Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme 4

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 4, if you are buying new. The Harman Kardon Citation 200 ranks higher than it (#13 vs #44 of 105 large speakers, 4.5/5 vs 3.8/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Xtreme 4 is still sold new at $309.95.

Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme 4

The Harman Kardon Citation 200 is the better-sounding option. Deeper bass than any Onyx. The catch: Overly boomy by default, you can short press the Bluetooth and volume down buttons simultaneously to decrease the bass, and the Bluetooth and volume up buttons simultaneously to increase it.

The JBL Xtreme 4 is the longer-running, lighter choice. A rugged 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) portable with IP67 protection, a replaceable battery, USB-C power-bank output, Auracast, stereo pairing and a useful 5-band app EQ. It is rated for 24 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Citation 200. At 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Harman Kardon Citation 200 at 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX4 for the Harman Kardon Citation 200. Watch for: It cannot produce the deep rumble of a larger speaker, and bass compression increases near maximum volume.

Buy the JBL Xtreme 4, since the Harman Kardon Citation 200 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Harman Kardon Citation 200 JBL Xtreme 4
Price$130 Discontinued$309.95
Ranked#13 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#44 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputNoNo
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX4IP67
StereoPartially (1 woofer)Yes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Weight6.3 lbs (2.85 kg)4.6 lbs (2.1 kg)
Wi-FiYes-
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
AppYes (Harman Kardon app)Yes
EQNoYes (5 band)
TWSNoYes
Party ModeNoYes (Auracast)
Power BankNoYes (USB-C)
USB PlaybackNo-
Built-in MicrophoneYesYes
Voice AssistantsGoogle Assistant-
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Bluetooth Version4.25.3
Dimensions7” x 8.6” x 6.8” (178 x 219 x 172 mm)11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm)
Drivers5” woofer, 1” tweeter2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators
Frequency Response40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Amplifier Power50W100W
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Bluetooth Latency-220ms
Maximum SPL-106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Removable Battery-Yes
Strap-Yes (detachable shoulder strap)

How Harman Kardon Citation 200 compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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

Harman Kardon Citation 200: $130 Discontinued eBay

Harman Kardon Citation 200 ranking card

Pros: Deeper bass than any Onyx.

Cons: Overly boomy by default, you can short press the Bluetooth and volume down buttons simultaneously to decrease the bass, and the Bluetooth and volume up buttons simultaneously to increase it. Discontinued.

ReleasedSep 2020 (6 years ago)
Amplifier Power50W
AppYes (Harman Kardon app)
Aux InputNo
Battery Life8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions7” x 8.6” x 6.8” (178 x 219 x 172 mm)
Drivers5” woofer, 1” tweeter
EQNo
Frequency Response40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIPX4
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C
StereoPartially (1 woofer)
TWSNo
USB PlaybackNo
Voice AssistantsGoogle Assistant
Weight6.3 lbs (2.85 kg)
Wi-FiYes

JBL Xtreme 4: $309.95 Amazon $309.95 B&H Photo Video eBay

JBL Xtreme 4 ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5, released Apr 2026. It adds USB audio input, AAC and LC3, but drops the built-in mic. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.

Older models: the JBL Xtreme 3 (ranked higher, rated 4.3/5), the JBL Xtreme 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Xtreme generation.

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. Out of the box it leans bass-boosted, with a dip between the upper bass and midrange that EQ cannot fix, and it pushes the upper mids and treble at high volume. It is also expensive.

ReleasedMar 2024 (2 years ago)
Amplifier Power100W
AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency220ms
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions11.7” x 5.9” x 5.6” (297 x 149 x 141 mm)
Drivers2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (5 band)
Frequency Response44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C)
Power InputUSB-C
Removable BatteryYes
StereoYes
StrapYes (detachable shoulder strap)
TWSYes
Weight4.6 lbs (2.1 kg)