Bluetooth speakers are just so the gadget of the day, aren't they?

 

Amazing how suddenly we've all agreed things like stereo sound and big bass don't really matter that much anymore. Apparently, what we really want is a speaker we can carry in our pocket so we can blast out tunes from our phone wherever we go.

 

Some situations require more of a boom...

 

 

The GTK-XB60 from Sony is not pretty and it certainly isn't small. In fact it looks more like some piece of industrial sound gear you'd find on tour with a band than your average bluetooth speaker.

 

For starters, it's about the size of a carry-on suitcase, although it's more of a wedge shape than a box. This means you can lie it on its side or stand it up tall - there are rubber feet on two different sides to cater for either choice.

 

There's also an unprecedented number of options when it comes connecting your music source to this speaker, not just bluetooth. The input panel includes RCA, USB and Mic inputs. There are also RCA outputs, or you can link to other Sony bluetooth devices with a press of the "Party Chain" button. As a result this device is almost more of a head unit for a P.A. system than a standalone speaker.

 

 

 

In fact, thanks to the RCA out, I was easily able to connect another non-bluetooth but powerful speaker to really annoy my neighbours, especially when I also plugged in a microphone so I could sing along.

 

The GTK-XB60 is nothing if not versatile.

 

Of course, another great feature is its portability. The built-in battery recharges whenever the unit is plugged in. I'd like to be able to give you a clear indication of how long a fully charged battery lasts, but there are so many variables; connected via cable or bluetooth, operating in ExtraBass or Stamina mode, using the light show or leaving it dark.

 

Let's just say, I've been running it off the battery for hours at a time, no worries. Curiously, there's no dust or water resistance listed for this speaker (perhaps a bit challenging for a device this large) but that would certainly have added some peace of mind if you're planning on taking it to the beach or the park. I found it easy to carry around by the way. At 8kgs it's lighter than it looks and the carry handle is comfortable enough.

 

And yes, you read right - there's a full light show included for your enjoyment, utilising a combination of coloured LEDs and white strobes. This isn't just a random display (although it can be). You can choose from a selection of preset patterns or create your own scheme.

 

This is where things get unnecessarily complicated.

 

Sony has designed an app for controlling audio devices like the GTK-XB60 called Music Center. Via the same bluetooth connection your device is already using to stream your playlists, Music Center is basically an all-encompassing remote control. Here you can select different sources, adjust the EQ, even turn the unit off completely.

 

The different lighting presets are listed here too, but for even more control, you can download another app, sort of an app within an app, called Fiestable.

 

This gives you fingertouch control over all lighting colours and sequences and also lets you unleash your inner D.J. with effects like flanger, wah and isolator. There are also drum, scratch, voice and crowd sound effects you can play from your phone screen. These are actually pretty fun, although you'll need to anticipate the slight bluetooth delay if you want to drum along in time with any song.

 

There are all kinds of motion controls that involve waving your phone around in different directions to set off a variety of sound and lighting effects, but that was too gimmicky even for me.

 

These are perhaps far too many options if you're simply using the GTK-XB60 for its primary objective; getting the party started. Bearing in mind you can just switch this thing on and away you go. In fact, even pairing the bluetooth has been simplified with built-in NFC - just holding your phone against the control panel is all you have to do. You can also pair up to three devices at once so you can take turns playing D.J.

 

There's only one thing that really bugged me about the GTK-XB60, but it's quite a big issue. I just wasn't that impressed with the sound quality. There is certainly plenty of bass to go around, thanks in part to Sony's ExtraBass technology, but mostly due to the full-sized 13cm twin woofers, something most bluetooth rigs simply aren't big enough to offer. My problem was at the other end of the scale, almost as though Sony has sacrificed higher frequencies to provide more power to the bottom. The result is a bit muddy, and although I was able to tweak this slighlty using the EQ settings on Music Center app, this is probably not the speaker I'd choose to provide a bit of sophisticated background jazz for my dinner party.

 

What the GTK-XB60 does do, is pump out dance beats bright and loud. Really loud.

 

So if you live in a remote location, or the neighbours were invited to your party anyway, wind up the volume and this could be just the sound and light machine to fill your dance floor.

 

 

Click here for more information and pricing on the Sony GTK-XB60 bluetooth speaker