality in the very crowded market of Blue Tooth speakers overall (especially for Bass Lovers), This latest effort is not quite what I have come to expect from Sony speakers, although still a solid speaker overall.Blue Tooth connections were smooth, seamless, and very easy and intuitive to do, so no surprises there. I am a fan of speakers that still have physical buttons on the speaker, in case of unforeseen issues that could arise from speakers that almost strictly use apps to operate. The dedicated battery stamina button is great and appreciated, above using a system of beeps and flashes like other less user-friendly devices of this type. The shape/design of the speaker seems to help give a fuller sound from ... MoreAlthough Sony continues to lead with creativity and quality in the very crowded market of Blue Tooth speakers overall (especially for Bass Lovers), This latest effort is not quite what I have come to expect from Sony speakers, although still a solid speaker overall.Blue Tooth connections were smooth, seamless, and very easy and intuitive to do, so no surprises there. I am a fan of speakers that still have physical buttons on the speaker, in case of unforeseen issues that could arise from speakers that almost strictly use apps to operate. The dedicated battery stamina button is great and appreciated, above using a system of beeps and flashes like other less user-friendly devices of this type. The shape/design of the speaker seems to help give a fuller sound from all angles, with no noticeable drop in sound quality regardless of the position of the speaker.Battery Life was also great, with what felt to me to be a fairly quick charge for a speaker that can go days with fairly heavy usage. Standby battery power retention is also great, as I meant to take this on vacation but forgot it for a week, and returned to find it was still sitting at a full 100% charge after leaving it for a week. Portability is also great, especially with the handy carrying cord attached to it, and it is sized in a way that fits nicely within a book bag or travel case too.The reason for the one-star deduction is regarding sound control, as Treble control is limited. There are no preset EQs or specific Bass boost function on this model, and unlike other Sony speakers I've used in the past, a virtual EQ from an app or computer is not as responsive here. Default sound is balanced enough to please the average music listener, and there's enough Bass control for a Bass lover to be content, but don't expect to manually tune out the treble to enjoy the bass line. Those soaring vocals will be ever-present regardless of what EQ settings you are using, although at lower volume levels, the speaker's Bass production can be felt more powerfully than at higher volumes, where things can be a bit muddy with the vocals and Bass together (again, a bit unusual for a Sony product). At time of writing, I was not able to access my Sony Music app, so it is possible there could be some sort of Sony-specific sound controls to alter the EQ of the speaker, but even if this is the case, I'd have taken a star off for that being the only way to access special sound settings.This will please most users without needing any adjustments, especially if you really want to hear those vocals clearly and consistently, but if you are looking for something to keep a party thumping to the Bass with minimal vocals (or more evenly balanced vocals), you may want to look into one of Sony's other more powerful Bass producing devices. Again, not bad, but not necessarily able to give you that extra bump that some more Bass-heavy speakers from Sony and others can give you. A good mid-ranger for any music-lover's speaker collection, but not necessarily la-creme-de-la-creme for Bass lovers. Would recommend, but caution Bass aficionados, as there are many competitors (even within Sony's own line-up) that may meet Bass needs better in this class range.
Sony have become my go-to for portable bluetooth speakers. They always seem to be able pack such a huge punch from such a small form factor. And the SRS-XE200 is no exception.The speaker actually, doesn't look like a conventional speaker when you open it up. The typical 'speaker mesh' is almost non existent, save for a 1" wide strip down one side (depending on the orientation of the speaker) and a small ring top and bottom. This is due to the 'Line Shape Diffuser', which has been inspired by professional concert audio systems. What this does is allows the sound to be diffused evenly across a wide area without compromising sound quality.In reality, depending where you are, you hear the soundscape somewhat substantially differently. If you are directly in front of ... MoreSony have become my go-to for portable bluetooth speakers. They always seem to be able pack such a huge punch from such a small form factor. And the SRS-XE200 is no exception.The speaker actually, doesn't look like a conventional speaker when you open it up. The typical 'speaker mesh' is almost non existent, save for a 1" wide strip down one side (depending on the orientation of the speaker) and a small ring top and bottom. This is due to the 'Line Shape Diffuser', which has been inspired by professional concert audio systems. What this does is allows the sound to be diffused evenly across a wide area without compromising sound quality.In reality, depending where you are, you hear the soundscape somewhat substantially differently. If you are directly in front of the speaker, the sound is almost hypnotic, it's so immersive. I had the speaker on my chest as I lay down testing it, listening to Within Temptation and I was covered in wave after wave of sound, feeling as if I was almost inside the speaker.Then when placing the speaker on an entertainment unit and walking around the room, you had a different feel - the sound was nice and deep, full bodied as the music went though heavy guitars, piano and very distinct female vocals. The sound almost followed you around the room as you walked. Very incredible that the 1" wide speaker opening allows this dynamic sound scape.The XE200 is the perfect outdoor companion, whether in the mountains, in the desert or by the pool. It's IP67 water/dust/shock rating means that it's suitable for almost anything you throw at it (or potentially throw it at!). As long as you have the back USB-C charging port covered (Sony makes this abundantly clear in the documentation) the speaker is rated to be able to withstand being at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes, and still continue to work! So the inevitability of it being dropped poolside, and falling in the water shouldn't be an issue for this speaker. It's not just 'splash resistant' so you have that piece of mind. Conversely, dropping onto a hard surface shouldn't affect the speaker either, with it's shockproof casing and extensive shock testing. And finally, dust, the IP67*2 rating means that it was subjected to being stirred in dust particles for 8 hours with no ingress of debris. Pretty impressive!TL;DR - You can drop it, get it wet, and dusty, and it will be fine!If you download the Sony Music Center app, you have more control over the speaker - although not as much control as previous speakers - which is why I've docked a star. You are able to adjust the equalizer for the speaker but that is about it. There have been more app available speaker settings on other Sony portable speakers that I've had that really enhance that 'wow' factor. Aside from the equalizer there isn't a separate 'bass' control'. And in previous incarnations, there have been predetermined Sony settings that enhance the sound depending on what you're listening to. That seems something that could be quickly and easily enhanced with a simple software upgrade.Speaking of the bass, this small speaker packs a great thumping bass due to it's X-Balanced technology which uses a non circular diaphragm which releases more sound pressure compared to a circular diaphragm. Coupled with dual passive radiators, significantly increases its bass response.You are able to use the speaker comfortably for a whole day on a single charge, Sony really do have battery life down when it comes to portable speakers, very impressive indeed. Using the USB-C charging cord that's included, you get a full 24 hours of playtime from a single charge. And you can gain an additional 70 minutes of play time from just a quick 10 minute charge. It also has a battery care feature that will stop charging right before 100% capacity to help save the overall battery life.Using the Party Connect feature, you can link two (or more) of these together, to create a Stereo sound field. And with a clear microphone with echo cancelling technology, you can use it paired to a computer for meetings and have clear and accurate conversations.This speaker will become our default choice when heading out to the cabin, without fear of it getting damaged by the elements, being dropped or getting dusty. It is nice and rugged to put in the back of the Bronco and go!I've been very impressed with the speaker so far, if some additional sound options were made available in the Music Center App, and possibly a tweak to the max volume level, then this would be almost the perfect 'getaway' speaker for out in the wilderness. Long battery life with great IP67 protection, it's light, with a carry strap as well, perfect for on the go!
I am so impressed with how Sony continues to reduce the size and weight of these portable speakers while continuing to improve the sound. At 1 lb and 9" long, the SRSXE200 X-Series is another well made portable speaker that is light enough to go anywhere, but loud enough to be used poolside. With the IP67 design, and charging port cover, I haven't had any issues with water or dirt impacting performance when taking this speaker camping, kayaking, or to the pool.In the box is the speaker with carry strap, USB-C charging cable, and manual. Setup is seamless, I pressed the bluetooth button, and within seconds a connection prompt appeared on my Android phone. Select connect and you're done. I did charge it fully out of the box, and have used it for 8 hours straight, ... MoreI am so impressed with how Sony continues to reduce the size and weight of these portable speakers while continuing to improve the sound. At 1 lb and 9" long, the SRSXE200 X-Series is another well made portable speaker that is light enough to go anywhere, but loud enough to be used poolside. With the IP67 design, and charging port cover, I haven't had any issues with water or dirt impacting performance when taking this speaker camping, kayaking, or to the pool.In the box is the speaker with carry strap, USB-C charging cable, and manual. Setup is seamless, I pressed the bluetooth button, and within seconds a connection prompt appeared on my Android phone. Select connect and you're done. I did charge it fully out of the box, and have used it for 8 hours straight, and for a total of ~15 hours prior to the next charge. To get even more functionality, you will also want to install the Sony Music Center app. This allows for customized audio settings and controls the Party Connect functionality.The sound quality, especially for the size, is fantastic, and will fill a room with quality sound that has depth and tone at all ranges. The bass isn't overpowering and the treble isn't tinny due to the combination of Sony's Line-Shape Diffuser build and X-Balanced technologies.Other features to note are Echo Cancelling technology to allow multiple parties to speak using the speaker for calling. This supports clear sound from both people talking, and doesn't cut anyone off. I found the built in mic to be a bit limited on the distance it will pick up my voice, but this isn't my primary use for the speaker, and I consider this limitation to be minor. Another unique feature is the "Party Connect" option. From the app, this function allows for up to 100 Sony compatible speakers to be linked for large rooms, outdoor venues, and parties. Lastly, from the app, there is a Stereo Pair function that allows pairing of two speakers for stereo sound that provides portable sound for an immersive sound experience, or even movies.Overall the SRSEX200 gets a strong recommendation from my active family. To date, I have taken this speaker hiking, camping, sports events, to the lake and the pool, it has been dropped multiple times, accidentally kicked, and caught in a rain storm. No matter what happens, the speaker still performs well, can keep up with my activity level, and the sound cannot be beat from such a portable speaker!
