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JBL Xtreme 4 Speaker Review: 27.2 Hours of Epic Sound

Qaisar Abbas

December 26, 2024

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The JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a powerful, portable Bluetooth speaker for outdoor use and parties. It offers premium sound quality, excellent durability, and a long-lasting battery. Its rugged build and impressive bass make it a great choice for anyone looking for a speaker that can handle adventure while delivering high-quality sound. In this review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about The JBL Xtreme 4, from its features to its pros and cons.

Quick Highlights

• Powerful bass with JBL Pro Sound
• IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating
• 2-hour battery life
• Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
• JBL Party Boost for linking multiple JBL speakers

Release Date

The JBL Xtreme 4 was released on May 19th, 2024 as the latest model in JBL’s Xtreme line. Compared to its predecessor, it improved sound quality, durability, and battery life.

JBL Xtreme 4 Unboxing

The JBL Xtreme 4 comes in a sturdy box with the following contents:

• JBL Xtreme 4 speaker
• Power adapter
• Carrying strap
• Quick start guide
• Warranty card

Quick Specs: JBL Xtreme 4

• Dimensions: 297 x 141 x 149 mm
• Weight: 7 lbs. (2.1 kg)
• Battery life: 27.2 hours
• Bluetooth version: 5.1
• Waterproof rating: IP67
• Power output: 80W

See Full Specifications

Design and Display

The JBL Xtreme 4 has a rugged, cylindrical design with a durable fabric covering and rubber ends for extra protection. It’s slightly larger than previous models but remains portable, thanks to the built-in carrying strap. There’s no display, but it has LED indicators for battery life and connectivity status.

JBL Xtreme 4 Controls

Control buttons are located on the top of the speaker, including power, Bluetooth, volume, and a multi-function button for controlling music playback and phone calls. The buttons are easy to use and tactile, perfect for outdoor environments.

Differences Between Sizes and Variants

The JBL Xtreme 4 comes in one size, but it offers different variants based on colors. While there is no smaller or larger size variant for the Xtreme series, you can explore other JBL speaker models like the Charge or Flip series if you prefer different size options.

JBL Xtreme 4 Colors

The JBL Xtreme 4 is available in several colors, including:

• Black
• Blue
• Camouflage

Features

• Waterproof and Dustproof

The JBL Xtreme 4 has an IP67 rating, making it waterproof and dustproof. You can take it to the beach, pool, or hiking trails without worrying about water or dust damage.

• Sound Quality

With JBL Pro Sound and dual bass radiators, the Xtreme 4 delivers powerful, deep bass and clear mids and highs. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying music outdoors, the sound is rich and immersive.

• Connectivity

It uses Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring a strong and stable connection with your devices. You can connect up to two smartphones or tablets at once, allowing you and a friend to take turns playing music.

• JBL Xtreme 4 Battery Life

The speaker boasts 27.2 hours of playtime on a single charge, making it ideal for day-long adventures. It also supports USB-C charging, so it powers up quickly.

• JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker App

The JBL app allows you to update the speaker’s firmware, control audio settings, and connect it with other JBL speakers via Party Boost to create a stereo sound setup or a larger party sound system.

Price and Availability

The JBL Xtreme 4 is priced around $299 and is available on JBL’s official website and major online and retail stores like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

Comparison: JBL Xtreme 4 vs. JBL Xtreme 3

The JBL Xtreme 4 brings several notable upgrades over its predecessor, the JBL Xtreme 3, making it a better choice for those seeking superior performance. While both models offer powerful sound, the Xtreme 4 features improved JBL Pro Sound with dual bass radiators, delivering richer and deeper bass compared to the Xtreme 3. Furthermore, the Xtreme 4 has a better IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, making it more durable for outdoor adventures like beach trips or hikes.

The battery life of the Xtreme 4 is also significantly enhanced, offering 27.2 hours of continuous playback, while the Xtreme 3 provides less playtime. Both speakers feature Bluetooth connectivity, but the Xtreme 4 upgrades to Bluetooth 5.1, ensuring a more stable connection and the ability to connect two devices simultaneously. Additionally, the Party Boost feature on the Xtreme 4 allows users to link multiple JBL speakers for a bigger sound, which is missing in the Xtreme 3.

Key Features Comparison

• Sound Quality: Xtreme 4 offers JBL Pro Sound with dual bass radiators, improving bass and clarity.
• Waterproof/Dustproof: Both models are IP67-rated, but the Xtreme 4 excels in durability.
• Battery Life: Xtreme 4 offers 27.2 hours of playtime, surpassing the Xtreme 3’s shorter battery life.
• Connectivity: The Xtreme 4 comes with Bluetooth 5.1, while the Xtreme 3 has an earlier version, affecting performance.

JBL Xtreme 4 vs. JBL Xtreme 3: Comprehensive Comparison

The JBL Xtreme 4 and JBL Xtreme 3 are both powerful, durable portable Bluetooth speakers designed for outdoor use and lively parties. However, the Xtreme 4 brings several significant upgrades that make it the superior choice for those looking for top-notch sound quality, longer battery life, and more robust features. Below is a detailed comparison between the two models, highlighting their differences and helping you decide which one best suits your needs.

1. Sound Quality

JBL Xtreme 4:
The Xtreme 4 offers JBL Pro Sound with dual bass radiators, which provide richer bass and clearer mids. This results in a more immersive and dynamic audio experience, perfect for outdoor environments where sound needs to be carried.

JBL Xtreme 3:
While the Xtreme 3 delivers impressive sound, it doesn’t feature the dual bass radiators of the Xtreme 4. As a result, the bass is slightly less punchy, and the sound isn’t as deep or clear.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 4 – With its enhanced bass and clarity, the Xtreme 4 delivers superior sound.

2. Durability

JBL Xtreme 4:
The Xtreme 4 comes with an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, meaning it’s fully protected from dust and can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. This makes it more versatile for various outdoor adventures like beach trips and hiking.

JBL Xtreme 3:
The Xtreme 3 has a slightly lower IPX7 rating, meaning it is waterproof but not dustproof. While it’s still excellent for most outdoor activities, it doesn’t offer the same level of protection as the Xtreme 4.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 4 – It has a more robust IP67 rating, offering better protection against both water and dust.

3. Battery Life

JBL Xtreme 4:
The Xtreme 4 boasts an impressive 27.2 hours of battery life on a single charge, allowing for all-day use, whether you’re at the beach or on a hike.

JBL Xtreme 3:
The Xtreme 3 provides about 15 hours of battery life, which is still decent but falls short compared to the Xtreme 4’s extended playtime.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 4 – With a significantly longer battery life, the Xtreme 4 is ideal for extended adventures.

4. Connectivity

JBL Xtreme 4:
The Xtreme 4 features Bluetooth 5.1, providing a more stable connection, faster pairing, and the ability to connect two devices simultaneously. This makes it easier to switch between music sources during a party or outdoor gathering.

JBL Xtreme 3:
The Xtreme 3 uses an older version of Bluetooth, which might be a bit less stable than the newer 5.1 version and cannot connect two devices at once.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 4 – With Bluetooth 5.1, the Xtreme 4 offers a more stable connection and dual-device connectivity.

5. Party Features

JBL Xtreme 4:
The Xtreme 4 comes with JBL PartyBoost, a feature that lets you link multiple JBL PartyBoost-compatible speakers to create a larger sound system. This is perfect for big parties or outdoor events where you need an amplified sound.

JBL Xtreme 3:
The Xtreme 3 lacks PartyBoost, so you can’t pair it with other JBL speakers for a bigger sound experience.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 4 – PartyBoost makes the Xtreme 4 the better option for large gatherings and amplified sound.

6. Design and Portability

JBL Xtreme 4:
The Xtreme 4 has a rugged, cylindrical design with durable fabric and rubber ends. It is slightly larger and heavier than the Xtreme 3 but still remains portable with a built-in carrying strap, making it easy to take on the go.

JBL Xtreme 3:
The Xtreme 3 has a similar design but is a bit more compact and lighter than the Xtreme 4. It’s still rugged and portable, but it doesn’t offer the same level of size and durability as the Xtreme 4.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 3 – Its slightly smaller size makes it more portable, though the Xtreme 4 is also still portable.

7. Price

JBL Xtreme 4:
The Xtreme 4 is priced around $299, reflecting its premium features, such as better sound quality, longer battery life, and additional connectivity features.

JBL Xtreme 3:
The Xtreme 3 is usually priced a bit lower than the Xtreme 4, typically around $249, making it more budget-friendly, but with fewer features compared to the Xtreme 4.

Winner: JBL Xtreme 3 – If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Xtreme 3 offers good value.

Which is the Better Choice?

When comparing the JBL Xtreme 4 to the JBL Xtreme 3, the Xtreme 4 clearly comes out ahead. It offers superior sound quality, better durability, longer battery life, and advanced Bluetooth connectivity. Additionally, the PartyBoost feature makes it ideal for larger events where multiple speakers are needed. While the Xtreme 3 is still a fantastic speaker, the Xtreme 4’s upgrades make it the better option for those seeking the ultimate outdoor Bluetooth speaker.

Overall Winner: JBL Xtreme 4 – For those who want top-tier sound, durability, and extra features, the Xtreme 4 is a clear choice.

See Full comparison

What’s good about JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker?

• Excellent sound quality
• IP67 rating for water and dust resistance
• Long-lasting battery
• Easy connectivity with Bluetooth 5.1

What’s not so good about JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker?

• Heavier than most portable speakers
• Higher price point

Should you buy the JBL Xtreme 4?

If you’re looking for a rugged, high-performance Bluetooth speaker with excellent sound quality and durability, the JBL Xtreme 4 is worth the investment. It’s ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, party hosts, or anyone who values premium audio in a portable format.

Conclusion