The Sony SRS-T33 doesn't have any real features to speak of--not even its own volume control, which is a bummer, because it doesn't get very loud. The front of the device is dominated by a pair of 1.5-inch speakers, while an on/off switch and a power LED rest along the top. Flip it over and you'll find the battery compartment, two included AAA batteries, and a flip-out stand that also functions to hold the 1/8-inch cable in place during travel. Unfortunately, you cannot power the speakers via a wall outlet.
In our tests, the SRS-T33 provided surprisingly decent sound, considering its bargain price tag. We had no Sony player on hand, so we used a Creative Zen Micro, which boasts a signal-to-noise ratio of 98dB. There was no noticeable background hiss, and the highs and lows of our tunes came through clearly. Vocals sounded a bit hollow at high volumes, and although bass response was acceptable for speakers of this size, we noticed some distortion--especially in guitar-heavy songs--at the highest volume.
