Short answer: the B&O Beoplay A2 active if sound quality matters most, the JBL Xtreme 4 if price matters most. The B&O Beoplay A2 active ranks #16 of 78 large speakers at $400. The JBL Xtreme 4 ranks #37 at $309.95, $90.05 cheaper.
The case for the B&O Beoplay A2 active: B&O’s True360 sound from both sides. The catch: Not stereo.
On the JBL Xtreme 4 side: Removable battery. Watch for: High priced. Some bass boost.
One note: the B&O Beoplay A2 active is no longer sold new, but at #16 of 78 large speakers by sound quality it still outranks most current models, so used is worth considering.
Buy the B&O Beoplay A2 active if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the JBL Xtreme 4 if the price matters more than sound quality.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Xtreme 4 at IP67 (brief submersion) against the B&O Beoplay A2 active, which has no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| B&O Beoplay A2 active | JBL Xtreme 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 Discontinued | $309.95 |
| Ranked | #16 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #37 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (5 band) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 5.6" x 1.7" (256 x 142 x 44 mm) | 11.7" x 5.9" x 5.6" (297 x 149 x 141 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3" fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 2x 3" passive radiators | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 60W | 100W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 220ms |
| Max Volume | - | 106dB |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How B&O Beoplay A2 active compares with other leading options:
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Marshall Stockwell 2 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
Prices on this page were last checked September 11, 2026 at 8:40 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
B&O Beoplay A2 active: $400 Discontinued eBay
Pros: B&O’s True360 sound from both sides. Customizable sound via Beoplay app. 22 hour battery (improved from original A2). Stereo pairing with a second A2 Active. Splash/dustproof, USB-C charging. ~1.1 kg with carry strap.
Cons: Not stereo. Discontinued and no longer sold new. Discontinued.
Full B&O Beoplay A2 active review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.1" x 5.6" x 1.7" (256 x 142 x 44 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 3" fullrange woofers, 2x 0.75" tweeters + 2x 3" passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 60W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Select Pro
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Bose SoundLink Max
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs JBL Xtreme 3
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Motion X600
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- B&O Beoplay A2 active vs Marshall Stockwell 2
- See all 24 comparisons
JBL Xtreme 4: $309.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A rugged 2.1kg portable with IP67 protection, a replaceable battery, USB-C power-bank output, Auracast, stereo pairing and a useful 5-band app EQ. Independent reviews find the midrange detailed and the sound clear, punchy and refined for outdoor use; it also reaches a strong 106dB maximum level and has excellent real-world battery life.
Cons: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume. The front-facing layout has only modest off-axis consistency, Bluetooth latency is high for video, and the default balance benefits from EQ adjustment. There is no aux input, so wired sources are not supported.
Full JBL Xtreme 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.9" x 5.6" (297 x 149 x 141 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 106dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown! More from alanrossreviews →
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- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 4 - sound analysis
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- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂 More from Dominik Reviews →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
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