Hello, sound aficionado! If you’re on the hunt for a quality speaker, the JBL Xtreme 2 and JBL Charge 5 both offer impressive features that make them worthy contenders for your collection. Choosing between them can be challenging, as each excels in different areas – one with superior battery life and the other with a better bass response. Both are enticing in their own right. We’re here to dive deep into the specifics of the JBL Xtreme 2 and JBL Charge 5, helping you decide which one best suits your needs. Let’s dive in!
Today’s best JBL Xtreme 2 and JBL Charge 5 deals
| Feature | JBL Xtreme 2 | JBL Charge 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Portability | Less portable | Highly portable |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Sound Quality | Balanced sound | Crisp highs |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Voice Assistance | Available | – |
| AUX Input | Yes | – |
| Stereo Sound | Yes | Mono |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Price | Generally higher | Generally lower |
The Epic War: JBL Xtreme 2 vs JBL Charge 5
JBL, a renowned name in the audio industry, offers the Xtreme 2 and Charge 5, each designed to deliver a memorable sound experience. These speakers, however, differ in key aspects. The JBL Charge 5 stands out for its portability and deep bass performance, while the JBL Xtreme 2 is noted for its larger size, extended battery life, and balanced sound output. Let’s delve deeper to see which one leads the pack.
Portability:
Portability is a key factor in choosing a tech device, especially when you want to take your music anywhere. The JBL Charge 5 excels in this aspect, being significantly lighter and more compact than the JBL Xtreme 2. Weighing just 2.1 pounds, the Charge 5 is an ideal travel companion for a powerful Bluetooth speaker. In contrast, the JBL Xtreme 2 is almost double the weight at 5.27 pounds.
Size-wise, the JBL Xtreme 2 measures 11.375 x 5.375 x 5.25 inches, making it bulkier compared to the JBL Charge 5’s more manageable dimensions of 8.6875 x 3.8125 x 3.6875 inches. This difference clearly puts the JBL Charge 5 ahead in the portability race.
Battery life:
Moving to another crucial aspect, battery life, both JBL Xtreme 2 and JBL Charge 5 stand out with their long-lasting performance. The JBL Xtreme 2 impresses with a solid 15-hour battery life per charge, making it a reliable choice for extended listening sessions. However, the JBL Charge 5 takes it a step further, offering an impressive 20 hours of playtime on a full charge.
In essence, whether you’re planning a long journey or an all-night party, both speakers are up to the task. The JBL Xtreme 2 is a great pick for its commendable 15-hour battery life, while the JBL Charge 5 extends the fun even longer with its 20-hour capacity. If your adventures demand extended playtime, the JBL Charge 5’s longer battery life might just be what you need.
Click here to purchase the JBL Xtreme 2 on Amazon and start your adventure today!
Sound quality:
When it comes to the heart of a speaker – sound quality – both the JBL Xtreme 2 and JBL Charge 5 stand out, but in different ways. The JBL Xtreme 2 shines with a balanced and clear sound profile, boasting deeper bass thanks to its stereo speakers. This setup ensures an immersive audio experience with a rich midrange that brings vocals and tunes to life.
On the other hand, the JBL Charge 5, while slightly more limited in sound diversity, impresses with its volume and clarity. Its mono speaker setup is surprisingly powerful, capable of filling your space with quality sound, even outdoors.
Choosing between these two depends on your needs. If a rich, immersive sound experience is your priority, the JBL Xtreme 2 is the way to go. However, for those who value versatility and the ease of portability, the JBL Charge 5 is a strong contender, especially with its party boost feature that’s perfect for larger gatherings.
Bluetooth Connections:
Both the JBL Charge 5 and JBL Xtreme 2 come equipped with Bluetooth functionality, essential for modern speakers. The JBL Charge 5 exclusively uses Bluetooth connectivity, foregoing any wired connections. It stands out with its advanced Bluetooth 5.1 version, offering enhanced performance and range compared to earlier Bluetooth versions.
Meanwhile, the JBL Xtreme 2 features Bluetooth 4.2, which, while effective, doesn’t match the extended range and stability of the Charge 5’s Bluetooth 5.1. This makes the JBL Charge 5 a more reliable choice for maintaining stable connections over longer distances, perfect for outdoor adventures or moving around the house.
Water resistance:
Water and dust resistance are crucial for a speaker’s durability, especially for outdoor use. The JBL Charge 5 excels with its IP67 rating, ensuring it can withstand both dust and water immersion up to one meter for about 30 minutes. This makes it a robust companion for beach trips or dusty environments.
In contrast, the JBL Xtreme 2 comes with an IPX7 rating, offering similar water immersion protection but lacking dust resistance. While it’s still a strong contender for water-related activities, its lack of dust protection is a point to consider.
If your priority is a speaker that can handle both water and dust challenges, the JBL Charge 5 is the more suitable choice. However, for water resistance alone, the JBL Xtreme 2 also holds its ground effectively.
Voice Assistance:
Voice assistant integration in speakers adds a layer of convenience, allowing you to control them effortlessly with voice commands. The JBL Charge 5 stands out in this regard, equipped with a robust voice assistant feature. Its built-in microphones enable easy access to Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Siri. Simply press the voice assistant button on the speaker to activate this feature, enabling hands-free control for various tasks like making calls or setting alarms.
In contrast, the JBL Xtreme 2 does not support built-in voice assistants due to the absence of integrated microphones. However, it can still be used with external devices that have voice assistant capabilities, such as smartphones or tablets, offering a workaround for voice control.
Other features:
Before making a purchase decision, consider these additional features of the JBL Xtreme 2 and JBL Charge 5. The JBL Xtreme 2 offers AUX input for those who prefer wired connections alongside Bluetooth. This feature is absent in the JBL Charge 5, which relies solely on Bluetooth.
A notable feature of both speakers is their ability to double as power banks, a handy tool for charging devices during long trips. The JBL Xtreme 2 is equipped with dual stereo speakers, providing a rich sound experience, whereas the JBL Charge 5 features mono speakers.
Both models can wirelessly connect to additional speakers, enhancing sound output for larger spaces. They also come with a graphic equalizer function, allowing you to tailor the audio to your preferences, adjusting treble, bass, and other tones. If you’re looking for more options, you might also want to explore the best budget Bluetooth speakers.
Price-wise, the JBL Xtreme 2 is slightly more expensive than the JBL Charge 5, reflecting its additional features.
User Opinions on JBL Xtreme 2 vs. Charge 5
When it comes to choosing between the JBL Xtreme 2 and the Charge 5, users have varied opinions based on their personal preferences and experiences. Here’s a compilation of some of the most notable comments from different platforms:
- Sound Quality & Performance:
- Many users prefer the Xtreme 2 for its balanced sound, stereo output, deeper bass, and louder volume. One user mentioned that the Xtreme 2 is especially suitable for those who enjoy instrumental and rock music due to its stereo sound.
- On the other hand, some users find the bass on the Charge 5 to be superior, with one user noting that it sounds better than the Xtreme 3. However, another user pointed out that the Charge 5 is a mono speaker, which might be a drawback for some.
- A user who owns both speakers mentioned that the Xtreme 2 gets much louder and has a notably deeper bass, while the Charge 5 is more portable and emphasizes the highs.
- Portability & Design:
- The Charge 5 is praised for its portability, with some users noting its smaller size as an advantage. However, the Xtreme 2 also has its fans due to its carry strap, making it relatively portable despite its larger size.
- Connectivity & Features:
- Users highlighted the difference in connectivity ecosystems between the two speakers. The Xtreme 2 uses the “connect+” system, while the Charge 5 uses the “partyboost” system, which is not backward compatible.
- One user pointed out the advantage of the Charge 5 having Bluetooth 5.1, offering a further range compared to the Xtreme 2’s Bluetooth 4.2.
- Overall Preference:
- While some users lean towards the Xtreme 2 for its overall sound output and stereo setup, others appreciate the Charge 5 for its portability and newer features. One user mentioned that the choice essentially boils down to how the speaker will be used.
Let’s wind up!
So folks, let’s end this tech ride here. It’s pretty tough to select a winner between these two incredibly powerful sonic titans – the JBL Xtreme 2 and JBL Charge 5. However, the final selection will exclusively depend on your needs, demands, budget, and tech knowledge. Ready to make a decision? Buy the JBL Xtreme 2 on Amazon now or click here to grab the JBL Charge 5. Rest assured, whichever speaker you choose, you’ll be proud of your purchase. Both bear the JBL trademark, a name that guarantees quality.
I’m Shaun Conroy, an audiophile & founder of HiFi Audios. Holding a Bachelor’s in Sound Engineering, I bring deep expertise in audio devices and offer insights & recommendations to fellow enthusiasts.
Wish I had seen this a few weeks ago when I bought a Charge 5. Very disappointed that it’s not stereo
I totally feel your frustration about missing out on the stereo feature with the Charge 5. It’s one of those details that can make a big difference depending on what you’re looking for in a speaker. The comparison between the JBL Xtreme 2 and Charge 5 can be a bit tricky, and each has its own unique features.
If you’re really unhappy with the Charge 5, you might want to look into the return policy where you bought it. Sometimes, they can be pretty understanding about these things. If not, the Charge 5 is still a solid speaker with great battery life and durability. It might grow on you!
Nice review except battery info has been mixed, c5 has 20h vs x2 15h. Would be great to correct it.