Short answer: the Tribit Xsound Mega. It ranks #20 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $100; the JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #35 and costs $130, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Charge Essential 2 gets right: Doubles as a power bank. The tradeoff: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
What the Tribit Xsound Mega offers: Deepest bass of any medium size speaker. Set against that: Single driver, not stereo.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Mega. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential 2 | Tribit Xsound Mega | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $130 | $100 |
| Ranked | #35 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | No |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g | 2.2 lbs / 1020 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter | 60mm woofer + 35mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Output Power | 40W | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 200ms |
| Max Volume | - | 100dB |
| TWS | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Close to Charge 5 performance at a lower price.
Cons: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
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Tribit Xsound Mega: $100 Amazon
Pros: Deepest bass of any medium size speaker. Use xbass mode for flattest frequency response.
Cons: Single driver, not stereo. Lack of detail. Lack of upper treble, peaky lower treble. Not great off axis. Keep in mind this speaker gives up some sound quality for deeper bass.
Full Tribit Xsound Mega review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 60mm woofer + 35mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1020 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega Review vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus - bang for buck champs! 😛 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: £50/$50 bluetooth speaker shootout! Tribit Xsound Mega vs Soundcore Boost and others…👍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs XSound Mega - Sound Comparison, Stock EQ, Both Mono Sound 😶🌫️ A Family Feud
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega vs the world! (JBL Charge 5, Bose Flex, Sony XB33, LG PL7) 👍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Earfun UBoom L 💣(EQ2) 🆚 Tribit XSound Mega 🔥(XBass EQ)- Bluetooth Speaker Bedroom Bash. Who U Got?🔝
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