When it comes to Bluetooth speakers that can endure a beating, JBL’s Extreme and JBL Boombox series are the leading contenders.
If you are looking for a tough Bluetooth speaker that also sounds good and is portable, you have come to the right place.
Even better, if your choices are JBL Extreme 2 and JBL Boombox 2.
To make things easy for you, I’ll go through the differences between JBL Extreme 2 and JBL Boombox 2 in today’s article.
So, without further ado, let us see some of the best portable speakers on the market currently.
Introduction of the Speakers
JBL Xtreme 2
Xtreme 2 is a portable speaker from JBL’s known series of rugged speakers.
Although the Xtreme 3 is out and available now, the Xtreme 2 still remains a great value pick.
Back in 2015 with its release it took the market by storm and topped a lot of charts when it came to Bluetooth speakers that sound good, are made well and on top of it easy portability
JBL Boombox 2
JBL Xtreme 2 is a Bluetooth speaker that is made to last, but when it comes to being robust, JBL Boombox 2 screams “rugged Bluetooth speaker”
Since the original JBL boombox release it took the market by storm, this lineup is all about durability.
They are made to take some beatings, be portable and sound good at the same time.
JBL Boombox 2 is the last speaker from this series, the JBL Boombox 3 is expected to be launched in September 2022. Another cool addition those rugged portable speakers.
Design – Which one has the best construction?
If you put the JBL Boombox 2 and JBL Extreme 2 side by side, it looks like the JBL Extreme 2 is standing close to its bigger brother, the JBL Boombox 2, which is the “mean” one (more aggressive design).
That doesn’t change the fact that both the “big” and “small” brothers are well-made and built to last.
Both speakers are protected by a tight fabric that makes them extremely durable. The remaining speakers are mostly made of plastic, although not cheap plastic at all.
You will find the JBL Xtreme available in black, blue, red, green, and camo colors while the JBL Boombox 2 is available in black and camo only.
JBL was generous with the colors on JBL Xtreme 2, I wish there were more options on JBL Boombox 2. Still, I like the camo build because it complements the speaker’s robust and aggressive design.
Because they’re from JBL, they’re both cylindrical, which is pretty much the company’s signature shape.
Plastic is used to complete the bass radiators on both speakers. It’s just that with the JBL Extreme 2, there are two hooks for connecting the speaker’s strap.
While JBL Boombox 2 has its own plastic handle to make the carrying process a breeze,
As previously said, the JBL Boombox 2 is much larger and heavier, yet this does not limit its portability thanks to the handle it includes, which other series lack.
When it comes to “swimming,” though, both speakers are great divers.
They have an IPX7 water-resistant rating.
That implies you can immerse speakers for 30 minutes at a depth of one meter and they will not be damaged by splashes or projectiles of water.
Connectivity and Features
Both speakers offer Bluetooth connectivity, although the Boombox 2 supports the more advanced Bluetooth version.
The JBL Xtreme 2 has Bluetooth 4.2, while the Boombox 2 has Bluetooth 5.1. Bluetooth 5 is quicker than Bluetooth 4, with a speed of 2Mbps, which is double that of Bluetooth 4.
The JBL Extreme 2, on the other hand, features voice assistant support and a speakerphone capability that the JBL Boombox 2 lacks.
The JBL Boombox 2 boasts the party boost feature, which connects JBL speakers for a superior sound experience.
JBL Xtreme 2 does not support it, although it does support Connect+.
What I like about those speakers is that they can also double as powerbanks.
Thanks to the USB port on the speakers, you may charge your devices such as phones at any time.
Sound Quality – Which One is the Better Performer?
Both speakers feature essentially the same setup when it comes to sound components.
The JBL Boombox 2 features dual 4-inch woofers and dual 20-millimeter tweeters (roughly.8 inches), as well as the JBL Boombox 2’s unique dual exposed passive radiators.
The Xtreme 2 features the same ones, but they are smaller. The dual woofers, for example, are 2.75 inches in diameter, while the tweeter is the same 20-millimeter diameter.
The passive radiators are identical to those found on JBL Boombox 2, however, they are smaller and cannot push as much air.
When it comes to sound quality, I’ll be bold and say that the Boombox 2 is better and louder.
It has a more defined and punchy bass, as well as more accurate mids and highs. Even at the maximum level, the sound quality is crisp and clear.
The smaller JBL Xtreme 2, on the other hand, has a weaker bass, which is understandable given that it is a smaller speaker. However, the mid-range is very correct, but the highs are a little short. Overall, it still remain a decent-sounding speaker.
Battery Life
It is almost a written rule that the larger the battery, the longer the battery life.
With that considered, we can confidently say that the JBL Boombox 2 has longer battery life.
The JBL Xtreme 2 has 15-hour music streaming capacity.
The JBL Boombox 2, on the other hand, is incredible, capable of streaming music for up to 24 hours. Not only does this put it ahead of the JBL Xtreme 2, but also many other Bluetooth speakers. So yeah battery power on JBL Boombox 2 is something else.
Battery life, however, is heavily dependent on other aspects such as features and volume level, as I often mention.
At large volumes, batteries tend to drain faster.
Final Words, Verdict
I started this article by telling you that you made the right choice since it is JBL.
JBL simply can’t produce an awful speaker.
Xtreme and JBL Boombox are both excellent. But, when it comes to selecting the best one, there are a few other factors to consider.
For instance, consider the cost.
JBL Boombox 2 is significantly more expensive, whilst JBL Xtreme 2 is more inexpensive and value-oriented.
When it comes to portability, both are equal, with one being slightly larger and the other slightly smaller.
Boomboxes have a tendency to get loud and always provide excellent sound quality, whereas the JBL Xtreme 2 can only fill small or medium-sized rooms.
If you enjoy the Xtreme series, I recommend giving the Xtreme 3 a try.
Hope everything was clear and I managed to provide enough information for you to make a choice.
Further Reading
In order to help you avoid problems like earphones falling out, here are some additional advice that go along with this article.
And let me continue with some essential information if you want to keep your foam earphones clean.
Have you ever wondered if an audio interface would endure a long time?
Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to install a wall-mounted speaker.
Composer & Audio Engineer
I’m a composer and audio engineer crafting sonic magic. Combining my skills in rhythm, harmony, and sound synthesis to create the ultimate auditory experience.