Short answer: the Xtreme 3, and it isn’t close. These rank #18 and #78 out of 117 large speakers, at $269.95 and $235.11. The JBL costs less and ranks dramatically higher.
The Detroit’s driver layout looks better on paper than it measures. Dual 1” tweeters and 3” woofers are a genuinely capable spec sheet, and our notes credit it with excellent detail and robust bass from that hardware. But the tuning undercuts it: boosted upper bass that doesn’t go particularly deep, boosted lower treble, and a harsh character our notes describe as typical of most other Klipsch speakers, the same horn-driven house sound covered in the Klipsch brand page.
The Xtreme 3 has real flaws of its own (boosted bass and not the deepest low end in its class), but it’s a more balanced speaker than the Xtreme 4 that replaced it, and considerably more balanced than the Detroit here.
Both share genuine water resistance, IP67 and submersible to 1 metre for 30 minutes, so that isn’t a differentiator between them.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $34.84 you would save on the Klipsch Detroit does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
A loud, waterproof stereo speaker with deep bass, balanced sound and a power bank for charging devices.
A rugged, fully waterproof stereo boombox with a long battery, fast USB-C charging, and power bank output.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | Klipsch Detroit | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.95 | $235.11 |
| Ranked | #18 of 117 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #78 of 117 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 93dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.83 kg) | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 5.4” x 5.3” (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 13.1” x 4.2” x 4.7” (334 x 107 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 76mm fullrange, 2x 25mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 30W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
Watch Them Compared
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