Short answer: the Tribit Xsound Surf. It ranks #79 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $26; the Sony SRS-XB20 ranks #94 and costs $129, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Sony SRS-XB20 offers: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. Set against that: Sounds thin at higher volumes.
The case for the Tribit Xsound Surf: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. The catch: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Surf. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sony SRS-XB20 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB20 | Tribit Xsound Surf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129 | $26 |
| Ranked | #94 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g | 1 lbs / 440 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| App | Yes (SongPal) | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Power Input | Micro USB | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Output Power | 20W | 12W RMS |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sony SRS-XB20: $129
Pros: IPX5 rated pill shape slides easily into a bag. 12 hour battery life.
Cons: Sounds thin at higher volumes. Bass falls away quickly.
Full Sony SRS-XB20 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (SongPal) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.7" x 2.7" (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Yamaha True X Speaker 1A
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Tribit Stormbox
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Sony SRS-XB20 vs Bose SoundLink Color II
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Tribit Xsound Surf: $26
Pros: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. About 20% louder than the XSound Go at the same volume. IPX7 rated, USB-C charging, and pairs with a second Surf for stereo.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks
Full Tribit Xsound Surf review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Drivers | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W RMS |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1 lbs / 440 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit XSound Surf vs. XSound Go (Upgraded Model) Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Aphid Tech: Tribit XSound Surf vs Soundcore 2 - With Sound Comparison!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot S61 🦨 Bluetooth Speaker Review & Sound Comparison to Tribit XSound Surf. Another Zealot dud❓
- Reddit Search for Tribit Xsound Surf Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Stormbox 2
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- Tribit Xsound Surf vs LG Xboom Grab
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