The XSound Go holds its own against premium ultra-compact Bluetooth speakers.

We were pleasantly surprised by the XSound Go. The speaker offers some excellent features and seems to hold its own against the premium brands. In fact, there are features where the XSound Go outperforms the big brands. We point out these comparisons throughout this review.

At a Glance

Speaker drivers:

2 x 1½” full-range drivers, 1 x passive bass radiator

Bluetooth:

V4.2, 66ft range

Power Output:

12W

Battery:

24 hours playing time (4-hour recharge from flat)

Weight:

13.4 oz

Color:

Available in Black and Blue.

Design & Features

Starting with looks, the XSound Go is strikingly similar to the Beats Pill. The primary difference is instead of a speaker grille on the rear, the XSound Go is solid.

The speaker is ultra-compact, only slightly longer than an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. This means you won’t have any issues fitting the XSound Go into most backpacks or even a handbag. There’s also a hook on the speaker allowing you to connect a strap the XSound Go to the outside of your bag. Great if you like to play music on the go. The speaker weighs just 13oz which means the speaker won’t weigh you down. Some headphones weigh 13oz!

Adventure enthusiasts will be pleased to know the XSound Go is IPX7 rated. This rating offers protection for complete submersion to a depth of 1m of up to 30 minutes. Perfect for those accidents or even use around the pool. The XSound Go could also be used in the shower or bathroom if you like some music while having a wash.

The XSound Go features a built-in microphone which offers both speakerphone and voice assistant functionality. The speaker works with Siri and Google Now which covers most smartphone devices on the market. Voice activated dialing is also available for some devices.  Call features include answer, end and reject.

One of the most impressive features of the XSound Go is its 24-hour battery life.

If we compare this to the premium brands, the XSound Go comes out way ahead!

• JBL Flip 4 – 12 hours of playing time
• Beats Pill – 12 hours of playing time
• The Anker Soundcore which is $5 cheaper than the XSound Go shares the same battery life.

I’ve seen a couple of reviews where users have charged the XSound Go once in weeks. Pretty crazy when you consider the XSound Go costs less than $40! From completely flat, the battery recharges in around 4 hours.

Inputs and Controls

The XSound Go offers two input options; Bluetooth and ⅛-inch AUX. The AUX  and charge inputs are located behind a waterproof seal to protect against water and debris. This obviously means you can’t (and shouldn’t) use the AUX input or charge the speaker when using the XSound Go near water.

The XSound Go features Bluetooth 4.2 which isn’t the latest version of Bluetooth, however, is sufficient for an ultra-compact speaker. You get around 66ft of range which is perfect. The speaker is really compact so anything than that, and you’re out of optimal listening range anyway!

On top of the XSound Go is a 5-button control panel that looks very similar in style and layout to the Anker Soundcore.  Buttons include power on/off, Bluetooth, play/pause, volume up, and volume down. Beside the power button is an LED that alerts to battery life and other important info. Details are provided in the user manual.

Sound

The XSound Go features two 1.5″ full-range drivers coupled to a center-mounted passive bass radiator. Each speaker delivers 6W of power for a total of 12W of power. On par with the Beats Pill and other speakers this size. So, how does the XSound Go sound?

The XSound Go holds its own against premium ultra-compact Bluetooth speakers. I would have to say the XSound Go definitely performs better in the low-end compared to the Beats Pill. While the Pill has a big bass sound, it’s slightly woolly and not very controlled. The XSound Go doesn’t have a big bass sound, but it’s a little tighter and more natural sounding.

Mid-range response and treble perform as to be expected for a speaker this size. The mids are slightly muddy (no more than the Beats Pill or JBL Flip 4) but offer enough clarity for most music genres.  The treble has a nice bright crispness which helps deliver a bit of fun and excitement to the listening experience.

For an ultra-compact speaker under $40, the XSound Go is truly impressive when it comes to sound quality. When you consider the Beats Pill is over $100 and the JBL Flip 4 is over $70, at just $32, you begin to realize the real value the XSound Go provides! While the Anker Soundcore comes in $5 cheaper, the sound quality is not as good as the XSound Go. The XSound Go has a better bass sound and is somewhat louder.

What’s in the Box?

Included with the Tribit XSound Go:

• Tribit Bluetooth Speaker
• Micro USB Cable
• Black Lanyard

Conclusion

So, should you buy the Tribit XSound Go? If you’re considering a compact Bluetooth speaker, then absolutely yes. As we’ve pointed out, why would you want to spend $100 when you can have the same thing for a little over $30. For me, 99% of compact Bluetooth speakers sound the same anyway.

Yes, there is a lot of cheap rubbish on the market, but the XSound Go is affordable and sounds great. You get all the same features as you do in the premium models so why would you want to spend more?

Original source form  OuterAudio