Short answer: the B&O Beosound A5 for better sound quality, the JBL Xtreme 3 for the lower price. The B&O Beosound A5 ranks #12 of 77 large speakers at $1650. The JBL Xtreme 3 ranks #18 at $269.95, $1380.05 cheaper.
The JBL Xtreme 3 earns points for: Better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2, and it sounds more balanced than the Xtreme 4. But: its bass is boosted and not as deep as better speakers, and it’s not quite as balanced as the top performers in its class.
The Beosound A5’s case: It has a pretty neutral sound. The catch is: there isn’t enough good sound sample data yet to rank it properly.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the B&O Beosound A5 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | B&O Beosound A5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.95 | $1,650.00 |
| Ranked | #18 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #12 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | - |
| Max Volume | 105dB | 101dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg | 8.5 lbs / 3.86 kg |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP65 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 11.2" x 7.4" x 5.1" (285 x 187 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 5.25" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange, 0.8" tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 32Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 100W | 280W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 3: $269.95 Amazon
Pros: Better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2. More balanced sounding than the Xtreme 4
Cons: Boosted bass. Not as deep bass as better speakers. Not as balanced as better speakers.
Full JBL Xtreme 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 105dB |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA - Unboxing.📦 Short Test vs Xtreme 4
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom vs JBL Xtreme 3 LG PN7 & Minirig mk3 💯👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs JBL Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1 - review and sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs JBL Xtreme 3 - Extreme review!
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal.
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XG300 Vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 vs JBL Xtreme 3, Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1! Xtreme Review 🤓
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂
- Audio Inside Scoop: Klipsch Detroit VS JBL Xtreme 3 Hear With Me!!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Xtreme 3 Vs Sony XG300 - Its Not Even Close
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom vs Rave Neo - Boombox Battle!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ortizan M8🦨 Bluetooth Speaker. Is This The Budget JBL Xtreme 3 Killer? Better Than Zealot S67?
- Danny Pops: It’s shaped like a Football - JBL Xtreme 3 Review vs Marshall Tufton and Flips Party Mode
- Reddit Search for JBL Xtreme 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&O Beosound A5: $1,650.00 Amazon
Pros: Pretty neutral sound. Not enough good sound samples to rank this properly
Full B&O Beosound A5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 11.2" x 7.4" x 5.1" (285 x 187 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" woofer, 2x 2" fullrange, 0.8" tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 32Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Max Volume | 101dB |
| Output Power | 280W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Beolink Multiroom) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs / 3.86 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons