Sound quality: Sony's SRX-XB31 had good overall sound quality. Bass has good impact but is a touch boomy and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is fairly even but is somewhat hazy and grainy. Treble is extended but smeared and sizzly, and upper treble is somewhat prominent. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience but is somewhat congested. Provides a decent volume level in a medium to large sized room. No significant difference between Bluetooth and wired sound quality. When two units are used as a stereo pair sound remains somewhat hazy and congested, it can get louder but since two separate speakers are used the sound stage can be made wider depending on placement and room ambience improves but remains decent, sound quality improves slightly but remains good. Note: The stereo pairing setup is a tedious, ambiguous process which required a combination of button presses on both units and on occasion required re-pairing Bluetooth.
Ease of use: We found the Sony SRX-XB31 ease of use to be very good overall. Volume controls are low contrast, there is nothing to indicate that it is a volume control except + and - symbols. Bluetooth pairing requires a press of a low contrast labeled and multifunctioned button which is also the power button on the unit and then the selection of the unit from Bluetooth selection list on source device; unit provides an obvious indication that the unit is in pairing mode as well as when pairing has actually occurred. Unit also has NFC capability. Switching sources involves plug and unplug - The line input has priority over Bluetooth when plugged in with slight or no delay. Unambiguous. Aux input label is low contrast.
