Short answer: the JBL Charge 4 for better sound quality, the Sony XB33 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 4 ranks #50 of 135 medium speakers at $119.95. The Sony XB33 ranks #59 at $110, $9.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 4 offers: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. Watch for: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver.
What the Sony XB33 offers: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). Watch for: Not very loud.
Buy the JBL Charge 4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Sony XB33 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 4 | Sony XB33 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.95 Discontinued | $110 |
| Ranked | #50 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #59 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms | 110ms |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 97dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) | 9.7" x 3.8" x 4.2" (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 30W RMS | 16W RMS |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| App | - | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| EQ | - | Yes (3 band) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 4: $119.95 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Doubles as a power bank for charging phones/tablets. IPX7 rated and floats. ~20 hour battery life; wirelessly links with 100+ JBL Connect+ speakers.
Cons: Not stereo. 1 Oval driver. Boosted bass, top a little rolled off, warm sound. Not as loud as a Charge 3. Discontinued.
Full JBL Charge 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 330ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 3.7" x 3.7" (220 x 95 x 93 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 51x89mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 30W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs JBL Charge 4 and Charge 3 - best JBL charge 5 review 2021?
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- Alan Ross Reviews: LG Xboom Go PL7 vs JBL Charge 4 and Sony XB33 - best Bluetooth speaker?
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony XB33: $110
Pros: IP67 rated and lightweight (2.4 lb). App-controlled color LED lighting, Party Connect links up to 100 speakers. ~19 hour real-world battery without lights.
Cons: Not very loud. Upper bass peaks, midrange dip, upper midrange peaks, not very neutral. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Full Sony XB33 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Sony Music Connect App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 110ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.7" x 3.8" x 4.2" (246 x 97 x 106 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 48x70mm X-Balanced racetrack drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 97dB |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs / 1.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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