Short answer: the JBL Go 4. It ranks #25 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $39.95; the Sony SRS-XB12 ranks #39 and costs $79, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Go 4 offers: A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak. Watch for: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume.
On the Sony SRS-XB12 side: Aux in. Set against that: Muddy, not much bass, peaky treble.
Buy the JBL Go 4. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XB12 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Sony SRS-XB12. It ranks near the bottom of the 47 small speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XB12 is rated for 16 hours versus 7 hours for the JBL Go 4.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Go 4 | Sony SRS-XB12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.95 | $79 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #25 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #39 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 190 g | 0.5 lbs / 243 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 3.7" x 3" x 1.7" (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) | 2.9" x 3.6"H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Drivers | 45mm | 46mm |
| Output Power | 4.2W | 7W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 240ms |
| Max Volume | - | 93dB |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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- Klipsch Austin vs JBL Go 3
- Monster Atomic Atom vs Muzen Wild Mini
- JBL Clip 5 vs JBL Go 5
- JBL Go 3 vs Sony SRS-XB12
- JBL Go 4 vs Klipsch Austin
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Go 4: $39.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: A little more bass than the Go 3 and they fixed the strange mids peak.
Cons: Not much bass at all, especially with electronic/bass-heavy tracks pushed past ~50% volume. Midrange can sound grainy and treble a bit sizzly; loses clarity at higher volumes.
Full JBL Go 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~82Hz |
| Battery Life | 7 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.7" x 3" x 1.7" (94.3 x 75.7 x 42.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 90Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 4.2W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs / 190 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Stereo Specs: JBL GO 4 vs JBL GO 3 : Is there more bass or not?Unboxing,Features,Specs,Sound Test & Comparison !
- StereoSpecs: JBL GO 4 vs JBL GO 3 : Worth the upgrade?
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Go 4 - first impressions (how to waste your money)
- Storytripper HD: JBL GO 4 vs TRIBIT MICRO 2 vs KLIPSCH AUSTIN vs SONY SRS-XB100
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Select 4 Go Vs JBL Clip 5 And JBL Go 4
- Reddit Search for JBL Go 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XB12: $79 Discontinued
Pros: Aux in. 16 hour battery life. IP67 rated, palm-sized with a detachable strap for hanging on a bag or belt.
Cons: Muddy, not much bass, peaky treble. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB12 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 240ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.9" x 3.6"H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 7W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs / 243 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Sony SRS-XB12 vs JBL Clip
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Sony SRS-XB13
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