Short answer: the JBL Flip 4 for better sound quality, the Tribit Xsound Surf for the lower price. The JBL Flip 4 ranks #63 of 136 medium speakers at $70. The Tribit Xsound Surf ranks #79 at $26, $44 cheaper.
What the JBL Flip 4 gets right: Less bass than a Flip 5. The tradeoff: Battery failures are common.
What the Tribit Xsound Surf offers: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. Set against that: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks.
One note: the JBL Flip 4 is discontinued, but it still ranks #63 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the JBL Flip 4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Tribit Xsound Surf if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Flip 4 | Tribit Xsound Surf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $70 Discontinued | $26 |
| Ranked | #63 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #79 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | - |
| TWS | No | - |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g | 1 lbs / 440 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 16W RMS | 12W RMS |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Max Volume | 92dB | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Stereo | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Built in Microphone | - | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| EQ | - | Yes |
| App | - | Yes |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Tribit Stormbox vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Tribit Xsound Go vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Tribit Stormbox 2 vs Soundcore 2
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Tribit Stormbox vs Tribit Xsound Surf
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Flip 4: $70 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: Less bass than a Flip 5. Peaky lower treble.
Cons: Battery failures are common. Discontinued.
Full JBL Flip 4 review and specifications →
| Aux Input | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 66Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 300ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6.9" x 2.8" x 2.6" (175 x 70 x 65 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 40mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 92dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 16W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs / 510 g |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: JBL Flip 5 vs Flip 4 :Sound Battle: Almost to the size of the JBL Charge 3? More from DLXWillington →
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2 More from GYMCADDY →
- GYMCADDY: Best $100 Speaker? JBL Flip 4 Vs Sony XB20 Vs UE WONDERBOOM Vs Altec Mini Lifejacket 2
- Reddit Search for JBL Flip 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tribit Xsound Surf: $26
Pros: Rugged rubberized frame with a metal grille. About 20% louder than the XSound Go at the same volume. IPX7 rated, USB-C charging, and pairs with a second Surf for stereo.
Cons: Bass doesn’t go as deep as others, strange midrange peaks
Full Tribit Xsound Surf review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Likely Yes (based on Tribit pattern) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 2.2" x 2.1" (178 x 57 x 54 mm) |
| Drivers | 40W: 2x drivers with passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 12W RMS |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Weight | 1 lbs / 440 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit XSound Surf vs. XSound Go (Upgraded Model) Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Aphid Tech: Tribit XSound Surf vs Soundcore 2 - With Sound Comparison!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot S61 🦨 Bluetooth Speaker Review & Sound Comparison to Tribit XSound Surf. Another Zealot dud❓
- Reddit Search for Tribit Xsound Surf Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Xsound Go
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Tribit Stormbox 2
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Soundcore 2
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Sony ULT Field 1
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs LG Xboom Grab
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs JBL Grip
- Tribit Xsound Surf vs Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3
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