Weighing in at 45 pounds, with five tweeters and two woofers with MEGA Bass, the SRS-XV800 is a beast of sorts. Thankfully, the device comes with a built-in handle and wheels, so it’s easy to move from party to party (or gig to gig). Despite its weight and impressive sound, the device is relatively compact: 12.4″ x 28.3″ x 14.7″ (WxHxD). You shouldn’t have any trouble stowing it in the trunk (or in the trunk, for those who love Tesla) or in the overhead compartment of your private jet while traveling to your next venue.

Like any good party guest, the SRS-XV800 pairs well with others: it can be connected and synced with up to 99 additional Sony speakers in Wireless Party Chain mode. 100 of these speakers could fill Bill Gates’ mansion and grounds with party tunes for hours. The XV800 even includes built-in lighting that can be synced to the beat of the music and to other Sony speakers so you can stage your own Rave indoors or outdoors. The speaker’s IPX4 waterproof rating means you won’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain.

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Sony already offers one party speaker that’s even bigger than the SRS-XV800. SRS-XV900, which sells for $899, weighs about 59 pounds and is about 10 inches taller than the XV800. The SRS-XV900 is available from authorized Sony retailers such as Amazon. But for most purposes, the more compact SRS-XV800 will be fine for party tunes.

Like its big brother, the new SRS-XV800 can be used wirelessly (Bluetooth), but it also offers two 1/4-inch inputs so you can plug in a microphone, electric guitar, keyboard or electronic drums for your next karaoke party or open night microphone. To showcase this, Sony treated several people to a live performance by a local singer-songwriter. Jam Blue. Jam connected his microphone and guitar to the SRS-XV800 single and played a collection of original songs and covers through the speaker. The vocals sounded clear and natural, as did his gentle guitar playing.

The XV800 also features an optical digital output in case you want to connect a TV or projector to it. To that end, the speaker includes Sony’s “TV Sound Booster” to optimize sound for movies or TV shows. The SRS-VX800 is a great choice for an outdoor movie night. With up to 25 hours of playback on a single charge, you can watch all of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings – even the extended versions. The popcorn will run out before this speaker. And if you forget to charge it, a quick 10-minute charge will give you 3 hours of continuous wireless audio playback.

The SRS-XV800 is compatible with the Sony Music Center and Fiestable mobile apps. With Sony Music Center, you can select playlists, change lighting patterns and sound modes from your phone or tablet. The Sony Fiestable app is where the real party happens, with access to features like karaoke voice enhancement (Voice Changer, Reverb and Echo) and DJ control to add sound effects to the mix.

The SRS-XV800 includes audio settings and line level controls on a hidden rear panel. Flip open the rubber cover to access the device’s line level, USB and digital inputs. In addition to app control, the top of the device features touch controls for playback and volume. When your phone is not at hand, these controls allow you to adjust the volume, pause or skip songs, or switch inputs on your device.

The Sony SRS-XV800 can be ordered from authorized Sony retailers today (May 8, 2023) with shipments due later this month.

> Buy or learn more about the new Sony SRS-XV800 on Amazon