Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB13. It ranks #34 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $69.94; the Harman Kardon Neo ranks #43 and costs $90, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Sony SRS-XB13 gets right: Long battery life (~16 hours). The catch: Not much bass.
What the Harman Kardon Neo offers: IPX7 waterproof. Watch for: Huge lack of bass.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB13. 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 the Harman Kardon Neo. 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-XB13 is rated for 16 hours versus 10 hours for the Harman Kardon Neo.
If water resistance matters to you, the Sony SRS-XB13 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Neo at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB13 | Harman Kardon Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.94 Discontinued | $90 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #34 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #43 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 88Hz | 105Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | None |
| Max Volume | 88dB | 87dB |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 255 g | 0.6 lbs / 251 g |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Drivers | 46mm | 1.6" (41mm) full-range driver |
| Output Power | 5W | 3W |
| Dimensions | 3" x 3.7"H (76 x 95 mm) (diameter) | 4.3" x 4.3" x 1.3" (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2 vs Noxgear 39g
- Bose Soundlink Micro 2 vs Sony SRS-XB100
- Sony SRS-XB100 vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
- Bose Soundlink Micro vs Sony SRS-XB13
- Muzen Wild Mini vs Harman Kardon Neo
The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB13: $69.94 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Long battery life (~16 hours). IP67 rated. Compact with a removable strap for hanging on a bag/bike. USB-C charging.
Cons: Not much bass. Muddy sounding. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB13 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 88Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 4.5 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3" x 3.7"H (76 x 95 mm) (diameter) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 46mm |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 88dB |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 5W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 255 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Neo: $90 Discontinued
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 →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 105Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.3" x 4.3" x 1.3" (110 x 110 x 34.1 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1.6" (41mm) full-range driver |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 130Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Max Volume | 87dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 3W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs / 251 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Lenovo 700 Ultraportable Bluetooth Speaker
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Harman Kardon Esquire Mini 2
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Muzen Wild Mini
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Noxgear 39g
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Sony SRS-XB12
- Harman Kardon Neo vs JBL Clip 3
- Harman Kardon Neo vs JBL Clip
- Harman Kardon Neo vs Sony SRS-XB100
- See all 11 comparisons