Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Charge 6 ranks #11 of 134 medium speakers at $149.95; the Sony SRS-XB43 ranks #41 of 75 large speakers at $150.
On the JBL Charge 6 side: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. The catch: Still some boosted bass by default.
The case for the Sony SRS-XB43: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. The tradeoff: Not as loud as others in the category.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 at $149.95 if you want a medium speaker. Buy the Sony SRS-XB43 at $150 if you want a large speaker instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 6 | Sony SRS-XB43 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.95 | $150 |
| Ranked | #11 of 134 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #41 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 102dB | 99dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g | 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 9.0" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | 12.8" x 4.8" x 4.6" (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 45W | 32W RMS |
| USB Audio | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 85ms |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 6: $149.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. Flatter frequency response through the mids and treble as the Charge 5 was quite rolled off up high. Use this EQ from Joy/Oluv and turn down the lowest bass slider for the best sound quality. Oluv has even more paid EQs specifically for the GG and TL models indoors and outdoors here
Cons: Still some boosted bass by default. Mids are recessed. Bright above 2khz. Quite a V shaped frequency response.
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 9.0" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 102dB |
| Output Power | 45W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs SoundCore Boom 2 - David vs Goliath
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 6 or the JBL Charge 5? don’t go home till you watch this!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton II - better with EQ?
- Oluv Patreon: An evening with the “best portable speakers”?
- Oluv Patreon: Bose Soundlink Plus vs JBL Charge 6 - fight!
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Charge 6 🎶👌Unboxing 📦vs Jbl Charge 5 Short Test Audio i Hz.
- GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 6 - good or bad?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Sony SRS-XB43: $150
Pros: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Twin passive radiators deliver Extra Bass impact. IPX7 waterproof and rugged. Up to 24 hour battery (14 hours with lights on). Party lights for visual appeal.
Cons: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically.
Setup: Try out +3 +6 +3 as an EQ to get it as flat as possible as mentioned in the Alan Ross video
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 12.8" x 4.8" x 4.6" (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 32W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partyconnect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs / 2.95 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Boom vs Sony XB43 - a step to far? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb33 vs xb43 vs Soundcore Motion Plus speakers test
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.