These days there are portable speakers everywhere. The Bluetooth Wireless Speaker market has almost too many options, such as small mini models, pocket-size micro variants, and strong audio models. JBL and Sony both manufacture quality Bluetooth speakers and today we are going to compare JBL vs Sony Bluetooth speakers and help you to find the best product.
JBL is a company that is constantly hunting for, debuting some of the best speakers in Bluetooth. In the case of Bluetooth speakers, Sony is also a well-known and reliable brand name. Is JBL or Sony the question now? Which is the right Bluetooth speaker for you? In which should you invest?
Sony
The international brand Sony, which reigns over many electronic industries, is without a doubt, one of the leading corporations in the industry for sound systems. With unique architecture, longevity, and vivid sound quality for any user, Sony produces the most illustrious Bluetooth speakers.
Here are some of the best Sony Bluetooth speakers:
JBL
JBL offers audiophiles and music lovers, exceptional speakers that do not want to sacrifice the tonic and precision of a speaker. This brand is the best in the scene if you want the sleek and sophisticated audio sound from your Bluetooth speaker with the new features, like an audiophile.
You can check out these amazing JBL Bluetooth speakers:
How I rated the best Bluetooth speaker
The first step in choosing the right Bluetooth speaker to shop for is to decide on what purpose you want to use it. Some speakers may be for home use – other speakers may be for outdoors, listing whether you barbeque outside, etc. When you buy a Bluetooth headset, there are some things to consider:
Technology
The speaker’s most important thing is technology. During their production, different brands employ diverse concepts and engineering.
Dolby Atmos and Optical produce a richer echo in the ambient area. Any variations remain, however. Dolby Digital uses 2.0 to 5.1 or above channels whereas Dolby Atmos uses 3.1.2 to 4.1.4 channels. Bluetooth speakers can be set up in a horizontal and vertical arrangement which made Dolby Atmos more powerful. Digital provides audio from the current speaker, while Atmos uses hardware and software.
JBL is an industry leader with exclusive features such as Dolby Atmos, CONNECT, long-lasting built-in battery, waterproof design, AuraVox and supports Alexa Voice Assistant, Google Assistant, and Siri.
Sony is well-known for battery innovations, improved bass performance, Dolby Atmos, 360 real audio, unique architecture and management and supports Alexa Voice Assistant, Google Assistant, and Siri entirely.
Battery life
A key parameter to be taken into consideration is battery life. Each hour you don’t want to reload the speaker. It can last as long as you anticipate it would be required. The smaller speakers seem to have smaller and short battery life, but some of the bigger speakers may hope to last for 24 hours!
More normal running periods will be four to ten hours, and the average battery life would be defined by that. This is because the louder the speaker you play, the more current the speaker is used and the battery doesn’t last long until it has to be charged.
But make sure the battery life is long enough when you purchase the Bluetooth Loudspeaker. Also note if you don’t want the Li-ion batteries used totally download, so install them and don’t leave the speaker unloaded until usage. The amount of charge they will store will decrease as the batteries get older.
There is an extremely long-lasting battery in the JBL Charge 4 that is around 20hrs. The JBL Partybox can also run without any issues for almost 18hrs. Sony has come up with the SRS-XB32 Portable Extra Bass Bluetooth Speaker, which has a battery life of up to 24 hours.
Size
There are various sizes of Bluetooth headphones. The small conical or cylindrical types are targeted at very lightweight and luggage packing and larger types appear to have increased audio quality. This can be cylindrical or rectangular. The smaller the higher the better the audio output and the larger the battery can be used longer.
Most Bluetooth speakers of the Sony Speakers have cylindrical designs such as Sony SRS-XB12 and Sony SRS-XB32. But the Sony GTK-PG10 Party Speaker is made of a cuboidal box and the LSPX-S2 glass-speaker looks like a fancy candle made of glass.
Nearly all Bluetooth speakers in JBL are cylindrical, with or without a handle. JBL Clip has a short loop on the top of the circular speaker. The speakers from the JBL Party box series have incorporated handles and embedded rubber feet on two side panels and also on the bottom row, so that they can be horizontally or vertically oriented.
Waterproof
Since Bluetooth speakers are easily positioned in many places, often next to the sea and this is because most of them are waterproof. Water and electronics don’t match, so a waterproof speaker is very handy. Few speakers are submersible, and they are most commonly waterproof. The use of water-resistant speakers in the poolside or on the beach is extremely useful.
Sony has some very good waterproof Bluetooth speakers for outdoor use. XB41, XB402M, XB32, XB22, and many other portable speakers are waterproof. Likewise, JBL’s Go 2, Clip 3, Flip 5, Charge 4 are waterproof and capable of being a great outdoor speaker.
Connecting multiple speakers
Some speakers can connect for stereo sound to a second speaker. If stereo sound is significant, this function needs to be explored and placed on the list of want speakers, as many speakers already do it.
Sony 8 devices can be paired to the speaker JBL Partybox 1000 at the same time. Sony’s SRSX11, SRS-XB20, GTKXB90 are also capable of connecting with 8 extra devices.
NFC
It is typically very convenient to connect a music source like a smartphone or iPod to a Bluetooth speaker. With NFC, compatible devices may simply tap the two of the speakers together to link using Bluetooth.
The downside is that while iPhones have NFC features, they are used to pay Apple devices, which is why NFC is dedicated to this mainly for security purposes. This means that only Android phones can use this ability. But hey, connecting to Bluetooth these days is really easy.
Sony’s SRS-XB10, SRS-XB31 portable speakers can connect big sound to any device via Bluetooth or NFC. The same goes for JBL’s Flip series portable speaker.
Wired inputs
There is no Bluetooth for certain older models such as the iPod classical. You should either purchase an old wired audio cable or buy a cheap Bluetooth transmitter. Almost every speaker has a jack input of 3.5mm such that wire-only speakers can still be wired with the required cable.
It is still better to verify before any single speech has a jack input. Nearly all Bluetooth speakers from JBL and Sony have the ability to connect to the wire.
Speakerphone capability
You would need to make calls using a telephone as the source of audio. This can be achieved for speakers with a microphone and speaker functionality. This is helpful if you have a desk and use the speaker – may be quite upsetting for someone when using it next to the pool, as everyone is listening to the discussion.
You can also dial, answer phone calls with a microphone via JBL Flip, JBL Go, JBL Spark, JBL Clip, and several other handheld speakers. There are also speakerphones with multiple applications for SonySRS-XB23, SRS-xB12, XB 40, SRS-BTV5/BLK, as well as for other Bluetooth speakers.
There are a vast number of Bluetooth speakers available for purchase from several retailers. Some are quite inexpensive, others can be very pricey. Whatever you like, you should make the most of it, because consistency and efficiency are better – go for something really cheap if you want something like a journey, and leave it behind and don’t do that and not worry about it.
Streaming service
The goal of allowing the speaker to play music or audio from numerous streaming platforms is to be free. Any subscribers are Spotify, Deezer, and others choose music from Pandora or Amazon.
Sony will have various streaming platforms like Chromecast, Pandora, Spotify Connect, Xperia, SiriusXM, and several more. The subscription platforms vary with territories. It must be remembered. JBL products can be used to play audio tracks from Deezer, Shoutcast, and hundreds of streaming pages. It helps consumers to pick the service they want.
| Sony | JBL | |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof | XB41 XB402M XB32 XB22 | Go 2 Clip 3 Flip 5 Charge 4 Charge 3 Pulse 4 Xtreme 2 Boombox |
| NFC | SRS-XB10 SRS-XB31 SRS-XB20 SRSBTX300 | Flip 2 Flip 3 Flip 4 |
| Speakerphone capability | SRS-XB23 SRS-XB12 XB 40 SRS-BTV5/BLK | JBL Flip JBL Go JBL Spark JBL Clip |
| Streaming service | Chromecast Spotify Connect Pandora Xperia SiriusXM iHeartRadio Deezer | Spotify Deezer ShoutCast Google Play Music Pandora, iHeartRadio TuneIn |
| Technology | Dolby Atmos, 360 real audio, and gesture control technology | Dolby Atmos, CONNECT, long-lasting built-in batteries, water-proof design, AuraVox |
Model by Model Comparison
JBL CHARGE 3 vs Sony XB31
Comparison Chart:
| JBL CHARGE 3 | Sony XB31 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power Output | 20 W | Not Applicable |
| Drivers | 2 x 1.97″ / 50 mm | 2 x 1.89″ / 48 mm |
| Passive Radiators | Not Applicable | 1 |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz to 20 kHz | 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 80 dB | Not specified |
| Built-In Mic | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Not Applicable | 4.2 |
| Supported Bluetooth Profiles | A2DP AVRCP HFP HSP | A2DP AVRCP HFP HSP SPP |
| Wireless Range | Not Applicable | 98.4′ / 30 m |
| Inputs | Not Applicable | 1 x 1/8″ (3.5 mm) Stereo (Audio) 1 x USB Type-C (Power) |
| Outputs | 1 x USB Type-A | 1 x USB Type-A (Power) |
| USB Power Output | 5 VDC at 2.0 A | Not specified |
| Battery Capacity (mAh) | 6000 mAh | Not Applicable |
| Expected Battery Life | 20 Hours | 24 Hours |
| DC Input Power | 5 VDC at 2.3 A | Not Applicable |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 8.4 x 3.4 x 3.5″ / 21.3 x 8.7 x 8.9 cm | 9.09 x 3.43 x 3.19″ / 231 x 87 x 81 mm |
JBL CHARGE 3
Pros:
- Charges your device.
- Loud expansive sound.
- Prominent bass response.
- Device charging.
- Exceptional battery life.
- Fully waterproof.
- Tough build.
Cons:
- Muted highs.
- Big and heavy.
- Exposed woofers.
Sony XB31
Pros:
- Feature Packed.
- High Bass.
- Value for Money.
- Waterproof & Dustproof.
- Good Battery.
Cons:
- Minimal smarts
- Clunky app
- Not a Classy Design
- Adjusting line lights requires an app.
Both speakers are overall fine, well crafted, lightweight. They are perfect outdoors and beach speakers with their water safety and sturdy frame. It’s even better than XB31 I guess JBL charge 3. It has much more functionality than XB31. However, the battery life of XB31 is fine. Overall, the winner is JBL Charge 3.
JBL Flip 5 vs Sony XB41
Comparison Chart:
| JBL Flip 5 | Sony XB41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power Output | 20 W | Not Applicable |
| Drivers | 44mm | 2 x 2.28" / 58 mm |
| Passive Radiators | Not Applicable | 1 |
| Frequency Response | 65 Hz to 20 kHz | 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Built-in Display | Yes | Not Applicable |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | >80 dB | Not Specified |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Supported Bluetooth Profiles | A2DP 1.3 AVRCP 1.6 | A2DP AVRCP HFP HSP SPP |
| Bluetooth Transmitter Modulation | π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK, GFSK | Not Applicable |
| Wireless Range | 10 m | 98.4' / 30 m |
| Inputs | 1 x USB Type-C (Power) | 1 x 1/8" (3.5 mm) Stereo (Audio) 1 x USB Type-C (Power) |
| Outputs | None | 1 x USB Type-A (Power) |
| Battery Voltage | 3.6 V | Not Applicable |
| DC Input Power | 5 VDC at 3 A | Not Applicable |
| Expected Battery Life | 12 Hours | 24 Hours |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 7.13 x 2.91 x 2.72" / 181 x 74 x 69 mm | 11.46 x 4.09 x 4.13" / 291 x 104 x 105 mm |
JBL Flip 5
Pros:
- Simple design,
- 11 color options,
- Able to pair 8 JBL speakers
- Good sound quality
- Waterproof
- Excellent sound quality
Cons:
- Need compatible models to use PartyBoost,
- Checking battery life requires you to press the top buttons
- No speakerphone or voice assistant functionality
Sony XB41
Pros:
- Lots of basses.
- Durable and waterproof.
- 24-hour battery life.
- DJ and Party features plus fun lighting options.
- Good Bluetooth range.
- USB port for smartphone charging.
Cons:
- Lacks volume.
- Sound quality is average at best.
- The app needs improvement.
- Lots of basses
The JBL Flip 5 promises a serious acoustic update if you’re able to ignore your aux input, built-in microphone, wireless networking, and stereo sound. Although the Sony XB41 may not be the best speaker with Bluetooth, it is still good for money when it comes to sound quality. However, JBL Flip 5 is the perfect Bluetooth Speaker for me, apart from specs.
JBL Go 2 vs Sony SRS-XB12
Comparison Chart:
| JBL Go 2 | Sony SRS-XB12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power Output | 1 x 3 W | Not Applicable |
| Drivers | 1 x 1.57" / 40 mm | 1 x 1.81" / 45.97 mm Full-Range |
| Passive Radiators | Not Applicable | 1 |
| Frequency Response | 180 Hz to 20 Hz | 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | ≥80 dB | Not Specified |
| Built-In Mic | Yes | Yes |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Not Applicable |
| Bluetooth | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Supported Bluetooth Profiles | A2DP 1.2 AVRCP 1.5 HFP 1.5 HSP 1.2 | A2DP AVRCP HFP HSP |
| NFC | Not Applicable | No |
| Bluetooth Transmitter Modulation | π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK, GFSK | Not Applicable |
| Wireless Range | 33' / 10.1 m | 32' / 9.8 m |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/8" (3.5 mm) Stereo (Audio) 1 x USB Micro-B (Power) | 1 x USB Micro-B (Power) 1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Stereo (Audio) |
| Expected Battery Life | 5 Hours | 16 Hours |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 3.39 x 2.8 x 1.24" / 86 x 71.2 x 31.6 mm | 2.91 x 3.62" / 74 x 92 mm |
JBL Go 2
Pros:
- Solid audio performance for the size.
- Amazing range of fun colors
- Can use as a speakerphone
Cons:
- Light on accessories.
- Can distort on deep bass tracks at high volumes.
Sony SRS-XB12
Pros:
- Portable, comes with a strap to hang it from your bag
- Loud and clear audio quality with good bass
- Excellent battery life
- Tactile buttons
Cons:
- 4 hours+ of charging time
- Can come close to distortion on some deep bass.
If you want just one speaker, I also recommend that you go with one of the speakers of JBL. But I think you’re better off with the Sony SRS-XB12 if you plan to recruit more speakers in the future. JBL has many interesting features including a battery level monitor, active noise cancellation, and many others. I surely walk with JBL Go 2.
Conclusion
Two tech giants, you’re compared. One is a business-oriented audio giant – JBL. The well-known legendary sound of JBL – fantastic low, clear mids, and clear highs – was some of its famous Bluetooth speakers. They had drivers bigger than normal and were never constructed at a rate. The JBL is even better at Bluetooth networking.
But Sony’s got their act together and how! Most of Sony’s mid-priced speakers sound very warm and rich these days. Sony’s products rely more on cellular and smaller handheld devices. However, it depends again on the kind of sound you like. Many customers like the ‘V-shaped sound signature-more bass and highs at the mids cost.
Comparing is probably not relevant because you make distinctions between very similar programs. There is potentially very similar lightweight, highly compact, battery-powered speakers of the same size. I selected JBLs for living room-sized, full-range speakers, and never regretted the decision.
What’s your favorite signature for sound? Generally speaking, a transducer’s frequency response will give you some useful feedback, but in order to ensure what’s right for you or your application, in a regulated environment, you must physically try all the speakers.
FAQs
Check out these questions for better understanding.
How do you connect an Android JBL Bluetooth speaker to it?
Go to Settings and switch on Bluetooth. Click “Pair New Device” on Bluetooth. Tap it and it should be combined with your phone when you see your JBL device show on the list.
Can you play 2 JBL speakers simultaneously?
Through Bluetooth, you can connect up to 100 JBL speakers wirelessly. The number can be doubled so you can listen to stereo sound.
How do I pair my portable JBL connection speaker?
- Using the Android Menu Settings
- Locate the applications menu and select it.
- Using the Settings icon to find and tap.
- Choose Bluetooth. You will need to pick Connections first.
- Choose the Bluetooth accessory you want to pair within the list of Available Devices.
Why is my Sony Bluetooth speaker starting to disconnect?
Issues can arise while you are running apps or accessing your mobile device’s settings. If you are running these procedures, interrupt the Bluetooth replay. Try to restart your mobile device and reconnect via Bluetooth to your wireless speaker.
How do I connect my Bluetooth speaker to my Sony?
Press and hold the (power) – pairing button until the voice guidance is heard and the (Bluetooth) indicator starts blinking rapidly. The speaker joins the mode for pairing. To detect the speaker, perform the pairing protocol on the Bluetooth source device.
How can you solve issues with a Bluetooth speaker?
Reset Bluetooth on your speaker-To clear all existing contacts, click the Bluetooth Disconnect button on your speaker. Then try connecting the audio system (i.e. the phone) again with your speaker. Maybe a couple of days ago, you were streaming audio to your Bluetooth speaker on another device.
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Freelance tech journalist & author of soundboxlab.com …Read More