When shopping for a portable Bluetooth speaker in 2024, you'll find options ranging from budget-friendly units to premium audio devices. Today, we're comparing two interesting choices: the recently released Morel BIGGIE ($299) and the established Sony XE300 ($99). While they're both portable Bluetooth speakers, they represent different approaches to mobile audio.
Bluetooth speakers have evolved significantly over the past few years. We've seen improvements in battery technology, sound quality, and durability. The latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard brings better range and stability, while advanced digital signal processing (DSP) helps smaller speakers sound bigger than ever.
The BIGGIE uses a traditional hi-fi approach with a two-way design: a 1-inch soft dome tweeter handles the high frequencies while a 4-inch woofer manages mids and bass. This separation of frequencies typically results in clearer, more detailed sound compared to single-driver designs. The 60-watt amplification system (45W for woofer, 15W for tweeter) provides substantial power for its size.
The XE300 takes a different approach with Sony's X-Balanced Speaker Unit - a single full-range driver complemented by dual passive radiators. While this might seem simpler, Sony's Line-Shape Diffuser technology helps spread sound more evenly across a wider area. This design choice prioritizes consistent sound coverage over absolute detail.
In practice, the BIGGIE delivers more refined audio, especially noticeable in complex musical passages. The dedicated tweeter provides crisp, detailed highs that bring out subtleties in cymbals and strings. The woofer's clean bass response extends down to about 40Hz - impressive for a portable unit.
The XE300's sound signature is more consumer-friendly, with emphasized bass and treble that works well for popular music. While it can't match the BIGGIE's detail or bass accuracy, its sound dispersion technology means everyone at an outdoor gathering gets a similar listening experience.
Released in late 2023, the BIGGIE features a modern square design measuring 7x7x4.5 inches and weighing 5.7 pounds. It's portable but substantial - you'll definitely notice it in a backpack. The removable handle makes carrying easier, and the premium build quality is immediately apparent.
The XE300, launched in 2022, offers a more traditional cylindrical shape at 4.1x9.4x4.7 inches and just 2.9 pounds. Its lighter weight and included strap make it more suitable for frequent transport or travel.
Here's where the products diverge significantly. The XE300 boasts an IP67 rating, meaning it's fully dustproof and can handle submersion in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The BIGGIE lacks any official water resistance rating, making it better suited for indoor use or covered outdoor spaces.
Both speakers offer impressive battery performance, but with different strengths:
The BIGGIE includes a modern USB-C port that can also charge your phone - a thoughtful feature for extended listening sessions. Both speakers use lithium-ion batteries with smart charging management to preserve battery life.
The BIGGIE features the latest Bluetooth 5.3 with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), providing excellent range up to 165 feet and improved connection stability. It's also Auracast-ready, though this feature awaits a firmware update.
The XE300 uses Bluetooth 5.2 with a 30-meter range and supports higher-quality audio codecs including LDAC - Sony's proprietary format that allows for higher-resolution audio streaming when paired with compatible devices.
Both speakers offer stereo pairing with a second unit of the same model. The XE300 goes further with Party Connect, allowing synchronization with up to 100 compatible Sony speakers. It also includes a built-in microphone for speakerphone functionality.
The Morel BIGGIE at $299 represents the premium end of the portable speaker market. You're paying for superior sound quality, higher power output, and premium construction. The price is justified if audio quality is your primary concern and you'll use it primarily in protected environments.
The Sony XE300 at $99 offers exceptional value, especially considering its rugged build, good sound quality, and feature set. It's a more versatile choice for general use, particularly if you plan to use it outdoors or need water resistance.
Consider these questions when choosing between these speakers:
For home theater use, while neither speaker is specifically designed for this purpose, the BIGGIE's superior audio quality and more powerful amplification make it the better choice. Its stereo separation and detail retrieval would better serve movie soundtracks and dialogue.
The Morel BIGGIE and Sony XE300 represent different philosophies in portable audio. The BIGGIE emphasizes sound quality and power, while the XE300 prioritizes versatility and value. Your choice should align with your specific needs and use cases.
If audio quality is paramount and you'll primarily use the speaker indoors or in protected outdoor spaces, the BIGGIE's superior sound quality and power make it worth the premium price. However, if you need a more versatile speaker that can handle outdoor adventures while delivering good sound quality, the XE300's durability and features make it an excellent value.
| Morel BIGGIE ($299) | Sony XE300 ($99) |
|---|---|
| Audio Configuration - Determines sound quality and detail | |
| Two-way with 1" tweeter + 4" woofer | Single full-range driver with passive radiators |
| Power Output - Affects maximum volume and dynamics | |
| 60W total (45W woofer + 15W tweeter) | Not specified, likely 15-20W |
| Frequency Response - Range of reproducible sound | |
| 40Hz - 20kHz | 20Hz - 20kHz (theoretical) |
| Maximum Volume - Important for outdoor use | |
| 95dB @ 1m | ~85dB @ 1m (estimated) |
| Battery Life - Critical for portable use | |
| 20 hours, 4 hours from 20-min charge | 24 hours, 70 min from 10-min charge |
| Water Resistance - Key for outdoor durability | |
| No official rating | IP67 (submersible to 1m) |
| Weight - Impacts portability | |
| 5.7 lbs (heavier, less portable) | 2.9 lbs (more portable) |
| Bluetooth Version - Affects connection quality | |
| 5.3 with 165ft range | 5.2 with 98ft range |
| Additional Features - Expands usefulness | |
| TWS stereo pairing, USB-C phone charging | Party Connect (100 speakers), speakerphone, LDAC codec |
| Size - Consider for transport and placement | |
| 7" x 7" x 4.5" (cube shape) | 4.1" x 9.4" x 4.7" (cylindrical) |
| Construction - Impacts durability and sound | |
| MDF cabinet with premium materials | Plastic with rubberized coating |
| Special Features - Unique capabilities | |
| Auracast-ready (future update), high-end audio components | Line-Shape Diffuser, multi-speaker sync |
The Morel BIGGIE ($299) offers superior sound quality and power, while the Sony XE300 ($99) provides better value and durability. The BIGGIE is better for audio quality, while the XE300 is better for outdoor use and portability.
The Morel BIGGIE has better sound quality with its two-way speaker design and 60W amplification. The Sony XE300 offers good but less detailed sound through its single driver system.
The Sony XE300 is significantly more durable with IP67 water/dust resistance. The Morel BIGGIE has no water resistance rating and is better suited for indoor use.
Both offer excellent battery life, with the Sony XE300 providing 24 hours and the Morel BIGGIE offering 20 hours. Both feature fast charging capabilities.
The Sony XE300 is more portable at 2.9 lbs compared to the Morel BIGGIE at 5.7 lbs. The XE300's smaller size and lighter weight make it easier to carry.
The Morel BIGGIE is louder with 95dB maximum volume, compared to the Sony XE300 which is notably quieter. The BIGGIE has more power for filling larger spaces.
The Sony XE300 is better for outdoor use with its IP67 rating and portable design. The Morel BIGGIE is more suited for indoor or covered outdoor spaces.
The Morel BIGGIE has newer Bluetooth 5.3 with 165ft range, while the Sony XE300 uses Bluetooth 5.2 with 98ft range. Both provide stable connections.
Yes, both the Morel BIGGIE and Sony XE300 can be paired with a second unit for stereo sound. The XE300 also offers Party Connect for up to 100 speakers.
The Sony XE300 offers better value at $99 with its features and durability. The Morel BIGGIE at $299 is justified if superior sound quality is your priority.
The Morel BIGGIE provides 4 hours of playback from a 20-minute charge, while the Sony XE300 offers 70 minutes from a 10-minute charge. Both use USB-C charging.
The Morel BIGGIE provides more accurate and deeper bass with its dedicated 4" woofer, while the Sony XE300 offers good but less defined bass through its passive radiator system.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: theabsolutesound.com - ecoustics.com - crutchfield.com - techradar.com - crutchfield.com - tpdhifi.com - audioxpress.com - nlp.stanford.edu - eisa.eu - muzix.eu - bestbuy.com - sony.co.uk - soundguys.com - bestbuy.com - cgmagonline.com - sony.com - sony.com - bestbuy.com - sony.com - electronics.sony.com - helpguide.sony.net
