JBL Xtreme 4 speaker review: A powerful portable for parties

At a glance

Expert's Rating

Pros

• Plays both loud and well
• IP67 rated
• Multiple compatible devices can be linked (Partyboost/Auracast)
• Replaceable battery

Cons

• Relatively unwieldy as a travel speaker
• Price
• Not backward compatible with older JBL models (with Connect or Connect+)

Our Verdict

The JBL Xtreme 4 is an extremely competent portable Bluetooth speaker with impressive battery life, great sound, and enough muscle to play really loud without distortion. Virtually impervious to the elements, this speaker lives up to its name whether the party is at the beach, the pool, or even just in your family room.

JBL is a major player in the portable speaker market, offering Bluetooth speakers ranging from the very small Clip and Go series to the giant Boombox. In between are the medium-sized options: the Pulse, Flip, Charge, and Xtreme.

The model names are well established in our minds, and most of the speakers are now in their third or fourth generation. At CES in January, JBL presented the mischievous Clip 5 and Go 4, as well as this, long-awaited piece, the Xtreme 4.

The Xtreme series has been something of a favorite among our editors. Optimal for those who want to take a slightly larger speaker with them, whether it’s to the pool, the beach, or a gathering in the park. With a fairly compact body weighing 4.6 pounds (2.1Kg), the Xtreme 4 isn’t the lightest travel companion, but it will reward those who lug it along.

Andreas Bergsman

The Xtreme 4 is available in three colors: black, blue, or camouflage. Since the speaker lacks an integrated handle, it comes with an adjustable carrying strap that can be hooked to the top if you prefer to hang it over your shoulder instead of transporting it in a bag or something similar. A fun detail is that the buckle on the strap itself can also be used as a bottle opener.

This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best Bluetoth speakers.

Good has become better

The Xtreme 4 is nearly 1/4-pound heavier and slightly wider around the waist compared to its predecessor, but it rests more surely on its bottom than previous generations. It remains wrapped in coarse fabric all around, and it retains the large passive bass radiators on each end cap. Like its predecessor, the Xtreme 4 is rated IP67 for protection from the elements, meaning it is entirely water- and dustproof. Need a better understanding of IP codes? We’ll tell you all about them at the preceding link.

Andreas Bergsman

The keypad on the top of the speaker is designed slightly different than earlier models, but the functions are largely the same. There’s a centrally located power button, a button to put the speaker in Bluetooth pairing mode, clearly marked buttons for volume control, and one for play/pause/track change. The controls are simple and straightforward.

When you want to stream music to multiple JBL speakers, you’ll find that JBL has replaced its Partyboost technology with the newer and more stable Auracast technology, which uses Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (BLE). Don’t despair if you have older Partyboost-compatible JBL speakers, they can still be linked to Xtreme 4 via the JBL Portable app.

Andreas Bergsman

Convenient app with a 5-band equalizer

As before, the Xtreme 4 is equipped with two 70mm (2.76-inch) woofers driven by a 2 x 30-watt RMS amplifier (with AC power, it’s 2 x 20W with battery power). A pair of 20mm (.79-inch) tweeters are driven by a 2 x 20W RMS amp (on AC power, it’s 2 x 15W with battery power). JBL says this speaker can last up to 24 hours on a fully charged battery, compared 15 hours for the previous model.

Andreas Bergsman

The JBL Portable app benefits from several changes, including the ability for two Xtreme 4s to perform as a stereo pair (that’s in addition to the Partyboost and Auracast features discussed earlier), and a customizable 5-band equalizer with four presets.

As for the sound experience, the speakers in this series have always sounded good, so it would be too much to say that this fourth-generation model stands out against its predecessors. But the Xtreme 4 does sound great, with heavy bass response and more than enough power to entertain both you and your neighbors. I promise!

Specifications

• Output power: 2x30W / 2x20W (woofers/tweeters)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
• Battery life: Up to 24 hours
• Charging time: 3.5 hours
• Frequency response: 44Hz – 20kHz
• Weatherization: IP67
• Smart speaker: No
• Weight: 2.1 kg
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 297 x 149 x 141 mm

Editors’ note: This review was originally published by TechHive’s sibling site, M3.se, and has been translated from Swedish.