This is one of the few compact speakers which are really pocket-sized, maybe only the Anker SoundCore Nano which has a smaller footprint. Show This compact size comes in very handy when you carry the speaker around, however, the question is that is it powerful enough for everyday usage? Let’s see how much do you have to compromise due to this small size. Sony SRS-X11 Review Video Sony Bluetooth range:
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Bottom line: The Sony SRS-X11 is a stylish compact speaker with good battery life and Bluetooth range. However, its sound is very flat with weak bass production. In this category, there are better options on the market. The Box, AccessoriesThe speaker comes in a transparent box with a micro USB cable and a silicone strap included. It is available in 5 different colors, you can choose from black, white, red, pink and blue. The X11 is not a budget device, for its price you can even find larger devices. Click here to check the updated price of the Sony SRS-X11 or to buy the speaker The DesignThe speaker is a small, stylish cube with rounded edges. It definitely has some weight and feels solid and premium in hand. Thanks to its compact size, it is very portable and small enough to easily put into a bag or even into a pocket. The front and the two side panels got a metal speaker grille, while the top and the back of the speaker is covered by a matt finished rubberized plastic. The design is modern and minimalist and the look of the speaker is much more interesting than the look of the most competitors. It is quite unique that the speaker got three speaker grills which foreshadow an omnidirectional sound. You can find something remarkable on each side of the speaker. The top edge houses 4 control buttons; here are the Power, the Phone and the Volume up and down buttons. Also, the NFC chip is located here, which is a nice addition and it is still uncommon in this category. With this, the NFC enabled devices can be easily paired and connected to the speaker just by touching the devices to the ‘N’ sign. On the back of the speaker, you can find the Add button, a pinhole for resetting the speaker, the audio input and the charging port. The ports are not covered and the speaker is not water protected. Which is quite a pity, nowadays, I think this is a basic requirement for an outdoor speaker. At the bottom, you can find three LEDs, the ‘Left’, ‘Right’ indicators and a Bluetooth LED. How to SetupIf you long press the power button the speaker starts in pairing mode, the Bluetooth LED is quickly blinking and the device is discoverable, you can easily find it with your phone or computer. When you turn the speaker on, it will automatically connect to the last paired device. The Sony SRS-X11 can be paired with up to 8 Bluetooth devices and the built-in NFC chip makes this much easier. Anytime you have a problem with the speaker, you can set it back to the initial state using the reset button what is situated next to the audio input port and can be pushed using a pin. Attachment OptionIn one corner of the speaker, there is a loop where you can attach the included plastic strap to it. So you can use it to hang the speaker somewhere or to attach it to your bag. It is nice that Sony included this strap, however, the solutions of the competitors like the carabiner of the JBL Clip 2 or the cord of the UE Roll 2 is more versatile and useful. However, this is still much better than nothing like for example by the JBL Go 2. The X11 got a built-in microphone in the bottom-right corner of the front panel so you can use it as a speakerphone to answer phone calls. Battery LifeAccording to the manufacturer, the built-in battery delivers up to 12 hours of playback and it takes 4 hours to fully charge it. In my test, when I played various types of songs on the speaker at 70% volume I measured 9 hours 30 minutes play time and after that, the battery felt under a certain level and the speaker started to reduce the volume level to around 50% and could play additional 1 hours 30 minutes at this limited volume. Repeating the same test, at maximum volume the speaker could play for 3 hours 50 minutes before starting to limit the volume level. Unfortunately, when the speaker set back the volume it is not possible to turn up again. Otherwise, this battery life is pretty good, it is above the average in this category. It does not have a battery level indicator, so you do not know the exact remaining battery percentage. Connectivity, Bluetooth rangeThe X11 is equipped with an audio jack input port, so it can be connected also via a cable. In my outdoor test, I have measured around 50 feet Bluetooth range which is a quite good range, likely you will not have connectivity problems with the speaker. It’s a nice extra that you can connect two SRS-X11 units together via Bluetooth for an amplified sound. You can also change if you want the speakers to operate in mono or stereo mode. Music ControlOne disadvantage of the Sony X11 that it does not have any music control capability, which means you cannot even pause/play a song with it, you can only adjust the volume level. It is a pity that Sony omitted this important feature because this easily can be a deal breaker for many people. Sony SRS-X11 Sound TestDespite its small size, the X11 can be surprisingly loud, however, after around 50-60% volume level it became quite harsh, the highs getting overpowered and not pleasant to listen to. Its sound is clear, the distortions appear only around the maximum volume level when the speaker reaches its limits. The biggest problem with the speaker that the bass is very weak and the deeper lows are completely missing. Of course you cannot have unrealistic expectations from such small device, however, it really sounds flat even comparing it to other compact speakers in this category like the JBL Go 2. And if you put it next to the Anker SoundCore Mini, which has almost exactly the same size, the difference is huge. The SoundCore Mini has a much fuller and deeper sound. ConclusionI really like the stylish design and the compact size of the X11. It is very portable, has a decent battery life and a Bluetooth range. Also, the NFC is a nice addition and it is great that you can connect two devices together. However, I think completely omitting the music control features and the water protection was a mistake. Nowadays, these are basic functionalities, which are provided by the majority of the outdoor speakers. However, my biggest problem with the X11 is the missing lows. Its sound profile is so flat, that I cannot really recommend it, there are better options on the market even in this compact size. |
