The Sony SRS-XG500 is a well-built portable speaker with an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance, so you can take it outdoors with you without needing to worry about it getting a bit wet. It can get quite loud, making it suitable to use at parties, and even has a few party features, including a mic/guitar input and customizable RGB lights around its passive radiators. With its ClearAudio+ and 'MEGA BASS' features enabled, it offers a somewhat boomy sound, though it struggles to reproduce the deep thump and rumble in low-bass that fans of bass-heavy music tend to enjoy. Thankfully, its companion app features a graphic EQ and presets you can use to customize its sound to your liking. Unfortunately, there's some compression at max volume, so your audio doesn't sound as clear at louder volumes.
Our Verdict
The Sony SRS-XG500 is alright for music. With its 'MEGA BASS' preset enabled and its ClearAudio+ feature turned on, it has a somewhat boomy sound profile. Unfortunately, it struggles to reproduce the deep thump and rumble in low-bass that's typically present in bass-heavy music, and its underemphasized treble range can make higher-pitched voices and lead instruments sound dull and veiled. Fortunately, its companion app features a graphic EQ and presets you can use to tweak its sound to your liking.
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Can get loud.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Compression artifacts present at max volume.
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Middling directivity.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is passable for videos and movies. With its ClearAudio+ and 'MEGA BASS' features enabled, it has a somewhat boomy sound profile. However, it struggles to reproduce low-bass, so you can't feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed scenes. Also, while it can get pretty loud, there's some compression at max volume, so your audio doesn't sound as clean during louder listening sessions. That said, it has low latency with iOS and Android devices, making it suitable for watching videos and movies, though some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may vary.
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Can get loud.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Compression artifacts present at max volume.
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Middling directivity.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is decent for podcasts. With its 'MEGA BASS' preset enabled and its ClearAudio+ feature turned on, it has a relatively balanced mid-range, so voices and dialogue are clearly and accurately reproduced. That said, the underemphasized treble range can make higher-pitched voices sound dull and veiled. It also has disappointing directivity, so audio doesn't sound as clear from all angles. However, you can pair the XG500 to two devices at once, which is handy if you need to switch between audio sources.
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Can get loud.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Compression artifacts present at max volume.
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Middling directivity.
The Sony SRS-XG500 doesn't support voice assistants.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is very good for outdoor use. This well-built portable Bluetooth speaker is rated IP66 for dust and water resistance, so you can take it outdoors with you without needing to worry about it getting a bit wet. It can last over 25 hours from a single charge, though this varies depending on your usage habits, and chosen volume levels. Additionally, it can get pretty loud, making it suitable to use at large parties. Unfortunately, there's some compression at max volume, so your audio doesn't sound as clean at louder volumes.
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Can get loud.
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IP66 rating for dust and water resistance.
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Mic/guitar input.
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Compression artifacts present at max volume.
- 6.8 Music
- 6.2 Videos/Movies
- 7.4 Podcasts
- 2.7 Voice Assistant
- 7.8 Outdoors
- Updated Aug 26, 2024: We've added a comparison between this speaker and the Sony ULT FIELD 7 in Frequency Response Accuracy.
- Updated Mar 11, 2024: Based on user feedback, we've tested how changing the EQ preset would affect the sound profile and added a graph to better demonstrate this.
- Updated Jan 05, 2023: Updated the results for Bluetooth version to 5.0.
- Updated Oct 21, 2022: Added a comparison to the JBL Boombox 3 in the 'Style' box.
- Updated Aug 31, 2022: Added a comparison with the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential in the 'Frequency Response Accuracy' box.
- Updated Aug 11, 2022: Added a comparison with the Sony SRS-XG300 in the 'Portability' and 'Compared To Other Speakers' boxes.
- Updated May 27, 2022: Adjusted product name from 'Sony XG500' to 'Sony SRS-XG500'.
- Updated Jul 15, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jul 12, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Jun 22, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jun 21, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jun 14, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sony SRS-XG500 only comes in one color variant: Black. you can find the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across other variants of this speaker, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
The Sony SRS-XG500 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that can get pretty loud, making it suitable for parties. It has a couple of party features like customizable RGB lights, and unlike the smaller Sony SRS-XG300, it comes with a mic/guitar input to wire external instruments to the speaker. It also has a built-in carrying handle similar to that of the JBL Boombox 2. Much like many Sony speakers we've tested, it comes with a ClearAudio+ feature that adjusts the speaker's sound according to your chosen audio. You can even use its USB ports to charge your devices or to play your music from a USB key. Unfortunately, there's quite a bit of compression at max volume, which affects the clarity of your audio during louder listening sessions.
See our recommendations for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best waterproof speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers for bass.
The JBL Boombox 3 is a better speaker for music than the Sony SRS-XG500. The JBL has a more balanced sound profile that can produce a deeper bass than the Sony. While it doesn't get as loud as the Sony, it has much less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner-sounding audio quality at louder volume levels. It also has a longer-lasting battery life of almost 30 hours from a single charge, almost four hours more than the Sony, and it's better built. That said, the Sony comes with party-related features like a mic/guitar input, and it's compatible with Sony's Fiestable app, which lets you access extra party features of the speaker, like sound effects.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is a better speaker than the JBL Xtreme 3 overall. The Sony can get a bit louder with slightly less compression present at max volume. It has a longer-lasting battery life of almost 26 hours, and you can connect an external guitar or microphone to the speaker. It also has a boomy sound profile with the MEGA BASS feature on that can produce a more extended low-bass than the JBL. That said, the JBL is smaller, making it more portable. Its sound profile is also better-balanced out of the box.
You may prefer either the JBL Boombox 2 or the Sony SRS-XG500, depending on your preferences. The JBL has a better-balanced sound profile and has slightly fewer compression artifacts present at max volume. It also has somewhat better directivity, resulting in a wider-sounding soundstage. That said, the Sony comes with a mic/guitar input you can use to wire an external mic or guitar to the speaker. It also comes with customizable RGB lights, and extra party features on its Fiestable app.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is a better overall speaker than the Sony SRS-XB43. The XG500 can get louder than the XB43 and has a somewhat wider-sounding soundstage. It also has a much longer battery life, lasting over 25 hours from a single charge, though this can depend on your usage. That said, the XB43 is smaller, more portable than the XG500, and supports voice assistants through your smartphone, though its performance isn't great.
The Sony SRS-XG500 and the Sony SRS-XP500 are both versatile speakers, but depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The XP500 is a big party speaker with flashing RGB lights as well as mic and guitar inputs for karaoke. It reproduces a touch more bass, too. However, it's not as portable as the XG500, and its battery life doesn't last as long. Plus, it doesn't get quite as loud. If you want a party speaker with all the bells and whistles, check out the XP500, but if you prefer a more portable option, the XG500 is a really solid pick.
The Sony SRS-XG300 is a more versatile speaker than the Sony SRS-XG500 overall. You can use the XG300 to answer and reject phone calls, and it supports voice assistants through your smartphone. It's smaller and lighter too, making it more portable. That said, if you're looking for a portable speaker to bring to your next party, the XG500 is the better choice. It can produce a slightly more extended low-bass and comes with mic and guitar inputs you can use to wire your external instruments to the speaker. It also has a longer-lasting battery life of almost 26 hours from a single charge, so the speaker doesn't die on you in the middle of your party.
The Sony ULT FIELD 7 is essentially a revamped version of the Sony SRS-XG500. While the design essence remains the same, and both speakers feature IP67 ratings and karaoke features, there have been some upgrades that give the newer speaker an edge. It has a more balanced sound profile overall, with two toggleable levels of bass enhancement via the 'ULT' button. The ULT FIELD 7 can get louder, too, though there's more compression than the SRS-XG500 as you turn the volume up. Beyond this though, there aren't too many benefits to picking up the newer edition. The ULT FIELD 7 has a shorter continuous battery life and higher latency with iOS and Android devices, so if you can find the SRS-XG500 in stock or on sale, it could represent better value for you.
The JBL PartyBox 310 is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XG500, though this depends on your listening habits. The JBL has a better-balanced sound profile out of the box and can produce a deeper low bass than the Sony. It can also get louder, with less compression at max volume, resulting in cleaner audio at louder volumes. However, the Sony is smaller and more portable than the JBL. It's also better built with an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance and has a longer-lasting battery life.
The JBL PartyBox Encore Essential is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XG500. The JBL offers a better-balanced sound profile with its Bass Boost feature set to 'Deep' and can produce a deeper and thumpier low-bass at a more affordable price point. That said, while both speakers feature a mic input, you can use the Sony speaker's mic input to wire a guitar to the speaker. It has a longer-lasting battery life of almost 26 hours. It's compatible with Sony's Fiestable app, while the JBL is compatible with the JBL PartyBox app, which lets you access the speaker's extra party features.
The Ultimate Ears HYPERBOOM is a better speaker than the Sony SRS-XG500 overall. With its Adaptive EQ feature turned on, the Ultimate Ears has a better-balanced sound profile, a wider-sounding soundstage, and can get slightly louder than the Sony with significantly less compression at max volume. That said, the Sony features customizable RGB lights and a mic/guitar input.
The JBL PartyBox 100 is a slightly better speaker than the Sony SRS-XG500. The JBL can get louder with less compression at max volume, resulting in a cleaner sound. It also has a wider-sounding soundstage and a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, the Sony is better built with an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance, though we don't test for this. It's also smaller and more portable than the JBL and comes with a graphic EQ and presets you can use to tweak its sound to your liking.
The Sony XG500 is a better speaker than the SOUNDBOKS Go overall. The Sony is a smaller and lighter party speaker, making it more portable. It's better-built with an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance that certifies it to be dust-tight and protected against direct contact with water for up to three minutes. It can play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, resulting in a more immersive-sounding soundstage. It also comes with a mic/guitar input with its very own volume knob and two USB ports to charge your devices and playback audio. That said, the SOUNDBOKS can get much louder than the Sony. Its battery also lasts around 10 hours longer, and you can purchase a spare battery and switch it once it drains, so it never has to die on you in the middle of the party.
The Sony SRS-XG500 is a better speaker than the Monster Rockin' Roller 270X overall. The Sony offers a better-balanced, boomy sound profile that can produce a slightly more extended low-bass. It can also play stereo content without downmixing it to mono, resulting in a more immersive-sounding soundstage. It's smaller and more portable too. Both speakers feature mic/guitar inputs. However, the Monster features radio capabilities and comes with an external microphone included in the box. It also has a Qi wireless charging pad you can use to charge your devices and offers a longer-lasting battery life.
Test Results
The Sony XG500 is a portable Bluetooth speaker that looks somewhat similar to the JBL Boombox 2 and JBL Boombox 3. Its physical controls are on the top right, and the speaker is meant to sit horizontally. It has a large built-in carrying handle to help with transporting it and has customizable RGB lights on its sides, surrounding its passive radiators.
The Sony XG500 is very portable. While it's a little bit large, it has a built-in handle you can use to carry it around with you with one hand. It's also battery-powered, so you can take it outdoors with you without needing to plug it into a power outlet. If you're looking for a similar speaker that's smaller, check out the Sony SRS-XG300, which comes with a retractable carrying handle.
This speaker has very good build quality and feels pretty solid, though it doesn't feel as premium as it looks. Its plastic body is mostly wrapped by a tight-fitting fabric. Its built-in carrying handle is made of plastic that feels hollow on the inside, and there are RGB lights around its passive radiators. There's also a flap protecting the ports on its rear, and the speaker is rated IP66 for dust and water resistance, meaning it's certified to be dust-tight and protected against direct contact with water for up to three minutes.
The Sony XG500 has a decent selection of physical, texturized controls that are pretty easy to use. On top, you can find controls for the speaker's basic functions like its power, Bluetooth pairing, play/pause, and volume buttons. The indicator light under the power button lights up when the speaker is charging and flashes slowly when its battery is running low. You can double press the play/pause button to skip to your next track and triple press it to backtrack. Also, you can press and hold its 'MEGA BASS' preset button to enable the speaker's 'Stamina' mode when you want to conserve its battery. This will cause its indicator light to flash orange.
On the rear of the speaker, you can find the Party Connect button, which you can use to connect to multiple other compatible speakers. Its battery button informs you of its battery level, and you can press the 'Light' button when you want to turn its side RGB lights on. There's also a mic/guitar input with its very own volume knob, and there's a 'Guitar' Mode button you can enable when connecting your speaker to an external guitar.
The Sony XG500 has a fair frequency response accuracy. It has a somewhat boomy sound profile, though it struggles to reproduce the deep thump and rumble in low-bass typically present in bass-heavy music like hip-hop and EDM. That said, it has a somewhat balanced mid-range, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix. However, the underemphasis in the treble range can make higher-pitched voices and instruments sound dark and veiled. Fortunately, its companion app features a graphic EQ and EQ presets you can use to tweak its sound to your liking, or you can check out the Sony ULT FIELD 7, which has a more neutral treble range reproduction. For a portable party speaker that can produce a more extended low-bass, check out the JBL PartyBox Encore Essential.
Note: The speaker was tested horizontally, with its 'MEGA BASS' preset enabled, and its ClearAudio+ feature turned on.
The Sony XG500's soundstage is alright. Unfortunately, this stereo speaker has middling directivity, so its soundstage can be perceived as narrow and directional. The overemphasis in the treble range can also make it sound uneven.
It's dynamics performance is good. It can get pretty loud, making it suitable to use outdoors or at parties. Unfortunately, there's some compression at max volume, so your audio doesn't sound as clean at louder volume settings. If you want a party speaker that can get even louder, check out the JBL PartyBox 100, and the more portable SOUNDBOKS Go.
The Sony XG500 has an outstanding battery performance and can last just under 26 hours from a single charge. That said, battery life can vary depending on your usage habits and chosen settings, so your real-world experience may differ. It also has a handy power-saving feature that shuts the speaker off following 15 minutes of inactivity. You can enable and disable it in its companion app. For another feature-packed party speaker with an even longer-lasting battery life, check out the Monster Rockin' Roller 270X.
The Sony XG500's Sony Music Center app is very good. It has a graphic EQ and EQ presets to adjust the speaker's sound to better suit your preferences. We found that adjusting the EQ by around five increments would result in a 3dB increase in bass and mid frequency levels, with a slightly smaller change in treble output. You can see a graph comparing the EQ presets here.
There's also a 'Live Sound' feature advertised to make your audio sound like you're listening at a live event. You can use the app to pair the speaker to another compatible speaker to create a stereo pair or to multiple other speakers when you want your audio to fill a large room without increasing the volume. The SRS-XG500 is even compatible with the Fiestable app, which you can use to control the speaker's extra party features. You can control the XG500's RGB lights using both apps.
The Sony XG500 has a couple of wired inputs aside from its power port. There's an AUX port you can use to wire your devices directly to the speaker. It has two USB ports you can use to charge your devices. That said, you can use one of them as a USB key playback port that supports mp3, WMA, and WAV formats. However, it doesn't support USB Audio. Finally, you can connect an external mic or guitar to the speaker thanks to its dedicated mic/guitar input, with its very own volume knob.
The Sony XG500 has excellent Bluetooth connectivity. You can pair the speaker to up to two devices at once, which is handy when you need to quickly and frequently switch between audio sources. It also has low latency with iOS and Android devices, making it suitable for watching videos and movies over this connection. That said, some apps compensate for latency differently, and your experience may vary.