Short answer: the JBL Flip 4. It ranks #63 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $70; the Sony XB23 ranks #64 and costs $100, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Flip 4 gets right: Less bass than a Flip 5. The catch: Battery failures are common.
What the Sony XB23 offers: Reasonably neutral. Watch for: Bass drops off a ton at high levels.
Buy the JBL Flip 4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony XB23 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Flip 4 at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Sony XB23 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 4 | Sony XB23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70 Discontinued | $100 |
| Ranked | #63 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #64 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | 67Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | - |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g | 1.3 lbs / 580 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 2x 42x51mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (76 x 218 x 76 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 8W RMS |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX4 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Max Volume | 92dB | 95dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
| EQ | - | Yes (3-band: bass, mid, treble) |
| App | - | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Flip 5 vs JBL Charge 3
- JBL Flip 5 vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Creative iRoar Go vs JBL Flip 5
- Beats Pill 2024 vs JBL Flip 4
- Sony XB23 vs JBL Charge Essential
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Less bass than a Flip 5. Peaky lower treble.
Cons: Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3?
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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
Full Sony XB23 review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 8.6" x 3" (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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 8W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 580 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs JBL Flip 5 v Tribit Maxsound Plus
- Alan Ross Reviews: Huawei Sound Joy vs Sony xb23 - worse or worser? š¤
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB23 vs XB33 - specs and measurements
- GYMCADDY: Sony XE200 Review And Compared to Sony XB23 - It Got The XE300 Treatment
- Reddit Search for Sony XB23 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons