Short answer: the JBL Charge 2. It ranks #69 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $149; the KEF Muo gen2 ranks #73 and costs $249.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Charge 2 gets right: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. The catch: Bass compression at higher volumes.
What the KEF Muo gen2 offers: KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance. Watch for: Lacking deeper bass.
Buy the JBL Charge 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the KEF Muo gen2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the KEF Muo gen2 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Charge 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 2 | KEF Muo gen2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 Discontinued | $249.99 |
| Ranked | #69 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 | 5.4 |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) | 8.5" x 3.2" x 2.3" (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 15W RMS | 40W |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 KHz 24 bit |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| App | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg | 1.6 lbs / 740 g |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP67 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| TWS | - | Yes |
| Max Volume | - | 90dB |
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- KEF Muo gen2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- KEF Muo gen2 vs Marshall Emberton II
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 2: $149 Discontinued
Pros: Doubles as a 6000mAh power bank. ~10-12 hour battery life. Social Mode pairs up to 3 phones; works as a speakerphone.
Cons: Bass compression at higher volumes. Warm sound. slightly rolled off treble. Not as loud as other speakers. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 3.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.4" x 3" (216 x 86 x 76 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 75Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 15W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2.1A) |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
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KEF Muo gen2: $249.99 Amazon
Pros: KEF seemed to have fixed the rolled off treble and overall balance
Cons: Lacking deeper bass. Very thuddy bass. Appears to be the exact same hardware but with updated tuning. Bass distorts as volume increases, and the claimed 43Hz extension is really only audible at low listening volumes, with a few seconds of lag after volume changes. Loses most of its bass off-axis. Customer reviews are mixed, ranging from praise for detail at low volume to complaints of a boxy, hollow sound.
Full KEF Muo gen2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX Adaptive up to 48 KHz 24 bit |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 3.2" x 2.3" (216 x 82 x 59 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 58x117mm racetrack woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 90dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs / 740 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons