JBL Go 3 vs Sony SRS-XB100: Which Speaker Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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JBL Go 3

Sony SRS-XB100

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Sep 24, 2024 06:33 PM

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated May 05, 2025 06:59 PM

JBL Go 3 Picture

Sony SRS-XB100 Picture

Bluetooth Yes

Wi-Fi No

Speakerphone No

Voice Assistant No

Battery Powered Yes

Bluetooth Yes

Wi-Fi No

Speakerphone Yes

Voice Assistant Yes

Battery Powered Yes

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Our Verdict

JBL Go 3

Sony SRS-XB100

The Sony SRS-XB100 is better than the JBL Go 3. They're both small portable Bluetooth speakers, but the Sony performs better. Its low-frequency extension is better, so you get more bass in the mix. Its battery life is better, too, and its companion app makes it easier to control through your paired smartphone. Plus, with a 360-degree design, the Sony has a better soundstage than the JBL.

Variants

Go 3 (Black)
Go 3 (Blue)
Go 3 Eco (Blue)
Go 3 (Blue/Pink)
Go 3 (Green)
Go 3 Eco (Green)
Go 3 (Grey)
Go 3 (Orange)
Go 3 (Pink)
Go 3 (Red)
Go 3 (Squad)
Go 3 (Teal)
Go 3 (White)
Go 3 Eco (White)
Go 3 (Yellow)

SRS-XB100 (Black)
SRS-XB100 (Blue)
SRS-XB100 (Light Gray)
SRS-XB100 (Orange)

Review

See JBL Go 3 Review

See Sony SRS-XB100 Review

Check Price

Black

Go 3

Black

SRS-XB100

Blue

Go 3

Blue

SRS-XB100

Blue

Go 3 Eco

Orange

SRS-XB100

Orange

Go 3

Light Gray

SRS-XB100

Blue/Pink

Go 3

Green

Go 3

Green

Go 3 Eco

Grey

Go 3

Pink

Go 3

Red

Go 3

Squad

Go 3

Teal

Go 3

White

Go 3

White

Go 3 Eco

Yellow

Go 3

Main Differences for

Music

Threshold

0.10

Music

5.5

6.2

Frequency Response Accuracy

5.4

6.2

Soundstage

6.0

7.4

Dynamics

6.3

5.7

Full Comparison

Music

5.5

6.2

Videos/Movies

5.3

5.7

Podcasts

7.1

7.2

Voice Assistant

2.8

4.9

Outdoors

6.1

6.9

Design

Style

Style Photo

JBL Go 3 Style Photo

Sony SRS-XB100 Style Photo

RGB Lights

No

No

Show Text

Portability

9.5

9.5

Dimensions Photo

JBL Go 3 Dimensions Photo

Sony SRS-XB100 Dimensions Photo

Volume

16 in³ (266 cm³)

32 in³ (523 cm³)

Weight

0.4 lbs (0.2 kg)

0.4 lbs (0.2 kg)

Power Source

Battery & USB

Battery & USB

One-Hand Carry

Yes

Yes

Show Text

Build Quality

8.3

8.1

Build Quality Photo

JBL Go 3 Build Quality Photo

Sony SRS-XB100 Build Quality Photo

Material Quality

Great

Good

Water Resistance

Submersible (IPx7)

Submersible (IPx7)

Dust Resistance

Dust-Proof (IP6x)

Dust-Proof (IP6x)

Impact Resistance

Unspecified

Unspecified

Floats In Water

Unspecified

Yes

Show Text

Controls

6.6

7.9

Controls Photo

JBL Go 3 Controls Photo

Sony SRS-XB100 Controls Photo

Controls Photo 2

JBL Go 3 Controls Photo 2

Sony SRS-XB100 Controls Photo 2

Ease Of Use

Great

Great

Feedback

Good

Good

Music Play/Pause

Yes (Physical)

Yes (Physical)

Call Answer/End

No

Yes (Physical)

Volume Up/Down

Yes (Physical)

Yes (Physical)

Track Next/Previous

Forward Only (Physical)

Yes (Physical)

Microphone On/Off

No

No

Additional Controls

Yes

Yes

Show Text

In The Box

In The Box Photo

JBL Go 3 In The Box Photo

Sony SRS-XB100 In The Box Photo

Show Text

Sound

Frequency Response Accuracy

5.4

6.2

Frequency Response Graph

Slope

-0.31

-0.77

Std. Err.

2.42 dB

4.02 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

138.5 Hz

76.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

16.5 kHz

18.2 kHz

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw Frequency Response Graph

Binaural Recording @ 1m

Binaural Recording @ 2m

Soundstage

6.0

7.4

Directivity Graph

Directivity Index

3.78 dB

1.05 dB

Stereo

No (mono)

No (mono)

Show Text

Dynamics

6.3

5.7

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

79.6 dB SPL

80.5 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

1.36 dB

2.81 dB

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

5.6

9.0

Battery Life

5.0 hrs

20.7 hrs

Charge Time

2.0 hrs

3.0 hrs

Power Saving

Yes

Yes

Charging Port

USB-C

USB-C

Battery Powered

Yes

Yes

Show Text

Voice Assistant

0.0

3.1

Alexa

No

No

Google Assistant

No

Yes (Requires Smartphone)

Speakerphone

No

Yes

Siri

No

Yes (Requires Smartphone)

Voice Assistant

No

Yes

Voice Activation

No

No

Microphone Mute

No Microphone

No

Far-Field Performance

No Microphone

Poor

Ambient Noise Performance

No Microphone

Mediocre

Show Text

App

0.0

3.4

App Picture

JBL Go 3 App Picture

Sony SRS-XB100 App Picture

App Name

No App

Sony Music Center

iOS

No

Yes

Android

No

Yes

EQ

No

No

Stereo Pair Mode

No

No

Party Mode

No

No

Multi-Room

No

No

Show Text

Connectivity

Wired

Aux Input

No

No

USB Audio

No

No

Other Ports

No

No

Show Text

Bluetooth

8.0

7.6

Bluetooth

Yes

Yes

Bluetooth Version

5.1

5.3

Bluetooth iOS Latency

109 ms

135 ms

Bluetooth Android Latency

65 ms

109 ms

Bluetooth Range

226.4 ft (69.0 m)

334.6 ft (102.0 m)

Multi-Device Pairing

No

No

Show Text

Wi-Fi

0.0

0.0

Wi-Fi Version

No Wi-Fi

No Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi Frequency Band

No Wi-Fi

No Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

No

No

Apple AirPlay

No

No

AirPlay Latency

N/A

N/A

Google Chromecast

No

No

Chromecast Latency

N/A

N/A

Check Price

Black

Go 3

Black

SRS-XB100

Blue

Go 3

Blue

SRS-XB100

Blue

Go 3 Eco

Orange

SRS-XB100

Orange

Go 3

Light Gray

SRS-XB100

Blue/Pink

Go 3

Green

Go 3

Green

Go 3 Eco

Grey

Go 3

Pink

Go 3

Red

Go 3

Squad

Go 3

Teal

Go 3

White

Go 3

White

Go 3 Eco

Yellow

Go 3

JBL Go 3

Sony SRS-XB100

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 1 year ago

JBL Go 3 vs Sony SRS-XB100: Main Discussion

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