TikTok's popular speaker Sony SRS-XB31 vs. JBL Pulse3, which one is the real Rock&Roll!

In the past, people basically listened to music with speakers and headphones, which were inseparable from the cables connecting the devices to transmit the audio data from the front end to the sound unit. The reason for this situation is nothing more than the backwardness of the wireless Bluetooth protocol. The limitation of transmission rate has seriously affected the development of wireless devices.

However, with the popularity of the Hi-Res standard led by Sony and the iteration of Bluetooth technology, this situation is being broken.

The perfect combination of sound quality and portability, Bluetooth speakers also have "performance small steel cannons"

Hi-Res is the abbreviation of High Resolution Audio, and High Resolution means high resolution. Sony has recently proposed the latest high-quality music standard, with a sampling rate higher than 44.1KHz and a bit depth greater than 16bit, and can even reach 192kHz / 24bit or higher.

For example, the sound quality of FM radio is 22.05kHz, while the sound quality limit of CD is 44.1KHz. You can imagine what Sony's 192kHz means. It can be said that the audio bit rate transmitted wirelessly is approaching the performance of cables. For this reason, Bluetooth headsets, speakers and other devices from brands such as Beats, Bose, JBL, and Sony have become popular. In addition to providing a more convenient and quicker user experience, the sound quality is enough to meet the needs of most users.

Bluetooth speakers, in particular, have become the most popular new category of audio equipment in the market due to their excellent portability and more diverse usage scenarios. From grandpas taking a walk, aunties dancing in the square, to cycling enthusiasts, to fashionable young people who like to party, everyone can find a corresponding Bluetooth speaker.

However, Bluetooth speakers have to make compromises in various aspects, such as sound quality, battery life, bass, appearance, portability, etc. After all, there is not enough space to hold the subwoofer, amplifier, power supply, etc. Generally speaking, the sound experience of Bluetooth speakers of the same price is generally lower than that of ordinary speakers.

There are cheap Bluetooth speakers on the market, but most of them perform poorly. For those users who have high requirements for sound, Bluetooth speakers priced above 1,000 yuan are considered "golden ear" products.

Today, we will bring you a comparative evaluation of two widely acclaimed Bluetooth speakers on the market, namely JBL Pulse3, and Sony SRS-XB31, which has recently been making its presence felt on TikTok. The prices of the two Bluetooth speakers are 1888 and 1299 respectively. Although the price difference is quite large, the positioning of the two speakers for parties is very similar. Let's take a look at which one is more suitable for purchase.

Sony and JBL are party-goers that combine performance and fashion

The two speakers have very different appearance styles. The JBL Pulse3 is an American futuristic and simple style with bright lines. The eyes are attracted by the large light on the top. However, the speaker body is easy to scratch, which is a small problem. The Sony SRS-XB31 continues the design language of its series, with bright braided wires and unique lines. The appearance is low-key but not without design sense, and it feels more comfortable to hold.

The difference is that Sony SRS-XB31 deliberately hides the light element, so you can't even notice its existence when it is not turned on. As party artifacts, the lighting effects of both speakers cannot be underestimated. Sony SRS-XB31 supports Party Chain, and JBL Pulse3 supports Connect+. Both can connect 100 devices through Bluetooth, keep the lights and rhythm consistent, and perform a light show.

Both devices are waterproof, with a waterproof rating of 7. You can enjoy music while swimming and feel the water droplets dancing on the speakers to the rhythm. The difference is that Sony SRS-XB31 supports IP67, which is waterproof and dustproof, and has a wider range of usage scenarios.

In terms of appearance, the design concepts of the two are quite different, and everyone has their own preferences, but overall, Sony wins slightly.

Rich in functions and easy to operate, Bluetooth speakers will no longer be “dumb and clumsy”

Besides the lighting, the JBL Pulse3 has a battery life of 12 hours, which is above average in the industry. However, the Sony SRS-XB31 has a battery life of up to 24 hours under normal use, which is quite amazing. However, 12 hours is enough in general, and the Sony SRS-XB31 can charge the phone through the USB port in addition to the ultra-long battery life, which is a plus.

In terms of connection methods, Sony SRS-XB31 provides NFC communication in addition to Bluetooth and AUX, which is still very convenient to connect with Sony's own mobile phones. The pause/play button of JBL Pulse3 also supports Siri of iPhone. In many scenarios, you can operate on Pulse3 without frequently looking for your phone. Judging from the number of mobile phone users, the functional usage scenarios of JBL Pulse3 are more extensive.

JBL Pulse3 also supports "One-to-Two", which allows you to connect two smart devices infinitely and play audio in 360-degree stereo in turn. It is also an alternative solution for families with different music preferences.

Sony SRS-XB31 also has a Party Booster function, which can be turned on by tapping the back of the machine after turning it on. Then you can play different sound effects by tapping different positions of the speaker, such as scratching, drums, bells, etc. It is also specially prepared for party animals and has a first-class ability to liven up the atmosphere. The boys and girls on TikTok like this function, and they play many interesting new tricks while tapping the speaker.

In terms of functionality, the two devices are basically tied.

Small size, big power: a comparison of the sound quality of two speakers

Now we come to the highlight of this comparison and evaluation - sound quality comparison.

Of course, I would like to state in advance that there are too many dimensions to sound. In addition to the overall sound performance, the adjustment direction, user type preference, etc. will affect a person's evaluation of a speaker, especially on a platform like Bluetooth speakers that require many trade-offs. Therefore, it is inevitable that the subjective color of sound quality evaluation is stronger, and it is only for readers' reference.

The device we chose is an iPhone X, the music source is Apple Music, and the connection method is Bluetooth. This is to restore the most normal usage scenario of these two Bluetooth speakers. After all, if you need to connect to the computer through an audio cable, I am afraid you will not buy these two speakers.

The music we chose includes Ferry by Tsai Chin, Barcarolle by Zhao Peng, Hotel California by Eagles and Girl from the South China Sea by Faye Wong from the Swans demo disc.

First, we used Zhao Peng's Barcarolle and the Eagles' Hotel California to listen to the difference in the high notes of the two. It can be heard that in the sound of the water at the beginning of the Barcarolle, the sound of the water of the JBL Pulse3 is clearer, faster and brighter. Similarly, the whistles of the audience in the background of the Hotel California are also louder and higher. In contrast, the water sound of the Sony SRS-XB31 is not cheerful enough, and the whistles are a bit lacking in breath. It can be seen that the JBL Pulse3 is better in the high notes.

Then, in terms of bass, let's listen to Tsai Chin's "The Crossing". The JBL has a good dive, but the rebound is not crisp enough, a little loose, and not strong enough. The Sony SRS-XB31 with EXTRA BASS also has a deep dive, strong rebound, and the drum beats are very shocking. In terms of bass, Sony is indeed strong.

In terms of sound field, we used Faye Wong's "Nanhai Girl" to listen. In the first 10 seconds, there is a transition of electronic music. Good speakers can make people clearly feel the transition of sound space. In this regard, the performance of the two small speakers is not particularly good, and there is still a certain gap with high-end headphones and high-end speakers, which can be regarded as a tie.

Overall, both speakers are very functional, and the sound quality is definitely the flagship performance among Bluetooth speakers. Coupled with the design-filled appearance, a variety of cool lighting effects and party play methods, they can easily meet the music requirements of fashion trendsetters. The sound performance is not inferior to that of wired transmission, and it also heralds the arrival of the wireless era.

The difference in the performance of the two in high and low frequencies is more like two tuning styles. Users who like high frequencies and vocals may prefer JBL Pulse3, but Sony SRS-XB31 with EXTRA BASS, which emphasizes bass, is undoubtedly more in line with the aesthetics of Chinese users and pleases the ears of Chinese music fans. Considering the differences in battery life and price, I personally recommend Sony SRS-XB31.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.