Sony XV800 X-Series Bluetooth Portable Party Speaker

4.7
Based on 211 customer reviews
4
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Customer Reviews Summary

The Sony XV800 X-Series Bluetooth Portable Party Speaker has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with most users appreciating its exceptional sound quality, strong bass performance, and impressive battery life. Customers consistently highlight the clarity of sound even at high volumes, making it a perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor events. Many reviewers mention that the volume level is sufficient for parties and gatherings, and the bass is strong enough to shake a room. The inclusion of features like Karaoke mic and guitar inputs, lighting effects, and wireless connectivity further enhances the speaker’s value. Users also appreciate the multi-device pairing capabilities, allowing multiple people to control the music seamlessly.

Reviewers often emphasize the speaker’s versatility, noting it works equally well as an entertainment system for TVs or as a standalone party speaker. Its ability to deliver clear audio over a large area makes it ideal for large gatherings, outdoor events, and even gym sessions. The build quality has also earned praise, as the speaker feels durable and sturdy despite its weight. Many customers have mentioned the well-thought-out design features, such as the sturdy handle and water-resistant body, making it functional in various environments.

However, while praised for its portability, some users note that the wheels are too small and only functional on smooth surfaces. A few reviewers encountered minor Bluetooth connectivity issues and expressed a desire for a remote control to adjust the speaker easily. Some users also felt that the speaker was pricey compared to similar models. Additionally, some customers noticed a drop in audio volume when using the speaker on battery power versus when plugged in. Despite these minor drawbacks, the speaker’s durable build, water-resistant design, and versatile functionality make it a popular choice among users looking for a premium sound experience.

PROS

  • Exceptional Sound Quality: Customers repeatedly praised the sound clarity, depth, and ability to perform well at high volumes. One user described it as “clear and crisp, even at full blast,” while another said, “The sound fidelity is unmatchable for its size.” The midrange and highs are particularly well-tuned, allowing for great balance across different music genres.
  • Powerful Bass Performance: The bass output is one of the speaker’s standout features, as users report feeling the vibrations even at a distance. “The bass will blow your pants off literally!” exclaimed a reviewer on Best Buy, while another noted, “It can shake objects on a table.” Several customers noted that the Mega Bass feature enhances the experience further without distorting the audio.
  • Long Battery Life: Many customers appreciate the 25-hour battery life, which allows uninterrupted playback for extended gatherings. “The battery lasted all day during a power outage,” said a satisfied user. The ability to bypass the battery when plugged in ensures its longevity, which is a thoughtful addition for frequent users.
  • Party-Friendly Features: Features like Karaoke and guitar inputs, lighting effects, and app customization make this speaker perfect for parties. A user remarked, “It’s got all the essentials for a backyard party and then some!” The Sony Music Center app allows for extensive control of sound settings, lights, and connectivity options, enhancing its usability.
  • Portability and Build Quality: Users find the speaker sturdy yet portable thanks to its integrated wheels and handles. “It’s heavy but rolls easily enough to move,” one reviewer shared. The rugged design makes it resistant to bumps and light splashes, ensuring it holds up well during outdoor events.
  • Versatility for Multiple Uses: The speaker works well as a soundbar alternative for TVs or as an all-in-one audio system for parties and events. Customers also use it in garages, home gyms, and backyards, highlighting its flexibility for various setups.

CONS

  • Portability Concerns: Although the speaker is equipped with wheels, some users found them inadequate for uneven surfaces. “The wheels are small and not ideal for rugged terrain,” noted one customer. For larger events that require frequent movement, portability could be improved.
  • Connectivity Issues: A few reviewers mentioned intermittent Bluetooth connectivity problems. One customer shared, “The Bluetooth won’t reconnect unless I reset the speaker.” Others noted occasional latency issues when using it as a soundbar for TVs.
  • No Remote Control: Many users wish the speaker included a remote control for ease of use. “A remote would make it so much easier to adjust the volume without getting up,” stated a reviewer. For a premium speaker, this is seen as a missed feature.
  • Price Point: Some customers feel the speaker is slightly overpriced for its features. “The sound is great, but for $700, I expected a bit more,” one reviewer said. Others compared it to competing brands offering similar performance at a lower cost.
  • Limited Lighting Effects: While the lighting feature is appreciated, some users find it underwhelming in brightness. “The lights are nice but not very dynamic,” commented a reviewer. Users looking for a more robust visual experience might be disappointed.
  • Reduced Battery Volume: Some reviewers noted that the volume drops slightly when the speaker runs on battery power versus when plugged in. While not a dealbreaker, this inconsistency has been mentioned in multiple reviews.

Who Should Buy?

The Sony XV800 X-Series Bluetooth Portable Party Speaker is ideal for those who prioritize powerful sound quality and deep bass for their entertainment needs. It’s perfect for party hosts, outdoor event organizers, and music enthusiasts looking for a versatile speaker with features like Karaoke inputs, guitar connectivity, and customizable lighting. The speaker’s ability to double as a sound system for TVs makes it suitable for households that enjoy immersive audio experiences. If you frequently host gatherings, work out in home gyms, or need a speaker for versatile indoor and outdoor setups, this model is an excellent choice. Despite its weight and price, the speaker’s long battery life, portability, and reliable build make it a solid investment for music lovers and audio enthusiasts who demand premium sound quality.

Do Users Recommend This Product?

Yes, the majority of users highly recommend the Sony XV800 speaker, with praise centered on its impressive sound quality, bass performance, and long-lasting battery life. Many reviewers believe it’s well worth the price for the features offered. As one user put it, “It’s a beast of a speaker—loud, clear, and perfect for parties.” Another mentioned, “Sony hit the mark with this speaker; it checks all the boxes for an outdoor party system.”

However, some users recommend exploring alternatives if portability or a remote control is a priority. Others noted that competitors offer similar performance at slightly lower prices. Overall, customers agree that the Sony XV800 delivers on its promise of premium performance, exceptional clarity, and powerful sound, making it a favorite choice for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether for family gatherings, movie nights, or backyard parties, this speaker consistently impresses its audience with high-quality audio and versatile features.

Check it out on Amazon

See the latest pricing for Sony SRS-XV800 X-Series Portable Bluetooth Karaoke Party Speaker IPX4 Splash-Resistant, 25 Hour-Battery, Omnidirectional Sound, Ambient Lights on Amazon

Customer Reviews

Updated on December 17, 2024

Showing 110 reviews of 211 reviews.

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MrJBGold J;~yJune 20, 2023

Sound quality and functionality exceeded expectations lack of remote and small wheels disappoint

This Sony SRS-XV800 is the second largest option in the X-Series of party speakers. There is no question that the sound quality, supported by the 5 tweeters (3 in front and 2 at rear) is every bit as good as you would expect from a Sony speaker at this price point. This speaker puts out a big sound that remains crisp and clear even at higher volumes. It has deep, rich bass that can be boosted using the Mega Bass function. The speaker looks amazing, and its visuals are enhanced by the RGB effects at the top and bottom. The speaker also offers a lot of versatility in its functionality. It supports Bluetooth and Optical connections including a choice between optical TV Sound Booster and full Optical sound. You can also play audio by plugging in a thumb drive into the USB A port which also can work as output to charge mobile devices. The speaker itself is rechargeable and will last up to 20 hours on a charge once disconnected from the power source. There is an auxiliary port, an input jack for guitar (to use the speaker as an amp), and an input jack for a microphone (to use the speaker for Karaoke or as a PA system). Much of the full functionality of the speaker can only be accessed by downloading and connecting Sony’s Music Center app. The app is where you can change the RGB lighting patterns, sound themes, power saving modes and more. There are two glaring problems with this speaker. At this price, it should have come with a remote control. As it is, you must have the app or use the buttons on the speaker to access certain functions such as changing inputs, activating the mega bass mode and more. There are party speakers at half the price with inferior design and sound quality that at least include a remote control. The other major issue is that the wheels are far too small, and the handle is fixed. This speaker is very heavy, so adding the wheels and handle is supposed to make it more portable. However, these plastic wheels are substantially inferior. At best they can be used to roll the speaker a short distance on a flat smooth surface. However, if you would want to take this speaker into a yard, or woods (for camping) or to the beach or anywhere there is rough or uneven terrain, the wheels on this speaker are useless. Also, because the handle is fixed you have to bend over to tilt the speaker into the rolling position and remain bent over while you roll it. Sony should have made the handle extendible or found a better way to make this speaker easier to move. The good news is that if you manage to get this speaker to your desired outdoor location, it is splash proof and therefore can handle getting a bit wet. Overall, I would recommend this speaker if you need big, clear sound unconstrained by wires with a lot of versatile input options but don’t mind struggling to move it where you want it.

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MichaelMay 25, 2023

This is now the greatest speaker I’ve ever used.

I recently was able to try a $600 speaker made by another well-known brand, and thought that was the best speaker ever.

Then this one came along. As soon as I saw this I knew I had to try it, Sony already makes such incredible headphones (both over-ear and in-ear) I knew I had to try this, and wow it did not disappoint.

Initially I ordered this to give to my brother because he’s been wanting a big portable speaker like this, but as soon as I heard it I immediately knew I had to keep this one, it was just breathtaking.

The base and speakers this thing has are indescribable. Seriously, I’ve used Sonos speakers, sound bars, subwoofers, Alexa subwoofers and speakers, HomePods and HomePod minis, and this crushes every single other speaker I’ve ever used, at every level.

Max volume:
This thing hits it.

Max bass:
This thing can shake objects on a table.

Surround sound in a room:
If you walk to the other side of this speaker you can’t even tell that you’ve moved, the surround sound design is incredible.

Connection options:
Absolutely perfect! As soon as I opened the (very meticulously designed) packaging and saw the optical cable, I was so insanely excited! I hooked this up to my TV 30 minutes later and was playing the Horizon Burning Sands DLC on my PS5 with the most incredible audio I’ve ever heard in my life. Every step the machines took I literally felt in my body from the bass of this speaker.

App support:
Totally awesome. Immediately upon pairing to my phone it connected me to the two apps I could use to control the lighting/settings on this speaker. The settings app is very well designed and I love all the options and configuration changes I can make to it, all over Bluetooth.

Battery life:
I haven’t really tested this yet, but Sony is obviously a very reputable brand and even their normal over-ear headphones can get 20+ hours of active listening, so I’m expecting very good battery life from this.

Lighting:
The lights on this are seriously so much better than I thought they were initially. There’s an actual light-bar built into the handle on the front of the speaker (and along the bottom) and they can do all kinds of crazy light changing/moving across the front of the speaker handle areas that seriously look great. Plus one of the apps they recommend lets you customize the lights exactly how you want them which is great.

All in all, this speaker is seriously extraordinary and the best speaker I’ve ever tried.

That being said, I think it has 2 small… use case issues.

1) If you want to carry this around often, you might want to look at some other speaker options. The handle and wheels on this are fine, but the portability of this is definitely not as great as the other expensive speaker I tried at this price range. The other speaker included an actual suitcase-style handle that would slide up and out of the speaker so you could wheel it anywhere (whereas on this one you have to bend over and pull it just from the top of the speaker itself), plus it was a little bit lighter than this.

Now I’m not saying you couldn’t bring this places or use it portably, you can and I definitely will, but if you’re going to be mobile a lot, it might be worth looking at some other options. I still think this speaker sounds better and is better than most other options for this price range and personally I’d still choose this one, but it’s definitely something to consider.

2) The other use-case issue I had was using this with the optical cord as a speaker for my tv. While this speaker sounds incredible with my tv and for movies/gaming, unlike my normal sound bar or HomePod or Sonos speakers, this speaker volume cannot be controlled at all by the TV, so anytime I wanted to turn it up or down I’d have to get up and adjust it physically on the top of the speaker, or pair my phone with the speaker and then adjust the volume. Not a huge deal, but definitely kind of an annoying little thing when you buy a speaker at this price range.

I’m not really sure how Sony could fix this either besides making some kind of remote or something for this, but it’s very possible that the optical cable/port was just an added feature and wasn’t the main focus of this product, which is what I would guess.

Either way though, no matter how annoying it might be to change the volume on this speaker sometimes while watching TV, I will continue to use it 24/7 because it sounds INCREDIBLE.

All in all, this is an absolutely incredible speaker, with an amazing amount of features and support, that is very well designed and at what I believe to be an incredibly good price for everything you’re getting. This is an absolute 10/10, absolutely recommend, I believe anyone using this speaker will enjoy it as much or even more than I did, it’s just that good.

Quinn HemesathSeptember 7, 2023

WOW.

This thing is an absolute beast. The battery life is no joke… OUTSTANDING. Fantastic product from Sony.

tehjeffmanJune 10, 2023

Better sound that expected

Compared to other Bluetooth outdoor speakers. This has a lot more range than I expected. Has a little more mid when plugged in. Android leveraging LDAC does also help with the sound. Loud and clear even over the sound of high flow rate waterfalls.

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CaroleCAugust 31, 2023

Love my speaker ❤️

I was looking for the perfect speaker for my birthday party. I went into Best Buy. Talk with the sales guy . Spent about 45 minutes listening to different speakers and asking lots of questions..I was told Sonny was the best choice for sound quality.so I decided to buy this speaker. I love my new speaker. I listen to it everyday. I listen to different types of music But on this speaker everything sound wonderful

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Matt H.June 3, 2023

Absolutely Incredible Sound

We needed a standalone speaker for the patio, one that could easily connect to our phones or computers via bluetooth and one that produced a high quality sound. This speaker does all of that and more with the light show it produces. This feature can be turned on or off easily. Unit is about 29″H x 14″D x 12″W. Incredible sound on all sides of the unit. It can be picked up by handles on the top of the unit or rolled on wheels from place to place. Its a little pricey, but well worth it for an incredible sound.

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donnaAugust 4, 2023

Bluetooth just stopped working

Bluetooth stopped working i have to use aux cord to listen, tried everything nothing is working i own two sony xp700 speakers and they are working just fine with the Bluetooth What happened? Can i get some help or advice

Annette Swift-SimmsJuly 12, 2023

Very good sound

Although I thought I purchased the 900 but received the 800 which is fine but I can’t help but wonder about the price. Ultimately the speaker is great except for the wheels are very inadequate for mobility. Yes I would rather not roll my speaker because the wheel compartment not a good fit for mobility.

odalysJanuary 12, 2024

Amazing!!!

This is my favorite brand , always is reliable and good sound quality.

AndrewMSeptember 22, 2023

Semi boom

A excellent choice for my semi perfect fit power full base quality clear mid range perfect

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