Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB12, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #41 of 49 small speakers by sound quality, rated 2.5/5, at $79; the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 ranks #44, rated 2.4/5, and costs $100, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 49 small speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 instead, ranked #1 at $49.99.
Why pick the Sony SRS-XB12: Sony SRS-XB12 uses 46mm. Watch for: Bass is limited by its 97Hz specification.
What the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 does well: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. The catch: Huge lack of bass.
One note: the Sony SRS-XB12 is no longer in production and isn’t widely stocked new anymore.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB12. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Battery life favors the Sony SRS-XB12: rated for 16 hours against 10 hours for the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Sony SRS-XB12 at IP67 (brief submersion) against the Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2, which has no water resistance.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB12 | Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79 Discontinued | $100 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #41 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #44 of 49 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 97Hz | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Bluetooth Latency | 240ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (243 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Drivers | 46mm | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75”) full-range drivers |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Amplifier Power | 7W | 8W |
| Dimensions | 2.9” x 3.6”H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter) | 5.5” x 3” x 1” (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sony SRS-XB12:
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Soundcore Boom Go 3i vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Tribit Stormbox Micro vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Soundcore Mini 3 Pro vs Sony SRS-XB12
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB12: $79 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony SRS-XB100, ranked higher, rated 2.9/5.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB12 uses 46mm. Its 243 g, claimed 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection, up to 93dB and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A detachable strap hangs it from a bag or belt. Measured bass extension of 97Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its 97Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Muddy, with little bass and peaky treble. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB12 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 7W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 97Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (243 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB13 vs XB12 - review and full sound test - best small speaker? 🙄 More from alanrossreviews →
- DLX Willington: Jbl Go 3 vs Sony XB12 Sound Battle With Sound Sample More from DLXWillington →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony XB12 vs Soundcore Mini 3 - size matters! bluetooth speakers test!
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs JBL Clip 3
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs JBL Clip
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Sony SRS-XB12 vs Xiaomi Sound Pocket
- See all 28 comparisons
Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2: $100 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a hands-free speakerphone and USB power bank. Metal grille with a faux-leather back and a small kickstand. 8-10 hour battery life. Measured bass extension of ~120Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Huge lack of bass. Sounds very thin and tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 8W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~120Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.5” x 3” x 1” (140 x 75.2 x 26.1 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 44.5mm (~1.75”) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Harman Kardon Neo
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Sound Pocket
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Noxgear 39g
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Portable Mini
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip 3
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs JBL Clip
- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Sony SRS-XB13
- See all 29 comparisons