Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0

Sony SRS-X3 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£35Audio output power:20.00 WBattery life:7 hoursIP rating:IPX5Bluetooth version:2.1Weight:850 g

Sony SRS-X3 Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

5.5/10

Overall score

Score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

5.5

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 99% of portable speakers
6.8

Value for money

Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 97%
5.5

Technical score

Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

32%

5.7

Audio

20%

4.6

Battery

18%

5.6

Durability

16%

5.8

Connectivity

8%

5.3

Controls

3%

8.8

Design

3%

3.9

Smart features

â–¼Worse than 97%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £35
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of portable speaker Sony SRS-X3

Technical score
Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

32%

5.7

Audio

20%

4.6

Battery

18%

5.6

Durability

16%

5.8

Connectivity

8%

5.3

Controls

3%

8.8

Design

3%

3.9

Smart features

5.5
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Sony SRS-X3 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 59.2% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

5.5

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.8
Audio output power
20 W
This portable speaker has an audio output power of 20 W which is higher than that of 46.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 11.4% of portable speakers.
Driver unit size
33 mm
This portable speaker has a driver unit size of 33 mm which is smaller than that of 97% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Number of drivers
2
This portable speaker has 2 drivers, which is more than 24.5% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 45.5% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
60 Hz
This portable speaker has a lowest frequency of 60 Hz which is lower than that of 43.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 9.2% of portable speakers.
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
2.1
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 2.1 which is older than that of 92% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.3% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
This portable speaker has a maximum Bluetooth range of 10 m which is longer than that of 4.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 70.2% of portable speakers.
Bluetooth profiles supported
A2DP; AVRCP; HFP; HSP
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
7 hours
This portable speaker has a battery life of 7 hours which is shorter than that of 80.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 3.3% of portable speakers.
Battery capacity
2,600 mAh
This portable speaker has a battery capacity of 2,600 mAh which is larger than that of 49% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.4% of portable speakers.
Charging time
5 hours
This portable speaker has a charging time of 5 hours which is longer than that of 87% of portable speakers and equal to that of 7.7% of portable speakers.
Maximum charging input power
9 W
This portable speaker has a maximum charging input power of 9 W which is lower than that of 55.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.9% of portable speakers.
Built-in rechargeable battery
yes
This portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. 18.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
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IP rating
IPX5
This portable speaker has an IP rating of IPX5 which provides worse ingress protection than 62.3% of portable speakers and the same ingress protection as 15.3% of portable speakers.
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
no
This portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating. 32.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
On-device controls placement
?
Touchscreen
no
This portable speaker does not have a touchscreen. 0.3% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Smartphone app control
no
This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control. 54% of portable speakers offer this feature.
No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
yes
This portable speaker supports fast pairing. 77.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
850 g
This portable speaker weighs 850 g which is heavier than that of 51.3% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% of portable speakers.
Height
6.7 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 6.7 cm which is shorter than that of 82.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.6% of portable speakers.
Width
18.5 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 18.5 cm which is wider than that of 51.9% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.7% of portable speakers.
Depth
6.6 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 6.6 cm which is shallower than that of 68.5% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.2% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
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Companion app name
?
Firmware updates
no
This portable speaker does not support firmware updates. 47.2% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
?
Voice assistant support
no
This portable speaker does not support voice assistants. 26.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports direct voice-assistant control.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

Sony SRS-X3 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • Supports NFC Bluetooth pairing
    This portable speaker supports NFC Bluetooth pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support NFC Bluetooth pairing.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • 5.7 cm shorter
    This portable speaker is shorter than the average portable speaker (6.7 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    6.7 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • 2.57x cheaper
    Sony SRS-X3 is cheaper than the average portable speaker (£35 vs £90).
    £35 vs £90
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 1 more multipoint connections
    This portable speaker has more multipoint connections than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Supports NFC Bluetooth pairing
    This portable speaker supports NFC Bluetooth pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support NFC Bluetooth pairing.
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports fast pairing
    This portable speaker supports fast pairing, while the average portable speaker does not support fast pairing.
  • 5.7 cm shorter
    This portable speaker is shorter than the average portable speaker (6.7 cm vs 12.4 cm).
    6.7 cm vs 12.4 cm
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • 4,000 Hz lower maximum frequency
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum frequency than the average portable speaker (16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz).
    16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 5 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (7 hours vs 12 hours).
    7 hours vs 12 hours
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (5 hours vs 3 hours).
    5 hours vs 3 hours
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • 17 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (33 mm vs 50 mm).
    33 mm vs 50 mm
  • 2.9 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (2.1 vs 5).
    2.1 vs 5
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • 10.3% worse value for money
    Sony SRS-X3 offers worse value for money than the average portable speaker (6.84 vs 7.5).
    6.84 vs 7.55
  • 4.21x less popular
    Sony SRS-X3 is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 4,000 Hz lower maximum frequency
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum frequency than the average portable speaker (16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz).
    16,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 17 mm smaller main driver
    This portable speaker has a smaller main driver than the average portable speaker (33 mm vs 50 mm).
    33 mm vs 50 mm
  • 400 Hz lower microphone frequency limit
    This portable speaker has a lower microphone frequency limit than the average portable speaker (7,000 Hz vs 7,400 Hz).
    7,000 Hz vs 7,400 Hz
  • 2.9 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (2.1 vs 5).
    2.1 vs 5
  • 5 hours shorter battery life
    This portable speaker has a shorter battery life than the average portable speaker (7 hours vs 12 hours).
    7 hours vs 12 hours
  • 2 hours longer charging time
    This portable speaker has a longer charging time than the average portable speaker (5 hours vs 3 hours).
    5 hours vs 3 hours
  • 1 W lower charging input power
    This portable speaker has lower charging input power than the average portable speaker (9 W vs 10 W).
    9 W vs 10 W
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • 5 °C higher minimum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a higher minimum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (5 °C vs 0 °C).
    5 °C vs 0 °C
  • 5 °C lower maximum operating temperature
    This portable speaker has a lower maximum operating temperature than the average portable speaker (35 °C vs 40 °C).
    35 °C vs 40 °C
  • Does not support smartphone app control
    This portable speaker does not support smartphone app control, while the average portable speaker supports smartphone app control.
    No compatible mobile app for speaker control.
  • Does not support stereo pairing
    This portable speaker does not support stereo pairing, while the average portable speaker supports stereo pairing.
  • Does not support True Wireless Stereo
    This portable speaker does not support True Wireless Stereo, while the average portable speaker supports True Wireless Stereo.
  • 5 older
    This portable speaker was released earlier than the average portable speaker (2014 vs 2019).
    2014 vs 2019

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

W
whathifi.com
11/06/2014
Summary of the review
S
stuff.tv
07/07/2014
Summary of the review
U
uk.pcmag.com
11/07/2014
Summary of the review
C
cnet.com
01/08/2014
Summary of the review
S
soundguys.com
09/08/2014
Summary of the review
P
pcmag.com
11/07/2014
Summary of the review
M
musicphotolife.com
27/01/2015
Summary of the review
D
draadbreuk.nl
22/07/2014
Summary of the review
T
tweakers.net
23/09/2014
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony SRS-X3

  • Impressive bass response and full sound output for its compact size
  • Clean treble detail and clear mid-range performance
  • Sleek, minimalist, and elegant design with a smooth-to-the-touch finish
  • Quick and easy wireless connection via Bluetooth and NFC tap-to-pair
  • Includes convenient extra features like a built-in speakerphone microphone and a 3.5mm Aux input
  • Charges via a standard micro-USB port instead of a proprietary adapter

What customers don't like about Sony SRS-X3

  • Audio can experience slight distortion when pushed to maximum or high volumes
  • Average battery life of around 7 hours, which trails some longer-lasting competitors
  • Noticeably heavy for a portable speaker, weighing around 1.75 lbs (850g)
  • Lacks an integrated track control button to skip songs directly from the speaker
  • No low-battery warning alert or battery level indicator
  • Does not include a carrying case or protective pouch in the box

Verdict

The Sony SRS-X3 is a compact 2-channel portable Bluetooth 2.1 speaker weighing 850 grams and measuring 18.5 x 6.7 x 6.6 cm. It features two 34mm full-range drivers delivering an output power of 20W (10W+10W), augmented by dual passive bass radiators and Sony's ClearAudio+ and Virtual Surround Sound technologies. Main advantages include convenient one-touch NFC pairing, an integrated microphone for speakerphone functionality, a 3.5mm auxiliary input for wired devices, and a robust, deep bass response relative to its footprint. However, its internal rechargeable battery provides a modest 7-hour playback lifecycle, it lacks on-device track navigation controls, and it is prone to slight audio distortion when played at maximum volumes.

Compare Sony SRS-X3 with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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