JBL Xtreme 3 vs Boombox 2: Find Your Perfect Match
The JBL Xtreme 3 vs Boombox 2 will meet face-to-face in this battle. These are two of the best portable speakers for backyard get-togethers, beach parties, and outdoor events with friends. We’ll analyze the Bluetooth speakers deep and help you make an informed purchase. So without further ado, let’s get right into business!
The JBL Xtreme 3 vs Boombox 2
Table of Contents
Quick Summary
The Xtreme 3 is a relatively small device that offers plenty of crisp sound, even if its bass is admittedly straight in the low frequency. It’ll stand multiple crash tests, keep the battery going for 15 hours, and easily handle any water it comes in contact with while still sounding great.
The Boombox 2 is another great choice for those willing to invest a little more money. This speaker has a fantastic design, excellent sound and amazing 24-hour battery life. Its biggest drawback is slightly hefty size, shape, and distortions at maximum volume, although it’s still worth the price.
View on Amazon: JBL Boombox 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
View on Amazon: JBL Xtreme 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Depending on your needs, the Xtreme 3 fits those who are up to portability, compact size, and lightweight of a Bluetooth speaker with an advantage of taking it anywhere. Its impressive battery life will allow you to listen to music for about 8 to 9 hours in a row, but consider that it’s totally on you: the louder you are, the more power it consumes.
If any time you’ll need a cell phone to be charged, it has a USB-C port to do that, so the Xtreme 3 possesses a powerbank feature. A great addition to the previous option is the JBL Partyboost, that allows to link multiple speakers with the same feature.
In case your needs are more broad, and you want to get a speaker with a really great sound profile, huge volumes, better bass output, but also portable enough, go get the Boombox 2. This model is a real number one that takes over the Xtreme 3.
The JBL Xtreme 3 vs Boombox 2: Comparison Chart
Name | JBL Xtreme 3 | JBL Boombox 2 |
SOUND QUALITY | ||
Frequency response range | 53.5 Hz – 20 kHz | 50 Hz – 20 kHz |
Output Power | 2x25 W RMS woofer + 2x25 W RMS tweeter | 2x40 W RMS woofer + 2x40 W RMS tweeter |
Maximum playing time (hrs) | 15 | 24 |
BUILD QUALITY | ||
Waterproof & Dustproof | IP67 | IP67 |
BATTERY | ||
Battery Life | 15 hrs | 24 hrs |
Charge Time | 2.5 hrs | 6.5 hrs |
Power Saving | ||
Charging Port | ||
Battery Type | Li-ion polymer 36.3Wh | Li-ion polymer 72.6Wh |
VOICE ASSISTANT | ||
Alexa | ||
Google Assistant | ||
Siri | ||
Voice Activation | ||
APP | ||
App Name | JBL Portable | JBL Portable |
iOS | ||
Android | ||
JBL PartyBoost | ||
EQ | Graphic | Graphic |
Stereo Pair Mode | ||
Party Mode | ||
BLUETOOTH | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
Bluetooth Profiles | A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6 | A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6 |
Bluetooth Frequency | 2400 MHz - 2483.5 MHz | 2.402 – 2.480GHz |
Bluetooth Transmitted modulation | GFSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK | GFSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSK |
Bluetooth Transmitting Power | <12 dBm | <10 dBm |
PORTABILITY | ||
Dimensions (cm) | 29.8 x 13.6 x 13.4 (cm) | 48.5 x 20.1 x 25.7 (cm) |
Dimensions (in) | 11.75 x 5.35 x 5.28 | 19.1 x 7.9 x 10.1 |
Weight (kgs) | 1.97 (kgs) | 5.9 (kgs) |
Weight (lbs) | 4.34 (lbs) | 13 (lbs) |
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Features Face to Face
Below some of the features, like sound quality, design and durability, battery capacity and connectivity with some other additional features will be compared. Read on to find more information.
Sound Quality
The Boombox 2 is a universal and reliable Bluetooth speaker that sounds incredibly excellent having outstanding audio profile. Its well-defined bass and drum are even greater than in its predecessor, which is meaningful especially in case of bass’ overwhelming intensity.
Nevertheless, you better take it for an outdoor event rather than for an indoor listening. The user can enhance its power output with a customizable EQ to find sounding that covers audience preferences. It’s a perfect beach speaker, which will show off the audio profile while on.
As for the devices’ structure, they have dual front tweeters and dual front woofers, which powerfully deliver high and mid/low frequency tunes. They also have same dual passive radiators to make this output even stronger and more steady.
Cornering these gadgets means that sound fills the whole space with its maximum booming bass. However, be cautious in case you want to replace the speakers, they will change bass reproduction as their exhaust ports are at the front part. We mean that overall both of them are great in sounding with an output power 80 watts for the Boombox 2 and 50 watts for the Xtreme 3. The thing is that the last one is characterized by more straight audio profile than the first speaker. Nonetheless, the musical instruments are robust and clear in the Boombox 2.
First place takes the Boombox 2 for the Sound Quality.
Design and Durability
The main difference between these speakers is the dimensions. The Boombox 2 is twice bigger than the Xtreme 3. What’s an eye-catching is the weight that differs thrice! Again, the Boombox 2 is 13 lbs, whereas the Xtreme 3 is a bit more than 4 lbs.
For the sake of convenience, the Xtreme 3 has a handle which you can attach if needed. The Boombox 2’s name speaks for itself as it reminds us a classic stereo device with cassettes, so it has an embedded handle for better use.
They should also withstand sharp external factors being built out of high-quality fabric. Moreover, both speakers are water and dustproof, so whether the splashes of water or dirt got into, it shouldn’t cause an implication for an audio reproduction. So, the devices suit even for extreme environmental conditions.
First place takes the Boombox 2 for the Design and Durability.
Colors
Both speakers are available in black, blue and camouflage colors.
The JBL Xtreme 3
The JBL Boombox 2
Portability
The Xtreme 3 is portable enough to be taken outdoor over your shoulder as it has a carrying strap to free hands from it. You can take any other items instead, like camping stuff, food and drinks when going to the shore or park. What’s more, the jar opener is also incorporated into a strap.
The Boombox 2 is much heavier and larger, making it less portable, yet it has a built-in handle to increase its mobility. It was designed that way to extend an area for a grip and make it less slippery and more rough, so a speaker doesn’t fall down.
First place takes the Xtreme 3 for the Portability.
Battery Life
The Boombox 2 battery life is about 24 hours as manufacturers mention, however, after testing it showed 16-17 hours of non-stop work. In case of a low battery, you’ll need to charge it for 6.5 hours, which creates some inconveniences making you wait for a long time. Still, the size and abilities of a battery are impressive.
The Xtreme 3 battery life appeared to be prolonged than expected. The producers say it can play music for 15 hours, while during testing we figured this time is 18-19 hours. So, it’s great for an outdoor adventure. The recharge time is an average and requires 2.5 hours only. There’s also nice option as a USB-C which allows you to power a cell phone in case far away from home.
First place takes the Xtreme 3 for the Battery Life.
Connectivity
Many manufacturers have eliminated an auxiliary port, luckily it stayed with the Xtreme 3. You can plug in 3.5 mm cable and link to whatever device you’d like, using the wired cable and stream from it not utilizing a Bluetooth.
It also allows a multiconnection, being able to link two speakers, but take into account that if you want to have more, you should connect to one speaker and the next later. By making a multi-room feature with a PartyBoost, you’ll create an incredible atmosphere of tunes sounding.
The Boombox 2 has the same Bluetooth version 5.1, however, its Bluetooth transmitter power is less than in the Xtreme 3. This speaker can wirelessly be connected to another one by a PartyBoost feature, but it won’t be linked to its predecessor as it had only JBL Connect+, which is no longer present in the current version.
Unfortunately, it lacks a software, so you can’t adjust music with graphic EQ. You won’t find a mic as well due to its size as it’s a normal thing for this kind of speakers.
First place takes the Xtreme 3 for the Connectivity.
Uses
The Boombox 2 is ideally an excellent option for beaches and any outdoor parties as you’ll hear music clear and loud even if some external factors interfere with it. In case rain caught off your guard, no worries, it has a water-repelled feature.
The Xtreme 3 is great for both indoors and outdoors. It’s portable, compact, doesn’t distort sound, pretty loud and has protective features as well. So, all friends and guests will be amazed by how music is reproduced by this speaker. In addition, they will be able to power their devices in case of a low battery.
Which Is Better?
Despite the Xtreme 3 winning in many categories, overall, in the clash of the JBL Xtreme 3 vs Boombox 2, we can sum up that the Boombox 2 prevails in one major kind – sound quality. Its soundstage, audio profile, and bass output are simply greater than in the Xtreme 3. Plus, the battery has much more power. Meanwhile, the Xtreme 3 is small in size and weight, it produces ordinary sound. Yet you’ll need less time to recharge it.
View on Amazon: JBL Xtreme 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
View on Amazon: JBL Boombox 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
