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So if you’re looking for a large portable bluetooth speaker either so that you can listen to some music during this quarantine or for summer 2020… JBL is a very popular brand to choose from especially cause they have a lot of speakers to choose from. But today we’re going to compare the JBL Xtreme 2 to the JBL Boombox 2. Now obviously since the Boombox 2 is way larger its going to get louder than the Xtreme 2, but there are still some key differences between these two speakers that you should definitely know before you pick either of these speakers up.
Now first off there’s price… the Xtreme 2 retails for $350 where as the Boombox 2 retails for $500. Thats a hundred and fifty dollar price difference which is pretty significant if you ask me. But also keep in mind, the original Boombox is typically on sale these days for $400. SOOOOO if you want to pick any of these speakers up they’ll be linked down below. And if you want to learn more about either of these speakers please watch their full reviews cause we’re only going to be going over their main differences.
So from a design standpoint, both of these speakers have the same principles. Those both have those signature exposed passive radiators on either side, they both have fabric covered bodies so they can stand up to constant bumps and scraps, they both have their control buttons up top and they’re both IPX7 water proof. So if either of these speakers get wet they’ll be perfectly fine. Now chances are that if you’re looking into getting a portable bluetooth speaker like this you want the freedom of being able to easily move your speaker around the house or take it on the go with you. Now the boombox 2 has that built in carrying handle which is iconic at this point. Where as the Xtreme 2 has a shoulder strap which I also think is iconic at this point. But hands down it is much easier and less of a hassle to transport the Xtreme 2 than the Boombox 2. Now obviously since the Xtreme 2 is significantly smaller than the Boombox 2 its also lighter weighing in at 5.3 pounds, where as the Boombox 2 weighs in at 13 pounds. But also that shoulder strap just makes carrying this speaker much easier. Even though carrying the Boombox 2 is easy… I do wish that it also had a shoulder strap sometimes. And also the Xtreme 2’s shoulder has the built in bottle opener which has come in clutch for me on multiple occasions. So size wise… if you plan on constantly taking either of these speakers on the go with you then you are better off with the Xtreme 2… where as you’re better off with the Boombox 2 if you only plan on occasionally taking it on the go with you.
Now when it comes to tech specs, the boombox 2 is using bluetooth 5.1 where as the Xtreme 2 is using bluetooth 4.2. ultimately this doesn’t really matter cause both of these speakers can be connected to 2 devices at the same time, they’re both strictly only using SBC, and they both have a slight latency across the board whenever you try watching movies or videos on phone whether you’re using an iPhone or an android device.
Now regarding ports, these speakers also have the same set ups. Both of these speakers have an audio jack and both of these speakers have a USB A out port so that you can charge your own devices. But like I said in the full review, I do wish the Boombox 2 came included with a USB C port as well cause a lot of phones these days are starting to come included with USB C cables.
And then when it comes to battery life… the Boombox 2 has an advertised battery life of 24 hours where as the Xtreme 2 has an adverted battery life of 15 hours. But those numbers are for when you use these speakers as 50% volume. Real world use with both of these speakers set at 80% volume ive found the Boombox 2 is good for around 7 hours of playback time where as the Xtreme 2 is good for around 9 hours of playback time. So both of these speaker can definitely last you a full day of high volume listening.
But now lets talk about what really matters and thats sound. Both of these speakers have very similar set ups. The Boombox 2 has dual 4 inch woofers and dual 20 millimeter tweeters which is about .8 inches, and you’ve got those signature dual exposed passive radiators shooting out the sides… Now the Xtreme 2 has the same set up but smaller. Its dual woofers are 2.75 inches but it has the same 20 millimeter tweeters. And again you’ve go those exposed passive radiators but since they’re significantly smaller they won’t be pushing around as much air. But whats really important to keep in mind here is that obviously the Boombox 2 is going to get louder and have more bass than the Xtreme 2… so for that reason in this sound test we’re going to be comparing both of these speakers when they’re set to their max volume cause I feel thats what most people are curious about. And also im going to be throwing in the original boombox for people who might still be interested in picking that speaker up.
So first off lets talk about sound signatures cause they are a little different between the Xtreme 2 and Boombox 2. Even though both of these speakers put a slight emphasis on the mids, the Boombox 2 also puts significantly more of an emphasis on the the highs than the Xtreme 2 does. Personally Im not the biggest fan of that cause to me the Boombox 2 can get ear piercing at high volumes. Where as thats not the case with the Xtreme 2. Now from a performance standpoint having the Xtreme 2 set to max volume is like having the Boombox 2 set to 80% volume. But something that you can do with both of these speakers to get a little more out of them is to use them while they’re plugged in. And when you plug both of these speakers in they get a little louder and they push out a little more bass. Now the Xtreme 2 does a decent job of keeping up with the Boombox 2 when it comes to loudness but the biggest differentiating factor between these two speakers performance wise is the bass.
So obviously if you’re looking for the loudest speaker here and you want to most bass and you’re willing to pay for it then the Boombox 2 is the way to go. But another major differentiating factor between these two speakers are their pairing protocols… the boombox 2 is using JBL’s new party boost which means you can either pair the boombox 2 to another boombox 2 or to a flip 5 or to a pulse 4 cause their also party boost speakers.
Where as the Xtreme 2 is using JBL Connect plus so it can only be paired up to other JBL Connect plus speakers like the original boombox, another Xtreme 2, a charge 3, charge 4, flip 4, or pulse 3. But unfortunately you can not pair a Connect Plus speaker to a Partyboost speaker.
Now I know that this sucks and it does feel like planned obsolesces but I have have that party boost does perform a little better than JBL connect Plus. Specifically you get better range in between speakers. So if you plan on getting more JBL speakers in the future then the smart investment today is going with the Partyboost speaker… but if you’re looking for a single speaker and you want to save some money you’ll be alright picking up a JBL connect plus speaker.
But over all, when it comes to choosing between either of these two speakers if you’re looking for an ultra portable bluetooth speaker to constantly take on the go with you than I really do feel you’re better off with the Xtreme 2. Since its just smaller, lighter, and since it has that shoulder strap its just easier to move around with it. Where as the Boombox 2 can sometimes get annoying when you carry it around. And when it comes to sound the Xtreme 2 gets more than loud enough to fill a large room and it also gets plenty loud for when you use it outdoors. The only thing thats kind of holding it back is that some people might consider it a last get speaker cause it has JBL connect Plus so its not compatible with newer JBL speakers. But besides that I still have no problem recommending the Xtreme 2 these days. Where as with the Boombox 2 I would actually argue that if you don’t already have any JBL Partyboost speakers or if you just want a single speaker and want to save yourself some money… I say pick your self up the original JBL Boombox cause the Boombox 2 only sounds marginally better. But if you already have Partyboost speakers or if you plan on getting more JBL speakers in the future then the smarter investment today would be to go with the JBL Boombox 2.