Short answer: the XB23, and it’s much cheaper. It ranks #64 of 135 medium speakers at $100; the Sound Joy ranks #36 at $180, $80 more, though it does rank higher.
Wait, the ranking favors the pricier Huawei here. The Sound Joy ranks #36 against the XB23’s #64, even though our notes call the Sound Joy very expensive with boosted treble and bass that doesn’t reach as deep as a JBL Charge 5. It needs Devialet mode and a +6dB EQ tweak to sound its best.
The XB23 is described as reasonably neutral, with IP67 rating and a strap hook for backpacks, though bass drops off a ton at high volume and it reduces its own volume over time at max.
Buy the Sound Joy for the higher ranking if you’re willing to pay for it and apply the recommended EQ. Buy the XB23 for a much cheaper, reasonably neutral alternative.
Specifications Side By Side
| Huawei Sound Joy | Sony XB23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $180 | $100 |
| Ranked | #36 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #64 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 100dB | 95dB |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.3 lbs / 580 g |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (3 microphones) | Yes |
| Dimensions | 202 x 73 mm (height x width) | 3.0" x 8.58" x 3.0" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| EQ | Yes (with G-sensor orientation switching) | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | 5V/2A, 9V/2A, 10V/4A | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Output Power | 30W total (20W + 10W) | 8W RMS |
| Drivers | 1x 50x75mm racetrack woofer (20W) + 1x 19mm silk dome tweeter + 2x passive radiators | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) |
The Two Speakers In Full
Huawei Sound Joy: $180 Aliexpress
Pros: Use Devialet and +6db EQ for best sound quality
Cons: Boosted treble, not quite as deep of bass as a Charge 5. Very expensive
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 26 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (3 microphones) |
| Dimensions | 202 x 73 mm (height x width) |
| Drivers | 1x 50x75mm racetrack woofer (20W) + 1x 19mm silk dome tweeter + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (with G-sensor orientation switching) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Output Power | 30W total (20W + 10W) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | 5V/2A, 9V/2A, 10V/4A |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Links
Sony XB23: $100
Pros: Reasonably neutral. IP67 rated with a strap hook for backpacks. USB-C charging; up to 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Bass drops off a ton at high levels. Reduces its own volume over time when turned to max
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.0" x 8.58" x 3.0" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 95dB |
| Output Power | 8W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.