Sony LSPX-S3 Review | 130 Data compared

The Sony Glass Sound Speaker (LSPX-S3) is described as an aesthetically striking, minimalist device that functions as both a Bluetooth speaker and an ambient LED candle lamp. While offering clear audio with surprisingly good bass, a high-quality mic, and a unique design, it falls short of its $350 price point due to a mono-only driver, poor control placement, and a harsh, unshaded light at top brightness.

The Music Photo Life review highlights the Sony LSPX-S3 as an elegant, ornamental glass sound speaker tailored for atmospheric, low-volume listening, featuring a 46mm woofer for improved bass and a significantly lower S$499 price point compared to predecessors. While praised for its aesthetic, the review notes cons including a precarious one-handed grip, the removal of NFC and analog input, and the exclusion of premium audio modes like S-Master HX and DSEE HX.

The Sony LSPX-S3 delivers an underwhelming 89-point performance, with its omnidirectional design providing consistent timbre, and a bass boost enhancing low-end frequencies. However, the speaker suffers from severely flawed tonal balance featuring weak treble, unclear midrange, poor sound depth, and insufficient dynamics, alongside noticeable artifacts like compression and distortion.

The Sony LSPX-S3 Glass Surround Speaker is described as an inexpensive "audio triumph" providing a seductively clear musical presentation that makes the hardware feel absent during playback. While praising its intimacy and compatibility, the review notes the speaker offers a "miniaturized" sound with a leaner acoustic footprint compared to traditional, high-power stereo setups.

The Sony Glass Sound Speaker LSPX-S3 is an aesthetically unique, $349.99 device featuring a 6.5-inch organic glass tube that delivers exceptionally clear, distortion-free mids and highs, complemented by an adjustable candle-like LED light. While supporting LDAC for high-quality Bluetooth audio, the speaker suffers from underwhelming mono sound that lacks deep bass, coupled with a lack of on-device playback controls and a simplistic app, making it a flawed, design-focused product.

The PCMag UK review of the Sony Glass Sound Speaker (LSPX-S3) highlights a unique, hybrid device combining a portable Bluetooth speaker with an ambient lamp. Pros include its striking, minimalist design featuring an organic glass tube tweeter, decent bass, and solid microphone performance. Cons are that its mono sound quality does not justify the high £315/$350 price tag, and the built-in light can feel harsh at higher brightness settings.

The Consumer Reports review of the Sony Glass Sound (LSPX-S3) describes a wireless speaker with an aesthetic, lamp-like design suitable for ambient audio but characterized by subpar, compressed sound quality that is inappropriate for serious music listening. While it can accurately produce room ambiance and offers stereo pairing capabilities, the device suffers from subdued bass, thin and nasal midrange, and overly prominent, dry treble, making it better suited for spoken dialogue than music.