Sony SRS-T33 Compact Portable Speakers (Blue)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 3.8 x 1.8 inches ; 6.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001RM9GA
• Item model number: SRS-T33BLUE
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Don't want to wear headphones just to enjoy a little of your own music back at the hotel? Take some speakers with you. With SRS-T33's single chassis and compact, foldable design, Sony's 1-watt-per-channel portable speakers will travel wherever you do. The little package even offers cable and plug storage management.

The speakers' 1.3-inch (34 mm) neodymium magnet drivers produce high energy output for impressive speaker movement, power, and sonic accuracy, giving you remarkably good sound from speakers occupying little more space than a CD case. Sometimes referred to as a rare earth magnet, neodymium offers 15 times the strength of a traditional strontium-iron-based magnet. This strength grants greater power handling and higher frequency reproduction. Kick in the unit's Mega Bass circuit for a boost.

The SRS-T33 is magnetically shielded to avoid interference when placed near or atop a TV, laptop computer, or monitor. The speakers operate for about 24 hours using 4 AA batteries (not included) and weigh approximately 8 ounces (without batteries) or 12 ounces (with batteries). The unit can also be used as passive portable speaker system, with no batteries or external power source required; just use the headphone amplifier on you portable device. Optional accessories include the AC-E60HG or AC-E60A AC/DC power adapters.

What's in the Box
Speaker unit, a connecting cord, a user's manual, and warranty info.

Product Description

SLIM & COMPACT DESIGN FOR USE WITH A LAPTOP OR WALKMAN CABLE & PLUG STORAGE MANAGEMENT MEGA BASS FOR ENHANCED BASS SOUND 34MM THIN TYPE NEODYMIUM MAGNET FOR HIGH-QUALITY SOUND ACTIVE/PASSIVE OPERATION MAGNETICALLY SHIELDED BLUE

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful, compact design. unbeliveably full sound., May 17, 2004

By 

jonny I. "designcentric" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony SRS-T33 Compact Portable Speakers (Blue) (Personal Computers)

In my quest for the perfect portable speaker I came across this little beauty at Target. At about the size of a ballpark frank but less filling, the Sony SRS-T33 provides more than enough sound for an afternoon at the pool. Admittingly, I was fairly skeptical about getting decent sound out of any portable speaker; this was reaffirmed after plugging in my iPod. The sound was absolutely weak. I considered returning them but I wanted to hear what the power amplifier sounded like. So as soon as the NiMH AAA batteries I purchased were charged, I threw them into the speakers and the difference was like ketchup and mustard. The sound was full, deep and suprisingly powerful. I've "test driven" a few other speakers in this price range, mostly separates that are 3 times the size and weight (do you know how big a pain it is to carry those to the pool?) and the Sony definitely sounds significantly better, while the others usually sound like tin cans.

The only drawback is the audio cable is only 10 inches long, meaning you'll probably "reposition" (or knock over) your speakers as you're changing songs on your iPod. On the plus side, the cable integrates into the design and seamlessly hides when not in use (no wrapping the audio jack around the speaker 10 times). For $40 it's definitely the best choice for size, sound and design.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A terrible choice for portable audio., October 30, 2004

By 

Zube "kile25" (Youngsville, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony SRS-T33 Compact Portable Speakers (Blue) (Personal Computers)

I find it hard to believe that any of the reviewers who have made positive comments have actually listened to and compared several different sets of portable speakers. If they had, they would tell you to avoid these losers.

The sound is tinny, even with the amplifier on. With only .15 watts per channel, you get volume only marginally above that of a typical set of headphones just lying on the table. These might do OK if you put them on the pillow next to your head, but I suspect that you will still be disappointed.

Instead, consider the Panasonic RP-SPT70 travel speakers. They are, when folded, only slightly larger than the T33s. They use four AA batteries and have 1 watt of power output per speaker. They also cost about $10 less than the Sonys.

To be fair, the Sonys DO fit in just about any handbag or briefcase. And they are very solidly constructed. But this does not compensate for the poor sound quality.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Accessory Error, February 8, 2005

By 

Tom "Tom" (Albuquerque NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony SRS-T33 Compact Portable Speakers (Blue) (Personal Computers)

I purchased this product and specifically wanted to use it with an AC power source. As you can see from the technical specifications, it can use the optional AC-E60A AC Adapter. (The same note is provided on the Sony web site.) That is not true. I spent a long time today with Sony support and the same answer from everyone was that, in fact, this speaker is not compatible with an AC adapter. If you want to use batteries, fine (although it did sound "tinny"), but if you want to use an AC power source, look elsewhere.