Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Harman Kardon Citation 200 is the better pick: it ranks #13 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.5/5), against #72 (rated 3.2/5) for the JBL Xtreme. If you want one new, the JBL Xtreme 5 replaces the JBL Xtreme and is rated 4.6/5 at $349.99.
The Harman Kardon Citation 200 is the better-sounding option. Deeper bass than any Onyx. Watch for: 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 is the longer-running, tougher pick. 15 hour battery. It is rated for 15 hours of battery against 8 for the Harman Kardon Citation 200. It is rated IPX7 against IPX4 for the Harman Kardon Citation 200. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Harman Kardon Citation 200 lacks. The tradeoff: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes.
Buy the Harman Kardon Citation 200 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the JBL Xtreme 5, which replaces the JBL Xtreme.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Harman Kardon Citation 200 | JBL Xtreme | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 Discontinued | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #72 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon app) | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | No | No |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 7” x 8.6” x 6.8” (178 x 219 x 172 mm) | 11.1” x 5” x 4.8” (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 1” tweeter | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Maximum SPL | - | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Harman Kardon Citation 200:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Brane X vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- Marshall Stockwell II vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Harman Kardon Citation 200: $130 Discontinued eBay
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.
Full Harman Kardon Citation 200 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon app) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7” x 8.6” x 6.8” (178 x 219 x 172 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme3 Sound & Bass test More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 7 Bass comparison
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Beolit 20 with Sound Comparison!
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 6 vs Bose Portable Speaker Sound Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs B&O Beosound A5
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Marshall Stockwell II
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Bose SoundLink Max
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- See all 69 comparisons
JBL Xtreme: $200 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Xtreme generation.
Pros: 15 hour battery. IPX7 water resistance. JBL Connect for pairing with other JBL speakers. Built-in microphone for calls.
Cons: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes. An older speaker outclassed by newer releases of the Xtreme. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued.
Full JBL Xtreme review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 5” x 4.8” (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons