Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 2. It ranks #49 of 85 large speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $199.99; the Dali Katch G1 ranks #67, rated 2.8/5, and costs $279, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the JBL Xtreme 2 does well: Four drivers with refined bass balance, closer to studio monitors than typical portables. The catch: External AC power brick for charging.
The case for the Dali Katch G1: Pretty neutral. The catch: Loses bass quickly after 40% volume.
Worth knowing: the JBL Xtreme 2 has been discontinued and is hard to find new at this point.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Dali Katch G1 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 2 | Dali Katch G1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.99 Discontinued | $279 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #49 of 85 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #67 of 85 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| App | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 89mm woofers, 2x 21mm tweeters |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 5.4” x 4.2” (287 x 137 x 107 mm) | 10.6” x 5.4” x 1.9” (269 x 138 x 47 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 49Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS | 50W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | - |
| Charging Time | - | 2 hours |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Xtreme 2 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 2
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs JBL Xtreme 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 vs JBL Xtreme 2
- Marshall Stockwell II vs JBL Xtreme 2
- Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 Xtreme 2: $199.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.
Pros: Four drivers with refined bass balance, closer to studio monitors than typical portables. IPX7 water-resistant. Amazing real-world battery: ~20 hours at 75dB (vs 15hr claim). USB-A port charges other devices. Optional carry strap. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: External AC power brick for charging. Boosted bass. Treble harsh at high volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Xtreme 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 5.4” x 4.2” (287 x 137 x 107 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 speaker review 50 watts power against JBL xtreme 2 and soundcore Motion plus More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 vs JBL Xtreme 3, Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1! Xtreme Review 🤓
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs JBL Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1 - review and sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
- Ezekielo: JBL Xtreme 2 vs Sonos Move with Sound Comparison
- HT Sound: Devialet Mania VS JBL Xtreme 2 - 60% Vol (Listen with headphones)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Dali Katch G1: $279 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Dali Katch G2, ranked higher, rated 2.8/5.
Pros: Pretty neutral
Cons: Loses bass quickly after 40% volume. A lot of compression artifacts at high volume. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued, superseded by the Dali Katch G2, which sounds nearly identical. Reverb added to the output screws up the imaging. Quite a hollow character to the sound.
Full Dali Katch G1 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Charging Time | 2 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6” x 5.4” x 1.9” (269 x 138 x 47 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 89mm woofers, 2x 21mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 49Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons