Sony announced a whole bunch of new portable bluetooth speakers at CES 2019.
There’s the tiny new Sony XB12, the JBL Flip 5’s future competitor the Sony XB22,
the JBL Charge 4 future competitor Sony XB32, and the Sony XB72.
But oddly enough… no Sony XB42 has been announced a this time.
Now it does look like this is going to be strictly a design refresh cycle for Sony’s
new speakers.
The Sony XB22 and Sony XB32 keep the same speaker sets ups and advertised battery lives
as the previous XB31, and XB21.
But the biggest offense here is that Sony’s new speakers are still going to charge via
a micro USB port in 2019.
I just feel its very wired that Sony’s new speakers don’t charge via USB C cause the
Sony XB501G does have a USB C port and so do
the 1000XM3’s.
And personally I think the XB22 and XB32 are a step backwards design wise compared to the
XB31 and XB21.
I don’t mind how the new speakers look, I actually think they look good.
But Sony’s new speakers are going to be reverting back to a metal grill and soft touch
body construction.
And even though they still look good and are going to be keeping their IP67 water and dust
resistance certification…
I prefer the XB31’s fabric body cause it does a much better job of standing up to bumps
and scrapes.
And Sony’s XB31 line up of speakers is one the ruggedest best looking speakers out there.
So I’m just worried if you plan on taking Sony’s new speakers on the go with you on
a regular basis… then expect them to be scratch magnets.
But now lets switch focus over the Sony XB72… unfortunately this is not a Sony XB60 or Sony
XB90 replacement.
The Sony XB72 does not have a built in battery.
But I did want to shout out Sony’s new HT-X8500 TV sound bar.
One of the first Dolby Atmos soundbars with dual built-in subwoofers, the X8500 delivers
a three-dimensional 7.1.2ch surround sound listening experience that could rival Sennheiser’s
new Ambeo sound bar we spoke about a few days ago.
But unfortunately Sony has yet announce any new headphones, which is a shame given how
good the 1000XM3’s are.
I was personally expecting to see Sony announce a new pair Xtra Bass headphones and a new
pair of H.ear on 3 headphones.
I just feel the Sony XB950N1 and Sony H.ear On 2 could benefit from a redesign to make
them more low profile and better looking.
Just like how we went from the Bulky 1000XM2 to the more streamlined 1000XM3.
But over all I’m little disappointed to see that Sony’s new portable speakers don't
feature a USB-C charging port and I doesn’t look like Sony has taken any steps to improve
their wireless party chain feature.
I’ve been pretty critical of Sony’s Wireless Party Chain feature in the past cause it not
as easy to pair multiple speakers or as stable as JBL’s JBL Connect plus or even ultimate
ears’s pairing method.
Ultimately choosing between the XB31 and XB32 could all boil down to cosmetics.
But we’re going to have to reserve final judgment until we get Sony’s new speakers
in house, cause who knows maybe they sound better now.
Now switching over to Bose…
Unfortunately Bose hasn’t announced a New pair of Quiet Comfort Headphones… they did
how ever announce their new Bose Quiet Comfort Road Noise Control system.
You’re basically going to be getting Active Noise cancellation the in cabin of your next
car.
Due out in 2021, Bose is going to be working with car manufactures to implement this new
technology in future models.
And I do see the benefit to this technology, you’re going to be able to reduce road noise
in future cars without having to use heavy sound dampening materials which currently
weigh cars down thus improving fuel economy in gas cars and maybe increasing range in
EV’s.
Although this is cool and all, Bose… where the headphones at?!