Classy Bluetooth speaker that blends in well

SINGAPORE — When it comes to portable speakers, there is an array of options these days and Sony’s SRS-X5 Bluetooth speaker seeks to stand out from among its competitors with a sound that defies its size.

The speaker sports a distinctively chic look, similar to the high-end Xperia smartphone and tablet series, and to the SRS-X7 and SRS-X9. Measuring 22.4cm x 12.3cm x 5.1cm, it is about the size of a paperback novel and weighs 1.2kg.

My review unit came in white and, from a design standpoint — the large single-colour speaker grill cover, a glossy glass panel on top and aluminium finish on the sides — it is gorgeous. Minimalist and sleek, it is a portable device that will blend in effortlessly with almost any home decor.

The SRS-X5 allows industry-standard one-touch play using Bluetooth-compatible devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets. Pairing my mobile phone with it was a breeze, connecting immediately after switching on the Bluetooth.

What impressed me was how much bass this speaker was capable of dishing out, considering its relatively small size. At average listening volumes in a room, the sound is clear and has a range that makes the device suitable for the various music genres I tried with it.

The SRS-X5 uses APTX, a coding technology said to allow the wireless transmission of full music bandwidth from a device to the speaker to bring CD-like quality audio. After going through several playlists, I felt that claim was accurate. Sony estimates eight hours of continuous music playback after a full charge.

Buttons are located on top of the unit and while there are seven in total, only two — power and speakerphone — are physical buttons while the rest are touch-sensitive.

There is an “Audio” button, which provides a fuller, wider and more natural sound. The trick lies at the back of the speaker: Together with its 38mm full-range satellite speakers and 58mm subwoofer, the SRS-X5 releases bass in the opposite direction, balancing the sound coming out from the device.

Technology website CNET observed that the SRS-X5 sounds different when using the internal battery versus the AC adapter — the latter gives you more volume and the speaker sounds fuller and can better handle bass-heavy material. I put that to the test and found that there was, indeed, a marked difference.

One of the speaker’s limitations: The small size makes it portable, but the frame and speaker grill appears somewhat delicate and I worry it would not be able to withstand knocks without getting scratches or dents.

Overall, the SRS-X5 looks and feels good and, more importantly, does brilliantly in filling up a room with crisp sound given its size, meeting the expectations that come with a price point of S$299. The speakers can be purchased at all Sony stores and authorised outlets.