The Sony SRS-XB12 is a Bluetooth speaker that's easy to take with you on-the-go. Thanks to its sturdy, well-built design and excellent battery performance, it can easily handle long days outdoors. Although it has to downmix stereo content into mono to play this content, it also has a wide soundstage. However, like most small speakers, it lacks low-bass, and it doesn't have an EQ for you to tweak its sound. It also doesn't get very loud, but there's minimal compression at max volume, so your audio sounds clean.
Our Verdict
The Sony SRS-XB12 is acceptable for music. It has a balanced mid-range for reproducing vocals and lead instruments clearly. However, it lacks low-bass, and the upper harmonics of vocals and lead instruments can sound a little bright. It also lacks an EQ, which is disappointing if you want to tweak its sound. Although it can't get very loud, there are minimal compression artifacts at max volume.
- Wide and large soundstage.
- Few compression artifacts at max volume.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Lacks low-bass.
The Sony SRS-XB12 is disappointing for videos and movies. It lacks low-bass, so action-packed sound effects don't sound as immersive, and it doesn't get very loud. However, there are minimal compression artifacts at max volume, which ensures clean and pure audio reproduction at a high volume. It also has low latency on Android and iOS, which is great for streaming videos.
- Low audio latency on Android and iOS.
- Few compression artifacts at max volume.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Lacks low-bass.
The Sony SRS-XB12 is decent for podcasts. It can reproduce voices clearly, although it can sound a little bright, and it's portable enough to easily move it to different rooms of your home. It also has outstanding directivity so your podcast sounds clear from all angles. However, it doesn't get very loud. It also can't be paired with more than one device at a time.
- Wide and large soundstage.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The Sony SRS-XB12 is poor for voice assistants. It just uses the voice assistant from your paired smartphone, but it doesn't have any built-in features. Also, as part of our methodology, we use recorded voice commands to test the speaker. However, this speaker didn't respond. While it responded to normal speaking voices, this isn't part of our testing process.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The Sony SRS-XB12 is alright for outdoor use. It's well-built, has a carrying strap to make it easier to take with you on-the-go, and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, although we don't currently test for this. It also has an excellent battery performance, which is great for long days outside. However, its sound profile really lacks low-bass, and it doesn't get very loud.
- Wide and large soundstage.
- Few compression artifacts at max volume.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Lacks low-bass.
Changelog
- Updated Jul 05, 2023: Added market comparison with the Sony SRS-XB100 in the Frequency Response Accuracy box.
- Updated Feb 01, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jan 27, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Jan 18, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sony SRS-XB12 Mini Bluetooth Speaker comes in several color variants: 'Black', 'Blue', 'Green', 'Pink', 'Red', Gray', and 'Yellow'. We tested the Black variant, and you can see its label here. We expect all color variants to perform similarly to our model.
If you come across another variant, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Sony XB12 is a small speaker that's easy to take with you outdoors. Although it has a similar look to the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2, it only has a speaker on its top side and has to downmix stereo content into mono to play it. Even though it doesn't get that loud, it has very few compression artifacts at max volume. However, like many smaller speakers like the Sony SRS-XB01, it lacks low-bass. Check out our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers and the best cheap speakers.
The Sony SRS-XB12 is a better speaker than the JBL Go 3. The Sony has a slightly better-balanced sound profile and a wider soundstage. It also has a longer-lasting continuous battery life, and it can utilize your smartphone's voice assistant. However, the JBL is better built, and some users may prefer its smaller design.
The Sony SRS-XB12 is a better speaker than the JBL Clip 4 overall. The Sony has less compression present at max volume, so your audio sounds cleaner at louder volume levels. It supports voice assistants through your smartphone. It can also last over 13 hours from a single charge, though this can depend on your usage, and your experience may differ. That said, the JBL can produce a more extended low-bass. It also comes with a built-in hook to clip it to your bag.
The Sony SRS-XB13 is a slightly better speaker than the Sony SRS-XB12, though they're very similar. The XB13 can produce deeper bass and has a better-balanced sound profile than the XB12. That said, the XB12 comes with an AUX port you can use to wire your devices to the speaker. It can also get slightly louder with slightly fewer compression artifacts at max volume.
The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XB12. The Ultimate Ears is better-built and has a more balanced sound profile. Its soundstage is better as it can play stereo content and it can get much louder. However, the Sony supports voice assistants via your smartphone.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
