#Vibe sound usb turntable installation Bluetooth#

So, let's get into the whys and hows, shall we? It's tempting to think that what you're really paying for is the household name slapped across the rubberized top plate (which actually morphs into a handle) here, but that would be wrong. But it's not better – it's cheaper and represents excellent value at the level, but the Sony is superior sound-wise. And while we wish there was something we could say or do to soften this and make it better, what we can tell you is that if you're ready to lay down such an amount of cash, Sony's proposition is emphatically worth it.įor reference, the recently reviewed and five-star Tribit Stormbox Blast is bigger and only $199 (around £163, U$290). So, it's not the flippant 'Yeah, add it to the cart why don't you?' purchase you may have come here looking for. The Sony XG300 was released in July 2022 and it is available in black and a light gray colorway, both of which will set you back two dollars short of $350 in the US or nine pounds over over £250 if you reside in the UK.

Sony SRS-XG300 review: price and release date

Sony XG300 at BHPhoto for $348 (opens in new tab).

Not at all…Īt 3kg or just over 6lb, it's weighty – but the retractable handle is up to the job if you want to tote it around (Image credit: TechRadar) But don't misunderstand us, that's not to do the Sony XG300 down. So if that is what you want and you've got the cash, splash it with our blessing. If, however, this all sounds a bit much and you just wanted something cheap and cheerful for the children to blast out tunes on in the garden, you might want to look at the JBL Flip 6 or Tribit Stormbox Micro 2.

#Vibe sound usb turntable installation Bluetooth#

The taut, grippy, agile and exciting bass you get from this thing has to be heard to be believed, and vocals are admirably textured and placed centrally in an expansive mix.Īll in all, the Sony XG300's performance leaves us with no alternative but to conclude that it is a very, very good-sounding and extensively featured Bluetooth speaker. How does all of this translate into sound-per-pound performance? It translates very well indeed actually. To put those figures into perspective, SBC (the standard 'vanilla' Bluetooth codec) achieves a maximum data rate of just 328kbps, while Qualcomm's aptX HD can only stream at 576kbps. According to Sony, it also permits around three times the amount of data to be streamed over Bluetooth thanks to the use of more efficient coding and “optimised packetization” of the data. Why so? LDAC allows you to stream better-than-CD high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/96kHz over Bluetooth at up to 990kbps.

The top-draw name on the spec-sheet is undoubtedly LDAC support, Sony's proprietary 'hi-res' codec.