Sony Ericsson MBS-100 review

As Bluetooth speakers go, the features of the MBS-100 are basic. There are no built-in microphones to use for hands-free calling, and no AVRCP buttons for remote music playback control. Sony won't even give you a simple control for volume adjustment and assumes you'll be able to adjust volume on the device you're streaming from--which is not the case with our iPod Touch.

The MBS-100's killer feature, though, is an internal rechargeable battery capable of up to 5 hours of continuous music playback and 50 hours of standby time. It's not quite as outstanding as Logitech's PureFi Mobile ($149) that is rated at 12 hours of playback, but its bests the Yamaha NX-B02's four hours of tunes.

That said, we hardly recommend listening to the MBS-100 for five hours straight, since the audio quality is only about as good as a clock radio. To Sony's credit, evoking a rich, deep sound from a 4-inch plastic ball would require a loophole in the laws of physics--and though the sound is thin, it is also surprisingly crisp and detailed.

What the MBS-100 lacks in sound quality, it makes up for in style and portability. The speaker's wireless Bluetooth range affords a range of 30 feet to 40 feet between the speaker and the transmitter, and its size and weight make it easy to pick up and take on the go.

At the time of this review, we're seeing the MBS-100 selling online for about $40 to $50, which is a great price provided you're a fan of adventurous design. Still, for us to really love this speaker, it needs to have a built-in volume adjustment and maybe just a little extra sonic oomph.