Short answer: the Sony XB33 for better sound quality, the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove for the lower price. The Sony XB33 ranks #59 of 136 medium speakers at $110. The Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove ranks #90 at $89, $21 cheaper.
What the Sony XB33 offers: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). App-controlled color LED lighting, Party Connect links up to 100 speakers. ~19 hour real-world battery without lights. Watch for: Not very loud. Upper bass peaks, midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, not very neutral. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
What the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove offers: Pretty balanced sound. Distinctive mid-century design with real wood veneer and a woven grille, unlike most plastic/rubber portables. ~8 hour battery life. Watch for: Not stereo. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others its size. Gets distorted at higher levels. Wouldn’t generally recommend these old speakers as they can’t compete with modern speakers for bass performance and features.
Buy the Sony XB33 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove if the price matters more than sound quality.
Battery life favors the Sony XB33: rated for 24 hours against 8 hours for the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the Sony XB33 at IP67 (brief submersion) against the Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove, which has IPX4 (Groove), none (Heritage Groove) (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony XB33 | Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $110 | $89.00 |
| Ranked | #59 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 110ms | - |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 (Groove), none (Heritage Groove) |
| Max Volume | 97dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Dimensions | 9.7" x 3.8" x 4.2" (246 x 97 x 106 mm) | 5" x 6" x 2.6" (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 10W RMS |
| Drivers | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators | 1x 3" full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Input | - | Micro USB |
| TWS | - | No |
| Built in Microphone | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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
Sony XB33: $110 eBay
Pros: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). App-controlled color LED lighting, Party Connect links up to 100 speakers. ~19 hour real-world battery without lights.
Cons: Not very loud. Upper bass peaks, midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, not very neutral. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony XB33 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 110ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7" x 3.8" x 4.2" (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 97dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Reddit Search for Sony XB33 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove: $89.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Pretty balanced sound. Distinctive mid-century design with real wood veneer and a woven grille, unlike most plastic/rubber portables. ~8 hour battery life.
Cons: Not stereo. Bass doesn’t go as deep as others its size. Gets distorted at higher levels. Wouldn’t generally recommend these old speakers as they can’t compete with modern speakers for bass performance and features.
Full Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5" x 6" x 2.6" (127 x 152 x 67 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 3" full-range driver + 2x side-firing passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 (Groove), none (Heritage Groove) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 10W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 770 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove vs Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove vs Ultimate Ears Boom 4
- Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove vs Sony SRS-XE300
- Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom
- Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove vs Tribit Stormbox
- Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2
- Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove vs Sony SRS-XB20
- Klipsch Groove/Heritage Groove vs Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3
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