Sound quality: Sony's XB7 Extra Bass had fair overall sound quality. Bass has good impact but is a bit tubby, muddy and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is muffled and congested. Treble is subdued and smeared. So-so recovery of room ambience, sounds congested, and lacks fine detail. No significant difference between Bluetooth, wired and USB sound quality. Provides a decent volume level in a large sized room. When two units are used as a stereo pair sound remains congested and muffled, it can get much louder, but since two separate speakers are used the sound stage can be made wider depending on placement and room ambience remains so so, sound quality remains fair.
Ease of use: We found the Sony XB7 Extra Bass ease of use to be good overall. Volume controls are prominant but low contrast, there is nothing to indicate that it is a volume control except + and - symbols, no index markings but it does indicate with a led light pattern when you reach the max setting. Works with line in, Bluetooth inputs and USB inputs. Bluetooth pairing requires a press of a high contrast labeled and multifunctioned button which is also the Function button (Source selector) on unit and then the selection of 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 supports NFC pairing. Switching sources involves the press of a ambiguously labeled (Function) button which is also a multi-function control for Bluetooth pairing. There are clear and persistent indicators when a source is selected. The physical remote control provided has high contrast labeling for transport controls, source selection and volume among other functions. However, functions can be controlled from the Sony Music Center app.
