Xiaomi’s latest Sound Outdoor Speaker brings a compelling mix of power, portability, and affordability to the Bluetooth speaker market. With a 30W output, dual driver setup, IP67 water and dust resistance, and an innovative ability to pair with up to 100 speakers simultaneously, this speaker is designed for those who want to amplify their audio experience without breaking the bank. Priced at INR 3,999, it offers a budget-friendly alternative to pricier models from brands like JBL and Sony.
Design & Build: Rugged and Practical
The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor Speaker features a familiar tubular design, with most of its exterior wrapped in durable fabric. A rubber strip runs along the back, doubling as a loop for easy portability. The black model reviewed here sports a contrasting orange loop, while the red and blue variants come with matching loops.
With an IP67 rating, the Sound Outdoor is built to withstand harsh environments, making it ideal for outdoor use. However, it lacks an audio jack, offering only Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. Pairing is manual due to the absence of NFC.
Audio Performance: Impressive Indoors, Lacks Punch Outdoors
The Sound Outdoor Speaker houses two active drivers—a 20W woofer and a 10W mid-range driver—assisted by passive radiators at both ends. This setup results in a powerful, punchy sound with impressive low-end output. Indoors, it can get loud without distortion, making it perfect for small gatherings or parties.
Outdoors, however, the speaker struggles to deliver the same bass response, and the sound profile becomes noticeably flatter. The unit’s performance also varies depending on placement; placing it near walls or corners enhances the bass, but mids and highs remain highly directional, requiring precise positioning for optimal clarity. The absence of a dedicated tweeter means the highs lack sparkle, and the overall sound can feel dull in some situations.
Mono Sound & Pairing Capabilities
Unlike some competitors, the Sound Outdoor offers mono sound only, which may not deliver the spacious audio experience expected from stereo-capable speakers. Fortunately, you can pair two units for stereo output or go all-in and pair up to 99 additional units for a massive, synchronized audio setup. In a demo, four speakers played in perfect sync, making it a fun option for large events.
Latency & Call Quality
When used solo, the speaker exhibits low latency, keeping audio perfectly in sync with video playback across various sources. However, latency with multiple paired units wasn’t tested, and it’s likely that audio-video sync issues will arise when more speakers are connected.
The built-in microphone for voice calls is a major disappointment. Audio quality during calls is abysmal, with barely audible output and garbled sound, rendering it useless for voice communication.
Battery Life & Charging
Xiaomi claims a 12-hour battery life at 50% volume, which aligns with industry standards for speakers of this size. The speaker charges in about 2.5 hours using a 15W charger. While charging is quick, it’s worth noting that the speaker cannot be used as a power bank to charge other devices.