Is the JBL Charge 4 louder than the Xtreme?

Well, if you’re a fan of the JBL speakers you clearly need to clarify who wins the battle of JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Xtreme 2. Yes, both of their predecessors were great, but we have new sheriffs in town. Today, we will review their significant components such as designs, features, performances and etc. So, hold tight, put your seatbelt on and let’s do it.

Contents

JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Xtreme 2: Review

Before we go deeper, everyone should know that these two are extremely excellent speakers, probably one of the great portable devices on the market. They both produce high-quality audio and have beautiful, remarkable designs. But still, there are a couple of key things that might require extra attention from the future user-to-be. In order to give you heads up on what we’re dealing with, here’s the comparison chart of JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Xtreme 2 which highlights their advantages and disadvantages.

Comparison Chart

JBL Charge 4

JBL Xtreme 2

220 x 95 x 93 mm

288 x 132 x 136 mm

0.965 kg

2.393 kg

10

5

–

Yes

IPX7 Certified

IPX7 Certified

20 Hours

15 Hours

7500 mAh

10000 mAh

Yes

Yes

60Hz – 20kHz

55Hz – 20kHz

>80dB

>80dB

Connect+

Connect+

V4.2

V4.2

Yes

Yes

–

Yes

–

Yes

1. Design

These JBL portable speakers have different sizes. JBL Xtreme 2 is bigger and heavier than Charge 4, but it’s not what you might think – carrying it isn’t uncomfortable, in fact, it’s very easy – especially with the strap. JBL Xtreme 2 only comes in 5 colors: Black, Blue, Forrest Green, Red & Camouflage, while there’s a big variety of colors in Charge 4’s case: Black, Gray, Pink, Teal, Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, Sand, White, White Camouflage & Standard Camouflage. So, 12 colors – a choice is yours, no matter what color you might like, Charge 4’s visual is amazing.

Both speakers are IPX7 certified, which means they can withstand water for 30 minutes (1 meter). It’s cool to have waterproof speakers, you know the summer days, swimming pools – anything can happen. Besides, JBL won’t be one of the best on the market if its products can’t compete with others. The point is that nowadays best speakers – they are all waterproof. Also, Charge 4 and Xtreme 2 have a rugged surface so that if you accidentally drop it in the street or outdoors, you don’t have to worry about it, because they’re both totally shockproof.

Of course, a design is always a matter of personal preferences but honestly, Xtreme 2 is still better looking than Charge 4. For some, it might be more useful to have a smaller speaker, but considering that Xtreme 2 isn’t that hard to carry around and bigger speaker means louder sound, it’s smarter to go with the big fella in this case.

2. Features

JBL downgraded Charge 4 with Voice Assistant Integration and Speakerphone features. But you can still meet them if you’re using Xtreme 2. It’s quite strange that Charge 3 had those abilities and now its successor can’t even do that. Still, this situation gives the edge to Xtreme 2 in this JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Xtreme 2 review.

Fortunately, Charge 4 is equipped with newer, 7500 mAh battery power compared to Charge 3’s 6000 mAh BP. But still, it’s nowhere near Xtreme 2’s battery capacity – 10K mAh. Don’t get your hopes high yet – Charge 4 has a 20 hours playtime, while its competitor only can play for 15 hours. Of course, Charge 4 also has the ability to charge the phone while playing some music. Bigger battery life is a major advantage for Charge 4 so, keep that in mind. 

If you’re feeling comfortable to charge your speaker with USB-C port then you should welcome Charge 4 with your both arms opened. Unfortunately, you can’t give the same welcome to Xtreme 2 because it only uses an AC adapter with a power brick. Buttons alignments are a little bit different on the surface of these two, but they have exactly the same buttons – Play/Pause, Power, Bluetooth, Connect+, Volume Up & Down. And they both have classic 3.5 mm input so no worries there.

JBL Charge 4 and JBL Xtreme 2 both use Connect+ feature. You can pair them with other JBL speakers which also use Connect+, but be aware that you can’t do the same with old speakers which still have Connect feature. Just press the buttons on the speaker and you’re ready to go. So, we also have to say a couple of words about the JBL App – it’s useless. No great design, no amazing features, not even showing the battery percentage, so just forget about it. It’s sad that in the software area JBL is nowhere near the UE. Just like we highlighted in JBL Charge 3 vs UE Megaboom 3 review – UE focuses on one app – Boom which can be used for previous generations of Boom and Megaboom speakers, as well as for the current ones.

It’s not easy to decide which one of these speakers have better features. They both cover the basics, but Xtreme 2 additionally provides Voice Assistant Integration & Speakerphone features. In return, Charge 4 has bigger battery life. For the record, you can still perform VA and SpeakerPhone with your smartphone, so don’t pass on Charge 4’s bigger battery power just because of them.

3. Audio Performance

One can argue about which one is the better when comparing JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Xtreme 2 in design & features categories, but when it comes to the Audio Performance we have a clear winner. Yeap, you guessed it – here Xtreme 2 blows the Charge 4 out. 

Let’s start with output powers: while Charge 4 can only deliver 30W, Xtreme 2 can provide 20W (2x). So indoors or outdoors Xtreme 2 still sounds louder. The frequency response of Charge 4 is between 60Hz – 20kHz, but Xtreme 2 can go even lower – 55Hz. The sound quality of both speakers are amazing and truth has to be said – you’ll feel a little distortion on high volumes.

Music sounds neater on both portable speakers. Compared to UE Megaboom 3 – Charge 4 almost sounds like it, but Xtreme 2 is definitely louder than Megaboom 3. But unlike UE’s products, Charge 4 and Xtreme 2 have a frontal audio delivering system, not spinal – 360 degrees. They also operate on Bluetooth V4.2 which regulates more sync and less latency between the speakers and your device. 

So, just like we mentioned in the beginning – having the bigger portable speaker has its own advantages. Not than Charge 4 sounds any less neat and crisper, but Xtreme 2 is also louder and that’s why it’s the winner. Pitting these two against each other outdoors is completely inappropriate – Xtreme 2 will win every single time. So, if you’re planning lot’s of trips and adventures in the future, you need to go with Xtreme 2.

JBL Xtreme 2 vs JBL Charge 4: Verdict

So, to summarize JBL Charge 4 vs JBL Xtreme 2 comparison – they are both brilliant, beautiful and durable speakers, which have amazing playtime features and also produce awesome quality audio. Picking either of them will make you happy. But of course, there are differences between them so that each of the speakers has its own advantages and now, we’re going to announce the winner.

In overall, JBL Xtreme 2 is the superior speaker. It has a remarkable design, produces louder music and also has Speakerphone and Voice Assistant Integration features. 15 Hours of playtime is absolutely enough, if you’re not planning to play the speaker all the time.

• Design

• Features

• Audio Performance

• Sound Quality

• Battery Life

4.6

Summary

JBL Charge 4 and JBL Xtreme 2 are fascinating and remarkable speakers. They have amazing visual appearances, as well as delivering sound quality. They’re definitely one of the best speakers you can find on the market today.

Of course, there’s a one more important issue – a cost difference between them. The truth is that Xtreme 2 is almost two times expensive than Charge 4. As you can see these two have many things in common, but the thing that truly distinguishes one from another is the audio performance. And the only way you’ll go with Xtreme 2 is if you want to have a louder speaker which also has deeper bass and will never let you down outdoors. If that’s not the case for you, pick Charge 4 and don’t think twice.

So, it all comes down to this – if the cost isn’t an object without any kind of discussion – Xtreme 2 wins this comparison. But if you’re budget sensitive at this point – Charge 4 will be a great choice for you, as well.

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