JBL Charge 6 vs TDK A33

Short answer: the JBL Charge 6 for sound, the TDK A33 for a rugged old-school build. The A33 has a solid, weighty 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg) build with a splashproof design suited to outdoor use, but its bass is not as deep as competitors and its treble is slightly recessed. The Charge 6 is more neutral than the Charge 5 with a flatter response through the mids and treble, though it still has boosted bass, recessed mids and brightness above 2kHz.

Buy the JBL Charge 6. It is rated higher for sound quality; the TDK A33 is no longer sold new.

There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Charge 6 at IP68 (extended submersion) against the TDK A33, which has IP64 (splashing).

Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Speaker Comparisons

More top alternatives to JBL Charge 6:

• Earfun Uboom L vs JBL Charge 6
• JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Motion 300
• JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Motion+
• Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs JBL Charge 6
• JBL Charge 6 vs Denon Envaya DSB-250BT

Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time 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.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Charge 6: $149.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

Older models: the JBL Charge 5 (ranked lower, rated 4/5), the JBL Charge 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5), the JBL Charge 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Charge 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).

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. IP68 protection, a 7-band app EQ, Auracast, USB-C charging and a power bank output. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).

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 →

Amplifier Power	45W
App	Yes
Aux Input	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	53Hz
Battery Life	24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes
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
Maximum SPL	102dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Omnidirectional	No
Party Mode	Yes (Auracast)
Power Bank	Yes (USB-C, 5V/2.4A)
Power Input	USB-C
Stereo	No
Strap	Yes (detachable strap)
TWS	Yes
Weight	2.2 lbs (990 g)

• Links
  • Official JBL Charge 6 Product Page
• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test More from Oluv’Sone →
  • 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! More from alanrossreviews →
  • 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. More from Mateusz Cholewa →
  • GYMCADDY: JBL Charge 6 Review - Worth Upgrading Even If You Have The JBL Charge 5 More from GYMCADDY →
  • Oluv Patreon: JBL Charge 6 - good or bad?
  • Joy & Oluv’Sone: JBL, Bose, B&O, Sonos, Earfun, SoundCore… which portable speaker sounds best?
  • M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • JBL Charge 6 vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
  • JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Flip 6
  • JBL Charge 6 vs B&O Beosound A1
  • JBL Charge 6 vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
  • JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Flip 7
  • JBL Charge 6 vs Minirig 2
  • JBL Charge 6 vs Miatone Boompro
  • JBL Charge 6 vs Minirig 3
  • See all 178 comparisons

TDK A33: $199 Discontinued eBay

Pros: TDK A33 uses 2x 1.5-inch full-range + 1x 2.5-inch subwoofer + 2x 3-inch passive radiators. Its 1270 g, claimed 6 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP64 protection, aux input and single-box playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. Measured bass extension of ~72Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass is limited by its ~72Hz specification. There is no companion app. No EQ adjustment. Discontinued.

Full TDK A33 review and specifications →

Amplifier Power	15W
App	No
Aux Input	Yes
Bass Extension (-10dB)	~72Hz
Battery Life	6 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	AAC, SBC
Bluetooth Version	2.1
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	9.5” x 3.7” x 2” (241 x 95 x 51 mm)
Drivers	2x 1.5-inch full-range + 1x 2.5-inch subwoofer + 2x 3-inch passive radiators
EQ	No
IP Rating	IP64
Omnidirectional	No
Power Input	Micro USB
Stereo	Yes
TWS	No
Weight	2.8 lbs (1270 g)

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • TDK A33 vs Teufel Rockster Go
  • TDK A33 vs JBL Flip 7