Sony SRS-XV800 Review: High-Performance and Durable Portable Speaker for Garden Parties

The Sony SRS-XV800 inspires respect for its dimensions and price, as it is clear that this will certainly not be an ordinary loud speaker. In the same way, with the acquisition of this model, you will not have to worry about a lack of attention. How did it perform during the test?

Technical parameters Sony SRS-XV800

Package contents: including optical cable

Inside the package, in addition to the speaker itself (carefully packed), there are also all the necessary accessories in the form of a power cable (with a Czech end, but also the one you will use in Great Britain) or an optical cable, which can be used to connect the speaker to a TV, for example.

Design processing: it is not afraid of rain, but it will come through

The Sony SRS-XV800 ranks among the greatest portable battery-powered speakers I’ve had the pleasure of using so far. Just unpacking without damaging the box requires a certain physical condition. With a weight of less than 19 kg, fortunately, the manufacturer did not forget about the practical wheels, which will greatly facilitate moving the speaker, which is also equipped with a set of handles for easier portability.

Considering the higher price, the design pleases with the fact that the grille in front of the drivers is metal and overall the Sony SRS-XV800 looks very solid. On the back of the device with resistance according to IPX4, which means that it can also withstand rain, there is a hidden set of various connectors, among which we find USB-A with a power of 7.5 W, an optical input, a power port, microphone inputs + assigned to them intensity controls as well as several buttons related to connecting a microphone or guitar. On the upper side, there is a set of buttons headed by the off button and also prominent elements for adjusting the volume or pausing/starting playback.

One of the great attractions of this model is the LED backlight, which can be used to make the speaker flash in all possible colors, for example to the rhythm of the music. The only thing I personally miss is a classic remote control (with water resistance), which would come in handy at a party and would be a practical alternative to a smartphone remote control.

Connectivity: first and foremost

If you own an Android device, you can look forward to extremely easy pairing thanks to the Fast Pair function. After turning on the speaker, a pairing menu with the speaker will appear on your phone or tablet, which you only need to confirm, and you’re done. So there is no need to enter a PIN or wait for the speaker to appear in the list of nearby Bluetooth devices.

If you own another Sony SRS-XV800 speaker (or maybe your friends do), you can link them together. The well-known Music Center application will be used to control and set up the speaker. However, if you want to take full control of the lighting effects, or activate the DJ and Karaoke modes, you need to download the Fiestable app. Both apps are available for iOS and Android and are user-friendly.

Sound: neighbors, shake

The speaker commands respect not only with its larger dimensions and heavier weight, but also with the sound performance provided by three tweeters with a 6cm driver, a subwoofer with a 17cm driver and a rear tweeter unit with a 4cm driver. The combination of the above can ensure a very loud, but above all high-quality sound presentation, which will be most appreciated by music lovers with more pronounced bass. However, clean highs and nicely separated mid-range frequencies are not a problem for the speaker either.

Among the supported codecs, in addition to SBC and AAC, Sony’s LDAC is also present, which ensures listening in higher (lossless) quality. The possibility of connecting the speaker to the TV is very practical, which I tried using the included optical cable, and the result is a significantly improved sound from the TV.

Endurance: for one with a star

The manufacturer estimates a total of 25 hours of speaker life on a full charge, which is probably more than can be used in one piece. Due to the long life and the ability to use the speaker connected to a socket, the average user will not run out of power, on the contrary, thanks to USB-A, he can charge for example a smartphone or tablet from the speakers.

Evaluation

The Sony SRS-XV800 is an outdoor speaker for the most demanding users who want the longest possible battery life and high-quality sound. Another advantage is increased resistance according to IPX4, easy control or the possibility of connecting the speaker with mobile applications.

Photo: Ioannis Papadopoulos, fzone.cz