Home / Gadgets / Wireless Speakers Under RM500: Anker SoundCore Flare+ vs Sony SRS-XB23 vs JBL Flip 5

Wireless Speakers Under RM500: Anker SoundCore Flare+ vs Sony SRS-XB23 vs JBL Flip 5


October 22, 2021
Wireless Speakers Under RM500: Anker SoundCore Flare+ vs Sony SRS-XB23 vs JBL Flip 5

Wireless Bluetooth speakers are a great addition to your household gadgets as they check many boxes: portable, durable, and providing good audio quality in a variety of environments and situations. Many wireless speakers these days are IP rated to withstand the elements, so they’re perfect for outdoor parties or trips.

With such a wide range of options and prices, the search to find the perfect wireless speaker can be a daunting task. If you want a good quality speaker but at an affordable price, read on to find out more about some of the best-selling wireless speakers under RM500 as well as our final pick.

Anker SoundCore Flare+ – from RM469.00

Product Type: Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Wired /Wireless: Wireless
Dimensions: 99 x 99 x 183 mm
Weight: 0.85 kg

The SoundCore Flare+ is the highest-priced speaker in the Soundcore Flare lineup. For accessories, the speaker comes with micro-USB cable for charging and a 3.5 mm jack cable. It is also IPX7-rated which means it is completely waterproof up to 1 metre for 30 minutes. According to SoundCore, the Flare+ has a battery life of 20 hours, which is more than enough for most situations. 

Perhaps the most unique feature of the Soundcore Flare+ compared to the others in this article is the LEDs at the base. If you want lights to accompany your music, you can choose from a number of themes and illumination patterns which you can customise via the Soundcore app.

Running on Bluetooth 5 and packed with full-range drivers, two tweeters, and dual bass radiators, the Flare+ provides 360-degree surround sound. It also utilises BassUp™ technology which helps to make the bass of the music sound deeper. To double the volume for extra big events, you can connect two Flare+ speakers via a single device.

The SoundCore Flare+ is targeted for use in parties and other social gatherings and according to reviewers it provides a decent listening experience and is a solid contender for the best wireless speaker under RM500.

Sony SRS-XB23 – from RM375.00

Product Type: Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Wired / Wireless: Wireless
Dimensions: 76 x 76 x 218 mm
Weight: 0.58 kg

The SRS-XB23 is one of the mid-range offerings from Sony’s current wireless speakers available. It charges with USB-C but does not support fast charging. However, after 4 hours of charging, you can get up to 12 hours of battery life depending on the volume level, as advertised by Sony. Impressively the SRS-XB23 is IP67-rated, it is highly dust and water resistant, and is even claimed to be saltwater-resistant.

The speaker features controls for Party Mode which allows it to link up to 100 other SRS-series speakers and Speaker Pair. You can also download the versatile Sony Music Center app to access settings such as switching between stereo and mono audio, user-adjustable EQ, and power-saving modes.

Connected via Bluetooth 5, the SRS-XB23 also supports three major codecs (SBC, AAC, and LDAC) and has dual full-range drivers. In terms of audio performance, the speaker does quite well and provides users with rich bass depth and solid high-frequency clarity. At this price point, it is quite difficult to find a speaker that would do much better than the SRS-XB23.

JBL Flip 5 – from RM459.00

JBL Flip 5 Wireless Speaker

Product Type: Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Wired / Wireless: Wireless
Dimensions: 181 x 69 x 74 mm
Weight: 0.54 kg

Successor to the Flip 4, the Flip 5 speaker is one of the more recent mid-range offerings from JBL’s line of wireless speakers. Unlike the SoundCore Flare, the JBL Flip 5 comes with USB-C charging but no 3.5mm AUX input, which means you cannot connect the speaker to a device without Bluetooth. However, it is also IPX7-certified so you don’t have to worry about water damage when bringing this outside or to the shower.

According to JBL, the Flip 5 has a battery life of 12 hours. It also features a PartyBoost mode which allows you to connect to a variety of other JBL speakers and stream the same music simultaneously. The free JBL Connect app features a few functions such as displaying battery life and setting stereo pairing. 

The Flip 5 does not use Bluetooth 5 like the other speakers here and would be a good fit for those who are not too concerned about bass and sound quality, as they are mediocre at best.


So what’s our pick?

Although all three speakers in this article have their own strengths and weaknesses, we would pick the Sony SRS-XB23 as the best wireless speaker under RM500.

Out of the three speakers, the SRS-XB23 has the most latest technology in its design such as Bluetooth 5 and the support of major codecs. Generally, the sound and bass performance of the speaker is also well received for the price. 

Whether you’re out-and-about or just at home, it would be hard to find a speaker under RM500 that is as versatile and worth the money as the Sony SRS-XB23.