JBL Xtreme Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Review

Ranked #1 in Bluetooth Speakers

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4.8/5

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Pros

• Stunning audio quality
• Amazing bass
• Water-resistant
• Good battery life
• Phone call support
• Connects up to 3 devices at once

Cons

• A tad heavy
• High-end can be a little sharp

Many people nowadays choose to purchase Bluetooth speakers instead of wired ones, for obvious reasons. When you’re shopping around for such a product, you’re probably wondering: “Which should I get?” That’s a tough question to answer sometimes. If you’re still at a loss in this respect, maybe checking out the JBL Xtreme Speaker would help.

The JBL Xtreme is one of those speakers you’re tempted to buy in bulk just to be sure you’ve got an endless supply. With pristine audio quality and long battery life, you're all set with this unit.

JBL has built some fantastic speakers throughout the years, but the Xtreme Speaker is their crowning achievement. It simply leaves little to no room for further improvement.

Introducing the JBL Xtreme Speaker

What you should not forget if you purchase this speaker is that you cannot submerge it. If you want to be able to do that, you might want to buy a waterproof speaker, not a water-resistant one.

In terms of features, the JBL is certainly “Xtreme”. This actually has 2 subwoofers, 63 mm each. That’s more than enough for a portable speaker. It also has 2 tweeters of 35 mm each. If you love to listen to your music loudly, then this speaker will do the trick.

This is somewhat heavier than we expected (weighing 2 kilos and 112 grams), but that’s just a consequence of the fact that it’s a sizeable speaker (126 x 283 x 122 mm). You’ll discover that it has a huge bass based on 2 passive radiators. Most of the JBL speakers – if not all – have this kind of radiators.

Recharging it is a breeze, as all you have to do is simply plug the USB in. Depending on the volume you play your music at, a full recharge can provide half a day of playing, and that’s the minimum.

Some features you’ll find interesting

• The battery is Lithium-ion Polymer, which makes it extremely qualitative
• The signal-to-noise ratio is 80 decibels which is very great for a speaker this size
• The speakerphone is endowed with a feature that cancels echo and noise
• You can connect it with other JBL Xtreme Speakers to get a party going

That Quick Start Guide will come in handy if you’ve never operated a similar wireless speaker before. It’s got all the information you need in order to make the most out of your purchase.

The warranty allows you to have it repaired should it malfunction within the specified term or get to you with shipping-related defects.

Sleek Design & Durable Built Quality

The JBL Xtreme Speaker looks fabulous, to say the least. It’s nicely clothed in a mesh-like fabric cover that gives it a plus of style. The buttons are right on the top, within easy reach and the two dints at both ends are meant for a strap.

The strap that comes in the box is for the shoulder; if you want a hand-strap, you’ll have to buy it yourself.

As long as you don’t drop it in water, this speaker can last you a few years without an issue. The body of the speaker is made of a durable rugged rubber that isn’t prone to get scratched. All things considered, this is one of the most beautiful portable speakers that JBL has ever made.

If you’ve done some minimal research on the Internet, you will have seen that many speakers are either too big or too small and usually have an unpleasant design. If you care in the least for the looks of a speaker, you will come to appreciate this as much as we do.

Brilliant Audio Quality with lots of Punch

Passive radiators are ideal for a clean, powerful bass. It goes without saying that the Xtreme Speaker has those radiators. Due to its size, you can expect this speaker to go really loud. No matter how loudly you play your music, though, the sound won’t lose any of its quality.

If you have any sound-related issues like, for instance, the bass is too powerful for what you’re listening to, you can easily solve them with an equalizer in as little as 10 minutes. Thanks to the fact that it’s water-resistant, you can enjoy your favorite music at the beach.

When it comes to the quality of the sound, there is nothing negative to say about this speaker. If you listen to music at a medium level, you can get 15 hours of playing on a single charge. At a high level, the battery will last 5-6 hours at best, but that’s not bad either.

Lots of Options, A Variety of Uses

Once you’ve installed the JBL Connect + app on your device (be it PC, smartphone or tablet), all you have to do in order to pair it with the speaker is hit that Bluetooth symbol on the far left of the row with the buttons.

You can pair a device with 2 JBL Xtreme Speakers for an enhanced listening experience. No matter how annoying it can be sometimes, you should always update the app whenever it prompts you to do so.

If you don’t, you might not get 100% out of your speaker. The speakerphone doesn’t require any individual installation; you can answer your phone calls with just the press of a button. The voice of the caller will be Xtremely clear, as the speakerphone will remove the echo and other unwanted noises.

The Price vs. Quality Ratio

If you’ve ever owned a JBL speaker before, you know that the manufacturer doesn’t make any compromises when it comes to the craftsmanship and dedication it pours into its products. The JBL Xtreme Speaker is a state-of-the-art portable speaker that won’t let you down.

If we put all its features on one side and the price on another one, it is clear to anybody that the price (approx. $200) is totally justified. We recommend you to look at other brands of speakers that are sold for the same sum. You will see that they’re nowhere near as proficient as the Xtreme.

The rugged cover makes it almost indestructible; therefore, your investment will return some unprecedented quality and durability. What can we say? This is worth every dollar and the thousands of pleased customers will subscribe to our claim for sure.

Pros & Cons

We’ve noted down some of the main attributes to watch for when considering the JBL Xtreme. Hopefully, this lets you make your mind up.

Pros

• Deep bass that doesn’t distort the treble
• It connects 3 devices at the same time
• The speaker is water-resistant (not fully waterproof, though)
• It can be used for almost 15 hours with a charge
• The device allows you to take calls
• It offers crystal-clear sound

Cons

• The battery lasts 15 hours only if the music is not played at a high volume
• It’s a tad heavy

The Bottom Line – Is It Worth It?

Finding a good wireless speaker is, for the most part, a hit-or-miss type of situation. There are many things you must take into consideration before you hit the “Order” button.

While we do not compel anyone to purchase this, we’ll only tell you that it’s not very likely that you can find a better product for the money. It’s got everything a speaker has in order to allow you to listen to your music loudly and clearly.

One minor drawback would be the fact that it’s water-resistant instead of waterproof, but that’s something all of us can live with. Apart from that, the JBL Xtreme is as great as a speaker can get. Subsequently, we recommend it to anybody wholeheartedly.

Haven’t made your mind up yet? Head over to our buying guide covering the best wireless Bluetooth speakers and get educated on the topic.

Product Specifications

Audio Quality	A+
Built Quality	A+
Bass	A+
Battery Life	Up to 15 hours
Waterproof	Splash-proof
Max Connections	3
Audio Output Power	40 Watt
Phone Calls
Signal-To-Noise Ratio	80 dB
Frequency Range	70 - 20000 Hz
Weight	4.65 lbs