Sound quality: Ion-Audio's Sport XL had Good overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. With the Equalizer settings set to produce the most even sound in the Ion Sound XP app, bass has decent impact but deep doesn't go deep and may sound subdued with some program material. Midrange is somewhat grainy, a bit thin, hazy and a touch etched. Treble is fairly extended, but is a bit prominent and somewhat sizzly. Does a so so job of recovering room ambience, sounds somewhat congested and a touch constricted and is lacking in detail. The speaker is monophonic. When two units are used as a stereo pair the sound stage can be made wider depending on placement. Provides a decent volume level in a large sized room. No significant difference between Bluetooth and Aux input sound quality. The equalizer and bass boost settings in the Ion Sound XP app have a very noticeable effect on the sound.
Ease of use: We found the Ion-Audio Sport XL ease of use to be Very Good overall. The units Bluetooth is always in pairing mode when not already paired, shows a pairing mode indicator. Indicates when pairing mode has occurred and never times out. It is NFC capable. The volume control is a large knob and has a non persistent numerical display, that is easily repeatable. The sources as follows: Bluetooth, Aux and Radio all can play at the same time as opposed to switching between them. Have to turn off audio from other sources so that there no overlap.
