By Scott Tharler
Writer, Reviews
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When writing about small speakers, cliché dictates mentioning that they sound bigger than they look. So when spotlighting a big speaker, it seems only fair to treat it similarly. Which isn't to say that the converse is true—you'll be surprised by how quiet this imposing behemoth can be—but instead that, likewise, you shouldn't judge it based solely on its size. More specifically, Sony's SRS-XP500 party speaker isn't just loud and colorful but thoughtful and talented, as well.
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Power to Spare
With a roughly a 1-square-foot base, a 2-foot height and a 25-pound weight, this formidable audio blaster is pushing the boundaries of what could be considered a "portable" speaker. But what seals the deal—aside from its handy and quite necessary handle—is its beefy battery. With only 10 minutes of charging, it can crank out tunes for 80 minutes. Fully juiced, it offers up to 20 hours of playtime, impressive for a speaker this size. And even after partying all night, it has enough extra energy for you to power up your phone and tablet by plugging them into its back.
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Multiple Talents
In addition to those two USB charging ports—which can also be used to play music right from a flash drive—this hefty Bluetooth speaker also features a 3.5 mm stereo audio jack, plus 2 quarter-inch jacks you can use to plug in a microphone and/or a guitar. So whether you're planning to chill while streaming tunes, sing your heart out to karaoke or shred some mean riffs on your axe, this bad boy has you covered. And if the party gets a little out of control, don't worry—it's IPX4 splash resistant.
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Supersizing the Party
Once it gets rocking, you might be looking for someone with one hand on a turntable and the other clasping a headphone earcup. But instead of that traditional DJ pose, all the controls for this party-in-a-box are in the Fiestable app. It lets you control the tracks, lighting and other effects. And if for some ungodly reason you should want to expand the audio visual festivities, Party Connect lets you add and sync up to 100 compatible speakers (including other X Series speakers, such as Sony's SRS-XG500 boombox).
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Should You Buy the Sony SRS-XP500 Party Speaker?
You can certainly find highly capable speakers that are smaller and less expensive. But none of them can hold a candle to what this hearty partier can do. Plus, given its battery life and ability to be networked, it really represents a solid value. Just remember to lift with your legs.
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