Short answer: the JBL Charge 6 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 for the lower price. The JBL Charge 6 ranks #11 of 136 medium speakers at $199.95. The Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 ranks #13 at $60, $139.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Charge 6 gets right: Seems more neutral than the Charge 5. The catch: Still some boosted bass by default.
What the Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 offers: A great sounding neutral speaker. Watch for: This old version has micro-usb charging.
Buy the JBL Charge 6 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Charge 6 is rated for 24 hours versus 12 hours for the Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Charge 6 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 at IPX5 (water jets).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge 6 | Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | $60 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #11 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 102dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A) | No |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 990 g | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 9" x 3.9" x 3.7" (228.8 x 98.5 x 94 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 1.75" x 2 active drivers + passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Output Power | 45W | 20W (10W × 2) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Flip 7 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen vs Tribit Stormbox Flow
- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs JBL Charge 6
- B&O Beosound A1 vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
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 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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
Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021: $60 Discontinued
Pros: A great sounding neutral speaker.
Cons: This old version has micro-usb charging. Only IPX5. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1.75" x 2 active drivers + passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 20W (10W × 2) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 590 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons