Short answer: the Klipsch New York. It ranks #58 of 167 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $599.99. The Sony LSPX-S3 ranks #68, rated 3.5/5, at $474.89, $125.10 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Klipsch New York is the longer-running choice. Flagship Music City party speaker engineered for high-output events, featuring dual 8-inch high-excursion woofers and a high-efficiency horn-loaded compression tweeter producing up to 110dB maximum output with dual custom front ports for low-end punch. It is rated for 12 hours of battery against 8 for the Sony LSPX-S3. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Sony LSPX-S3 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sony LSPX-S3 lacks. Watch for: Weighs 25.4 kg (56 lbs), making vehicle loading and stair navigation demanding despite the wheels.
The Sony LSPX-S3 is the lighter option. Unique organic glass tube design vibrates to act as a 360-degree tweeter. At 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) it weighs much less than the Klipsch New York at 56 lbs (25.4 kg). The catch: No water or dust resistance rating (delicate glass construction).
Buy the Klipsch New York. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $125.10 saving on the Sony LSPX-S3 is not enough to make up the difference.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Klipsch New York 3.4 to 3.8; Sony LSPX-S3 3.1 to 3.9). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch New York | Sony LSPX-S3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.99 each | $474.89 |
| Ranked | #58 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated | #68 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| App | Yes (Klipsch Connect Plus) | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 29.5” x 14.5” x 15” (750 x 368 x 380 mm) | 3.7” x 11.4” x 3.7” (94 x 289 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded compression tweeter, 2x 8” woofers | Organic glass tube tweeter + 46mm midrange + passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 3.5mm Aux, 1/4” Mic, 1/4” Guitar | - |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB | - |
| Microphone Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes | - |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Omnidirectional | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Klipsch New York compares with other leading options:
- JBL Pulse 6 vs Klipsch New York
- JBL Cove P1 vs Klipsch New York
- Sony LSPX-S3 vs Rocksteady Stadium 2.0
- JBL Cove P1 vs Sony LSPX-S3
- JBL Pulse 6 vs JBL Cove P1
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 New York: $599.99 each Estimated Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Klipsch Vegas (smaller model, estimated 3.8/5) and the Klipsch Miami (smaller model, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: Flagship Music City party speaker engineered for high-output events, featuring dual 8-inch high-excursion woofers and a high-efficiency horn-loaded compression tweeter producing up to 110dB maximum output with dual custom front ports for low-end punch. Features heavy-duty trolley wheels, up to 12 hours of battery playback, full-panel RGB light shows with side strobes, DJ sound effects, mic and guitar inputs with independent gain, and IPX4 weatherproofing.
Cons: Weighs 25.4 kg (56 lbs), making vehicle loading and stair navigation demanding despite the wheels. Battery life drops toward 8 hours with maximum volume and full RGB light show active.
Full Klipsch New York review and specifications →
| Released | 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Klipsch Connect Plus) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 29.5” x 14.5” x 15” (750 x 368 x 380 mm) |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded compression tweeter, 2x 8” woofers |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 3.5mm Aux, 1/4” Mic, 1/4” Guitar |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Weight | 56 lbs (25.4 kg) |
| Wheels | Yes |
- 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 LSPX-S3: $474.89 Estimated Amazon eBay
Pros: Unique organic glass tube design vibrates to act as a 360-degree tweeter. Features candle flicker LED lighting mode, LDAC high-resolution Bluetooth support, and a built-in rechargeable battery providing up to 8 hours of playback. Supports Stereo Pair with a second unit and Touch Sensor brightness controls.
Cons: No water or dust resistance rating (delicate glass construction). Limited bass extension from compact 46mm transducer. Higher price point than standard portable speakers of similar acoustic output.
Full Sony LSPX-S3 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 3.7” x 11.4” x 3.7” (94 x 289 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | Organic glass tube tweeter + 46mm midrange + passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- 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