These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Partybox 330 ranks #1 of 50 party speakers by sound quality at $629.95; the JBL Xtreme 5 ranks #2 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $299.
The case for the JBL Partybox 330: Handle and wheels are convenient. Set against that: Sound quality is nearly identical to the 310 and Stage 320 despite the power bump, so probably not worth an upgrade if you already own either of those.
What the JBL Xtreme 5 gets right: Removable battery. Quite deep bass, reaching well below 40Hz. The catch: High priced. Some bass boost. A hole in the mid-upper bass which can’t be EQ’d out.
Buy the JBL Partybox 330 at $629.95 if you want a party speaker. Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 at $299 if you want a large speaker instead.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Xtreme 5 is rated for 28 hours versus 18 hours for the JBL Partybox 330.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Xtreme 5 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the JBL Partybox 330 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox 330 | JBL Xtreme 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $629.95 | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #1 of 50 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #2 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours | - |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" (165mm) woofers + 2x 1" (25mm) PEN dome tweeters | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) | Yes (7 band) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP68 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Optical Input | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs / 17.1 kg | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg |
| Output Power | 280W | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Max Volume | - | 110dB |
| Built in Microphone | - | No |
| Dimensions | - | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox 330: $629.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Handle and wheels are convenient. Customizable lightshow. Removable battery. Slightly more power than the 310 and Stage 320 (280W vs 240W). Adds an optical TV input and USB-C lossless playback, plus dual mic and guitar inputs for karaoke and live sets.
Cons: Sound quality is nearly identical to the 310 and Stage 320 despite the power bump, so probably not worth an upgrade if you already own either of those. Removed the dedicated mic gain and microphone control knobs found on the 310/320. Some people don’t like the new lightshow design. Very large. Note, JBL daisychain is not compatible with any other non-JBL speaker and is possibly a fully digital signal.
Full JBL Partybox 330 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 2x 6.5" (165mm) woofers + 2x 1" (25mm) PEN dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Smart EQ mode) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Output Power | 280W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 37.7 lbs / 17.1 kg |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Xtreme 5: $299.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Removable battery. Quite deep bass, reaching well below 40Hz. A fantastic sounding speaker with excellent off-axis dispersion, a big step up from older JBL portables. Beats the Soundcore Boom 2 and Tribit Stormbox Blast on bass depth and clarity. Plays clean at volume, unlike the JBL Boombox 4.
Cons: High priced. Some bass boost. A hole in the mid-upper bass which can’t be EQ’d out. Default EQ presets are weak (Signature is boring, Chill and Vocal are close to unusable) - needs the custom EQ to sound its best. Bigger and heavier than the Xtreme 4.
Setup: Try this Oluv EQ for the most neutral sound
Full JBL Xtreme 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Alan Ross Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ImoaGw3t0
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