Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks #24 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the JBL Xtreme 2 ranks #44 and costs $149.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Xtreme 2 offers: Four drivers with refined bass balance, closer to studio monitors than typical portables. Set against that: External AC power brick for charging.
The case for the Soundcore Motion X500: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). The catch: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit.
One note: the JBL Xtreme 2 is discontinued, but it still ranks #44 of 77 large speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Xtreme 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 2 | Soundcore Motion X500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 Discontinued | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #44 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 98dB | 104dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver |
| Dimensions | 11.3" x 5.4" x 4.2" (287 x 137 x 107 mm) | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 40W RMS | 40W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- W-King D8 vs Sony SRS-XG300
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs onn Portable FM Boombox
- Marshall Middleton vs W-King D8
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Ultimate Ears Everboom
- LG Xboom Bounce vs JBL Xtreme 2
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 2: $149.99 Discontinued Amazon
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.
Cons: External AC power brick for charging. Boosted bass. Treble harsh at high volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Xtreme 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 98dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- 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)
- Reddit Search for JBL Xtreme 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Motion X500: $99.99 Amazon
Pros: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). IPX7 weatherproof rating. Compact and very portable. Fine build quality at this price. Spatial Dynamic mode provides immersive sound. Gets close to 12 hour battery claim.
Cons: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit. Peaks at 250hz and dip at 1khz
Full Soundcore Motion X500 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 8" x 3.2" (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3") forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7") upward-firing driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 104dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Sonos Move 2
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Sonos Move
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Marshall Middleton II
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- See all 23 comparisons