Short answer: the Klipsch Groove, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #105 of 157 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 2.8/5) at $9 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XB30 ranks #120 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 157 medium speakers, and the Earfun Uboom L, ranked #1 at $49.79, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The Klipsch Groove is the lighter choice. Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. At 1.7 lbs (770 g) it weighs noticeably less than the Sony SRS-XB30 at 2.2 lbs (1 kg). The catch: Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders.
The Sony SRS-XB30 is the longer-running pick. A compact 2.2 lbs (1 kg) portable with IPX5 splash protection, aux input, LDAC/AAC support, Sony’s app, speakerphone capability, power-bank output, stereo pairing and Party Chain linking. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 8 for the Klipsch Groove. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Klipsch Groove lacks. It links with other speakers (Partychain up to 100 speakers), which the Klipsch Groove cannot. The tradeoff: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy.
Buy the Klipsch Groove. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Sony SRS-XB30 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch Groove | Sony SRS-XB30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 9.00 | $199 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #105 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX5 |
| Power Input | Micro USB | Micro USB |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Dimensions | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| App | No | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| EQ | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch Groove compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom L vs Klipsch Groove
- Soundcore Motion 300 vs Klipsch Groove
- Soundcore Motion+ vs Klipsch Groove
- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Klipsch Groove
- Minirig 4 vs Klipsch Groove
Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch Groove: 9.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty balanced sound in a compact, splash-resistant form factor. IPX4 water resistance and ~8 hour battery life make it durable for outdoor and poolside use. 3-inch high excursion full-range driver paired with dual side-firing passive radiators.
Cons: Not stereo. Bass doesn’t go as deep as class leaders. Distortion sets in at higher output levels. Older Bluetooth 4.0 architecture without app EQ.
Full Klipsch Groove review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 10W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5” x 6” x 2.6” (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3” full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Klipsch Groove vs Sony SRS-XB20
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Sony SRS-XB30: $199 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 3, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
Pros: A compact 1kg portable with IPX5 splash protection, aux input, LDAC/AAC support, Sony’s app, speakerphone capability, power-bank output, stereo pairing and Party Chain linking. It reaches a useful 95dB maximum level and has a claimed 24-hour battery life at moderate volume, making it a convenient older outdoor option. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Independent lab listening rates music fidelity only fair: bass has impact but is boomy and lacks the deepest notes, while the midrange can sound hazy, muffled and grainy. Its micro-USB charging and older Bluetooth 4.2 platform now feel dated, so it is best considered for features and used-market value rather than sound quality. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB30 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9” x 3.2” x 3.4” (228 x 82 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 95dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs (1000 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Soundcore Flare 2
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- Sony SRS-XB30 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini+
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