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 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $199.95; the Sony SRS-XV900 ranks #10 of 11 large party speakers by sound quality at $900.
In favor of the JBL Charge 6: It sounds more neutral than the Charge 5 with a flatter response through the mids and treble, and gets even better with the Joy/Oluv EQ applied and the lowest bass slider turned down. The downside: by default it still has some boosted bass, recessed mids, and brightness above 2kHz for a fairly V-shaped frequency response.
The case for the Sony SRS-XV900: It can get slightly louder than the JBL Partybox 310, and its handle and wheels make it convenient to move around. The catch: its bass isn’t as deep and loses more low end at high volume than the Partybox 310 and every other speaker in its class.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 at $199.95 if you want a medium speaker. Buy the Sony SRS-XV900 at $900 if you want a large party speaker instead.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Sony SRS-XV900. It ranks near the bottom of the 11 large party speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Charge 6 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Sony SRS-XV900 at no water resistance.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 6 | Sony SRS-XV900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $900 |
| Ranked | #11 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #10 of 11 in Large Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | None |
| Max Volume | 102dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g | 58.6 lbs / 26.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | 16.1" x 34.6" x 17.3" (410 x 880 x 439 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 9 drivers: 1x 12.6"x12.6" woofer, 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 2" front tweeter, 2x 1.6" side tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power cord |
| Output Power | 45W | 100W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Microphone Input | - | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Optical Input | - | Yes |
| Removable Battery | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
| Wifi | - | No |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge 6: $199.95 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.
Full JBL Charge 6 review and specifications →
| 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" 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 (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- 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?
- Reddit Search for JBL Charge 6 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XV900: $900 Amazon
Pros: Can get slightly louder than a Partybox 310. Handle and wheels are convenient.
Cons: Not as deep of bass and loses more bass at high volume compared to the Partybox 310 and every other speaker on this page
Full Sony SRS-XV900 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.1" x 34.6" x 17.3" (410 x 880 x 439 mm) |
| Drivers | 9 drivers: 1x 12.6"x12.6" woofer, 2x 4.7" midrange, 2x 2" front tweeter, 2x 1.6" side tweeter, 2x 1.6" rear tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | None |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 58.6 lbs / 26.6 kg |
| Wifi | No |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Sony SRS-XV900 vs JBL Partybox 310 - Can the JBL Middleweight 💪🏽 Compete With The Sony Heavyweight?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Partybox 710 ☣️ vs Sony SRS XV900 ☢️- Basement Brawl Speaker Comparison. Can XV900 Top the 710❓
- GYMCADDY: Sony XV900 Review - Finally, A Good Speaker From Sony!
- Reddit Search for Sony SRS-XV900 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons