Sony SRS-XB12 vs Harman Kardon Neo

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB12. It ranks #39 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $79; the Harman Kardon Neo ranks #43 and costs $90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.

On the Sony SRS-XB12 side: Aux in. Set against that: Muddy, not much bass, peaky treble.

The case for the Harman Kardon Neo: IPX7 waterproof. The tradeoff: Huge lack of bass.

Buy the Sony SRS-XB12. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Harman Kardon Neo and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.

If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 47 small speakers instead.

If battery life is a priority, the Sony SRS-XB12 is rated for 16 hours versus 10 hours for the Harman Kardon Neo.

If water resistance matters to you, the Sony SRS-XB12 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Neo at no water resistance.

Sony SRS-XB12 vs Harman Kardon Neo

Specifications Side By Side

Sony SRS-XB12 Harman Kardon Neo
Price$79 Discontinued$90 Discontinued
Ranked#39 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#43 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppNoNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)97Hz105Hz
Battery Life16 hours (Manufacturer specified)10 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQNoNo
IP RatingIP67None
Bluetooth Latency240ms-
Max Volume93dB87dB
Party ModeNoNo
Power BankNoNo
StereoNoNo
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSNoNo
Weight0.5 lbs / 243 g0.6 lbs / 251 g
Aux InputNoNo
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBCSBC
Built in MicrophoneYesYes
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Bluetooth Version4.24.2
Drivers46mm1.6" (41mm) full-range driver
Charging Time4.5 hours3 hours
Output Power7W3W
Dimensions2.9" x 3.6"H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter)4.3" x 4.3" x 1.3" (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm)
DiscontinuedYesYes
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Frequency Response-130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

The Two Speakers In Full

Sony SRS-XB12: $79 Discontinued

Sony SRS-XB12 ranking card

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 →

AppNo
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)97Hz
Battery Life16 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsAAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency240ms
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built in MicrophoneYes
Charging Time4.5 hours
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions2.9" x 3.6"H (74 x 92 mm) (diameter)
DiscontinuedYes
Drivers46mm
EQNo
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume93dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power7W
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSNo
Weight0.5 lbs / 243 g
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Harman Kardon Neo: $90 Discontinued

Harman Kardon Neo ranking card

Pros: IPX7 waterproof. Elegant matte-metal design with an attachment loop. Echo-cancelling mic for calls; goes louder than its size suggests.

Cons: Huge lack of bass. Discontinued.

Full Harman Kardon Neo review and specifications →

AppNo
Aux InputNo
Bass Extension (-10dB)105Hz
Battery Life10 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built in MicrophoneYes
Charging Time3 hours
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions4.3" x 4.3" x 1.3" (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm)
DiscontinuedYes
Drivers1.6" (41mm) full-range driver
EQNo
Frequency Response130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingNone
Max Volume87dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power3W
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoNo
TWSNo
Weight0.6 lbs / 251 g
Search eBay for Harman Kardon Neo →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.