Sony SRSX3 Portable NFC Bluetooth Wireless Speaker (Black) with Speakerphone

Just to be clear - this is a small portable speaker. So when I talk about bass, sound clarity and what not - keep that in mind. You can't compare it desktop speakers - No wait, you can!
 
 
Build, Design, Features:
Small cuboid, a clean design IMO. Personal aesthetic choice there.
 
 
- PROS
The materials are good and the box feels heavy and solid in your hands. Doesn't squeak or feel loosely built. Has a rubberized texture around the top and sides so you won't drop it (You probably don't want to - more on that further)
There is a line-in for those devices lacking Bluetooth. You probably won't use it for better audio quality because the speaker is too small to really matter. The ability to use it as a loudspeaker during phone calls is awesome. NFC pairing is useful and painless to use. There are little lights (just the right brightness i.e low) that tell you what's going on, if the battery is low, if its' charging and what not. The fact that you can charge it using a regular miniUSB cable is just plain awesome. I have it hooked to my computer 24x7. It automatically stops charging when the battery is full. It can be powered using the adapter while running but I'm not sure about a regular USB port (I doubt it). It might work if you have one of those high-powered USB ports on your computer (1A-1.5A)
 
- CONS
Even though the finish is good, it feels heavy in a way that it doesn't want to be dropped. It looks like its all plastic on the outside and I feel like it would be easily damaged if dropped. There is a metal grille protecting the speaker (front and back). The unit is also not weatherproof. So no rain-dance or shower time for this one. Since it's not rated for anything like that, I wouldn't even take it to high-humidity areas like your shower. There are no openings on the body except for the USB and line-in so a few drops of rain probably won't hurt it, but I wouldn't keep it too close to the pool.
The inability to connect to multiple Bluetooth devices is not a deal breaker but can be a little annoying if you have multiple audio devices lying around.
It can't charge when it turned on even if you use the provided USB adapter. Other similar devices have a USB port that you can charge your phone from. This doesn't.
 
 
 
Audio Quality
This is a small portable speaker, so don't compare it to a full sized speakers. The following audio quality notes are relative, relative to speakers in its size and class.
Music Taste: Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Radiohead, Coldplay, Eminem, Above & Beyond, Deadmau5, John Mayer.
 
- PROS
Earth Shaking BASS ! Nah I kid.
But the bass and audio quality is truly amazing for something so small and that alone is worth a $100. If its' right in front of you (under my monitor on the desk) there is a distinct stereo quality and a noticeable sound stage. The audio quality is comparable to many good 2.0 computer speakers and it probably would beat your average sub-$100 2.0 desktop speakers. Where it beats other small 2.0 speakers is the bass (Most 2.0 speakers don't have any bass). This one you can actually feel. Trebles are mostly clear and overall sound is distortion free until you max out the volume.
The speaker is even loud enough to fill a room and sounds great for your average gathering of human friends in a room.
 
- CONS
Certain parts of the audio can sound muffled. The mid-ranges are a little subdued and between the bass and the treble. Most vocals sound great on this, but when you have too many instruments playing, the snares and the bass for example can sound muffled. The audio quality deteriorates noticeably at high (70% and above) volume. The unit is directional, so if you want to fill an entire room - keep it in the corner facing forward. The rear is basically a passive bass radiator.
 
- COMPARED TO
I compared this to the Bose Soundlink Mini, UE Boom mini and I picked this over them. The Bose did sound equally good but the bass was just not as sharp but the mids were better. Mini Boom has nothing over this except may be its louder and lasts longer on battery. There are better sounding portable speakers but they are much larger, heavier and more expensive.
 
 
 
Summary
To sum it up, you are looking at a really portable speaker that sounds way better than it should in its class/size.
If you are looking to substitute your laptop speakers or have a personal portable speaker that can

1. Run off of your USB (even charge slowly from a regular USB port)
2. Make you feel and hear the bass while sounding amazing and clear for something so small
3. Provide 4-5 hour battery at reasonably levels
4. Connect to your wireless devices.
5. Act like a loud and clear conference speakerphone
6. Cost less than $150

You want this!
 
Is this a audiophile grade speaker? - NO.
Does it sound awesome enough, that if an "audiophile" ever wanted a small, portable speaker, they would pick this - YES
 
If it had even a couple of the negatives (weatherproof, longer battery life) covered, this would be 5 stars !