Sony SRS-XB33 - after midnight listening session #1

Hi Oluv, I really like the Marshall Stockwell 2 (noticed you awarded it in 2019) totally fell in love with this one. Yet is there anything smaller and maybe more waterproof that matches it anno 2021? Else I’m definitely gonna save my money for this one it’s just awesome.

I only play at max 4 kinds of diferent genres, thus it also depends on how the recording was mastered, but basically it does really well on edm, lo fi, rock, metal, and accoustic stuff. It does worse on punk maybe most recording will sound like they are in garage, mids there get a bit difused, omnidirectional recordins it also struggles a bit, at max volume most music sound a bit processed specially trap. Still i already think its an impressive speaker considering it only has 20w

Hi Jose, thanks for your input! Which genres would you find the best and most difficult?

It really depends what you want. The Sony is a “traditional” speaker. Sit in front to get the best sound, but then it sounds better than the Marshall, not as artificial. But the Stockwell II placed somewhere in the center of a room it gives gives you a nice all around room filling sound. But it doesn’t sound good with all genres.

Oluv'Sone

Hi Oluv! Thanks for your effort, I think your reviews are really honest and reliable, so I really would like to have your opinion on this: I am currently torn between XB33 and Stockwell II (that's why I specifically dug out your video here, so grateful to finally see a direct comparison of these two!). I used to be kind of a fan of Sony since I really love the intense bass sound, however, I don't like this party aspect they're trying to bring up with this model (I find Marshall to be way more nice-looking). So I thought it could be nice to try something different. I got my eyes on Stockwell II after I saw your review on youtube, and I was at first actually considering getting the Emberton, but after watching your reviews for both I am leaning toward Stockwell. However, I am feeling a little bit uncertain since I have never tried anything from Marshall yet. and this would be a quite pricey speaker. I compared the current discounts of both and if I buy one by Saturday, Stockwell II costs "only" 12€ more than XB33. In this case, would you recommend getting the Stockwell? I remember it won your award of 2019 speakers. Anyway, I hope this is not too long a message/ question. Thanks very much in advance and keep up the great work! Cheers.

People really do criticize this speaker because they don't ever know or get use of the kind of experience it offers, even against the original stockwell it didn't sucessed as much both on marketing and popularity(as it can now be found new for cheaper even than original) witch is very sad.. But for the ones who know of its quality its an enjoyable experience, i personally like it very much.

Nice try beating Stockwell II :) The essence of it's magic is that it uses techniques that achieve maximum effect on your ears as sound experience and psychoacoustics by interacting with the environment you are in. Yes, this reverb effect could be untrue and weird in some records but in the end it is more spectacular, more spatious and airy, more clear and engulfing. Which in general is mission impossible for a mobile speaker with 2 drivers placed 10-20 cm apart. Especially when you listen from 2-3 meters. There are many speakers that are more "precised" or "defined" than Stockwell II but you need to listen exactly on-axis and their soundstage and overall experience would be really boring and boxy compared to Marshall.

The XB33 sounds quite a bit more serious. It's maybe less "honest" but simply is way more fun to listen to than the Maxsound Plus. The MaxSound Plus can sound a bit too anaylitcal sometimes,

Oluv'Sone

Was able to enjoy this during my lunch break at a park. Very nice selection of music. While I have generally been unimpressed with the Sony XB line of products, I agree that the XB-33 has a pleasant response when EQ’d properly.

interesting series, and first against marshall, did not expect that indeed, but well even if the marshall did sound difused sometimes or the sony muffled off axes they really have this charm. So a question i might reacommend this to my sister (she asked me for someting cheap and nice sounding) but in between like the sony xb33 or tribit maxsound plus which one do you think that is better for a kind honest/casual listening?? i might go for sony but i would like to hear your opinion.

The XB33 seems to be quite good for low to moderate volumes, but what i dont like is have to eq for every volume level or song, for example the anker with your settings or similar sounded quite good with wathever i throw at It. Waiting for the other comparisons, another contender for this level of volume would be the audio pro t3(c3 or the new t3+). I own the first and sounds really natural and balanced. Pd: Nice ambient, so relaxing, wish i Will have a home like that one day. Thanks for the video