103

Sony SRS-RA3000 Review

Christen da Costa Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM

True Score

69
69
5

Experts

79
353

Consumers

Expert Rankings

Top critics were impressed by the Sony SRS-RA3000, and they recommended it for music, podcasts, and movies. They love its balanced sound profile, wide soundstage, and good Bluetooth latency. Analysts were delighted that it supports stereo and gets fairly loud. However, experts were disappointed by the lack of voice assistant and speakerphone functions.

$398.00

We’re reader-supported. Commissions finance our mission. Our ‘True Score‘ system independently powers ratings. Learn more

Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Sony SRS-RA3000 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker that made its debut in 2021, intending to provide ambient room-filling sound in indoor spaces. This Bluetooth 4.2 device has features similar to the highest-rated speakers today. The Sony SRS-RA3000 device has an excellent soundstage, featuring a low directivity index and boasting full support for stereo. It has an outstanding 334.6-foot Bluetooth range. Read on to learn about the Sony SRS-RA3000 and see how it measures up against the best Bluetooth speakers in the industry today.

Consensus

our Verdict

Analysts loved the Sony SRS-RA3000 during their tests, and they recommended it for music, movies, and podcasts. Experts at What Hifi hailed its accurate music out of the box, recording a 55.8Hz to 13.5kHz frequency response range and3.86 dB standard error. However, its low bass is not very thumpy, according to the testers. EDM and hip-hop music enthusiasts who need deeper boomy bass should check out the Sonos One SL review. Reviewers at Techgear Lab were impressed by its 1.60 dB directivity index and support for stereo, providing a wide, open soundstage. It clocked in at 87.0 dB in maximum SPL tests, proving to be loud during experiments. The 2.23 dB DRC indicates only minor sound compression at the highest volume setting. Testing revealed an app-based EQ and presets, and it has a decent 58 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 80 ms Android Bluetooth latency. This speaker weighs just 5.0 lbs. However, it lacks speakerphone and voice assistant features, and it’s not battery-powered.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Outstanding soundstage
  • Well-balanced music out-of-the-box
  • App-based EQ and presets
  • Speaker gets fairly loud
  • Decent Bluetooth latency

Reason to Avoid

  • Lacks speakerphone and voice assistant features
  • Doesn’t support multi-device Bluetooth pairing
  • Mediocre low-bass
  • Not suitable for the outdoors
  • Speaker is not battery powered

Sony SRS-RA3000 Specs

Battery LifeBattery Lifen/a
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In Microphonen/a
Charge TimeCharge Timen/a
SizeSize9.75" (h) x 6.12" (w) x 5.75" (d)
Smart AppSmart Appn/a
Speaker PairingSpeaker PairingYes
Water ResistantWater Resistantn/a
WattageWattage20W
Wireless RangeWireless Range30 ft

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)0
Volume Output (dB)87
Low End Roll Off (Hz)62.586
High End Roll Off (Hz)10,093.191

Like what you’re reading? Get trustworthy, transparent product reviews and the latest tech news delivered to your inbox every morning.

Product Comparison

Sony SRS-RA3000 Review

Bose Home Speaker 500 Review Draft

True Score

69
56
84
NR

Ranking

#

103

/

109

#

108

/

109

#

11

/

109

#

/

109

Market Context

The Sony SRS-RA3000 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker that made its debut in 2021, intending to provide ambient room-filling sound in indoor spaces. This…

The Sony SRS-RA3000 is a mid-range portable Bluetooth speaker that made its debut in 2021, intending to provide ambient room-filling sound in indoor spaces. This Bluetooth 4.2 device has features similar to the highest-rated speakers today. The Sony SRS-RA3000 device has an excellent soundstage, featuring a low directivity index and boasting full support for stereo. It has an outstanding 334.6-foot Bluetooth range. Read on to learn about the Sony SRS-RA3000 and see how it measures up against the best Bluetooth speakers in the industry today.

The Sony SRS-RA5000 downmixes stereo music to mono, while the Sony SRS-RA3000 offers full support for stereo. Additionally, the RA3000 wireless speaker has a better…

The Sony SRS-RA5000 downmixes stereo music to mono, while the Sony SRS-RA3000 offers full support for stereo. Additionally, the RA3000 wireless speaker has a better 1.60 dB directivity index, resulting in a wider soundstage than the RA50000, which has a 2.78 dB directivity index. Check out the Sony SRS-RA5000 review for details.

Featuring an IP56 water-resistant, dust-resistant rated construction, the Sonos Move is better for the outdoors than the Sony SRS-RA3000, which lacks any water-resistance rating. Additionally,…

Featuring an IP56 water-resistant, dust-resistant rated construction, the Sonos Move is better for the outdoors than the Sony SRS-RA3000, which lacks any water-resistance rating. Additionally, the Move is battery-powered, unlike the AC-powered Sony portable speaker. However, the Sony SRS-RA3000 supports stereo, unlike the Sonos Move. See our Sonos Move review to learn more about the Move device.

With built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, the Bose Home 500 is more user-friendly than the Sony SRS-RA3000, which doesn’t support any voice assistants. On the…

With built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, the Bose Home 500 is more user-friendly than the Sony SRS-RA3000, which doesn’t support any voice assistants. On the other hand, the Sony SRS-RA3000 has an app-based graphic EQ and presets, unlike the Bose portable speaker. Also, check out the best soundbar for Sony TVs today.

Battery Life

n/a

n/a

11 hrs

Built In Microphone

n/a

Yes

Yes

Charge Time

n/a

n/a

2 hrs

Size

9.75" (h) x 6.12" (w) x 5.75" (d)

235 mm (w) x 329 mm (h) x 225 mm (d)

Smart App

n/a

Yes

Sonos app

Speaker Pairing

Yes

Yes

Yes

Water Resistant

n/a

n/a

Yes

Wattage

20W

55W

25W

Dig Deeper

Sony SRS-RA5000 Review →

Sonos Move Review →

All Stores

Updated every 24 hours

  • $398.00

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    Yes
  • Save $2
    $399.99
    $398.00

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    No
  • $398.00

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

Score Card

E

Expert Score

69

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

79

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

69

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    57
    The Sony SRS-RA3000 is decent for music. Thanks to its 360-degree design, it has a… Read More

    By:

    Dagobiet Morales Alfaro
  • Techgear Lab
    43.1

    Category Trust Rating

    79
    Boasting incredible audio quality and a wide array of connectivity options, the Sony SRS-RA3000 is… Read More

    By:

    Michelle Powell
  • Which?
    55.2

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The Sony SRS-RA3000 is a home wireless speaker that features the brand’s 360 Reality Audio… Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Consumer Reports
    15.6

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The Sony SRS-RA3000 is part of the Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers test program at Consumer… Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Spy.com
    17.5

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    Overall this is a solid sounding and capable speaker. It does get quite loud, can… Read More

    By:

    Erin Lawrence