Sony has tossed its hat into the hotly-contested party speaker ring with the launch of the SRS-XV500, a beefy portable model aiming to pump up gatherings with powerful audio and vibrant lighting effects.
Unveiled today in South Africa, the SRS-XV500 packs a sonic punch thanks to a pair of Sony’s X-Balanced Speaker Units, designed to deliver forceful bass and minimise distortion even at high volumes. The two integrated tweeters promise crisp treble and clear vocals to fill even larger spaces. It’s a 2.1 channel system tuned to elevate house parties, raves in the garden, or impromptu karaoke sessions.
“We wanted to create a speaker that can ignite any social occasion,” said Hideyuki Furumi, Sony’s new product development manager. “The lighting features and wireless mic connectivity empower people to perform and become the ultimate party host,” he added.
Endurance is the name of the game here. Sony claims up to 25 hours of battery life at moderate listening levels – plenty to outlast even the most raging house party. The integrated handle makes it simpler to move the 6.5kg unit between rooms or out to the patio. The IPX4 water resistance rating also means a few rain showers (or spilled drinks) won’t prematurely kill the buzz.
Beyond audio, Sony talks up the SRS-XV500’s “fiestable” features, accessed through a companion app of the same name. Budding DJs can queue up playlists and customise lighting schemes – choosing from over 200 colour combos. The onboard mic input unlocks voice changing effects for karaoke singers, plus an echo control to emulate a concert hall vibe.
South African residents can pick up the SRS-XV500 for R11,999 from April. The company joins the likes of JBL, Anker and Ultimate Ears in chasing the party speaker crown. But with a brand cachet exceeding most rivals, Sony just might have the muscle to drown them out.
