The Sony SRS-XV500 is the most affordable entry in the company’s XV range of party speakers. It has a powerful bass output, dual-mic input, and a long-lasting battery. The speaker is well-made and has a sturdy build. It is also IPX4 rated, which means it can withstand splashes and spills. The speaker is relatively easy to carry around, thanks to the handy handle on top. However, the speaker’s body does get easily scratched. The speaker has a clever groove on top for keeping your phone, but it could be improved with a little lining of cloth or felt. The speaker also has a little rubber lid at the back, which covers multiple ports. However, the rubber lid keeps falling off and looks like it might wear out over time and let water in. The Sony SRS-XV500 comes with Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity. It also supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs. However, to enjoy audio in LDAC codec, your source device also needs to have support for it. The speaker has a USB type-A port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and two ports for mic input. However, it does not have an optical port. The Sony Music Center app lets you control all the light and sound functions of the speaker. You can also use the Fiestable app for a more personalized sound and light experience. The Sony SRS-XV500 has a powerful sound, with a strong bass output. However, the bass can be a little too much for some people. The speaker has a sound effect setting called “Mega Bass” which makes the bass even stronger. However, if you turn off the Mega Bass setting, the speaker sounds much better. It produces a clear and bright sound, and it can get really loud! The speaker’s sound quality is impressive for a portable speaker. The battery life of the Sony SRS-XV500 is up to 25 hours, but this is only achievable if all the light features are disabled and the volume level does not exceed the 40 per cent mark. In testing, with all the light features and the Mega Bass function enabled, and listening to tracks at around 70 per cent volume, the speaker lasted for around 7-8 hours. Overall, the Sony SRS-XV500 is a good party speaker with a powerful sound and long battery life. It is also IPX4 rated and has a built-in light show. However, the speaker does not have an optical port, so it cannot be used as a soundbar for a TV.
Sony SRS-XV500 Review: A Party Speaker with Powerful Sound and Long Battery Life
