Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The JBL Xtreme 3 ranks #18 of 105 large speakers by sound quality at $269.95; the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus ranks #37 of 99 boombox speakers by sound quality at $179.99.
The JBL Xtreme 3 is the lighter pick. Better treble and deeper bass than the JBL Xtreme 2. At 4 lbs (1.83 kg) it weighs much less than the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg). Watch for: Boosted bass.
The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is the louder, deeper-bass option. Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. Its bass reaches about 39Hz before falling 10dB, against 53Hz for the JBL Xtreme 3. Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 111dB at full volume, against 105dB for the JBL Xtreme 3. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 15 for the JBL Xtreme 3. The tradeoff: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3 at $269.95 if you want a large speaker. Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at $179.99 if you want a boombox speaker instead.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | Soundcore Boom 2 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.95 | $179.99 |
| Ranked | #18 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #37 of 99 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.83 kg) | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.7” x 5.4” x 5.3” (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 17.3” x 9.1” x 5.9” (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 114mm (4.5”) woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75”) tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 100W | 140W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | No |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Xtreme 3:
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs JBL Xtreme 5
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs JBL Xtreme 3
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Brane X
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 3: $269.95 Amazon $269.95 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5, released Apr 2026.
Older models: the JBL Xtreme 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5). See every JBL Xtreme generation.
Pros: Better treble and deeper bass than the JBL Xtreme 2. More balanced sounding than the JBL Xtreme 4. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Boosted bass. Not as deep bass as better speakers. Not as balanced as better speakers.
Full JBL Xtreme 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 105dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs (1.83 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ? More from alanrossreviews →
- 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!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Halo 100 bluetooth party speaker - their best yet!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Onyx Studio 8 vs HK Onyx 6, Xtreme 3, PartyBox Encore, Go+ Play, Bag of Riddim! part 3 of 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom vs Rave Neo - Boombox Battle!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom vs JBL Xtreme 3 LG PN7 & Minirig mk3 💯👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 vs JBL Xtreme 3, Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1! Xtreme Review 🤓
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂 More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA - Unboxing.📦 Short Test vs Xtreme 4 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal. More from DLXWillington →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ortizan M8🦨 Bluetooth Speaker. Is This The Budget JBL Xtreme 3 Killer? Better Than Zealot S67? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More… More from Smart Home Sounds →
- Danny Pops: It’s shaped like a Football - JBL Xtreme 3 Review vs Marshall Tufton and Flips Party Mode More from DannyPops →
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme3 Sound & Bass test More from KULASTECHSHOW20 →
- GYMCADDY: JBL Xtreme 3 Vs Sony XG300 - Its Not Even Close More from GYMCADDY →
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XG300 Vs JBL Xtreme 3 More from NewStuffTV1 →
- Audio Inside Scoop: Klipsch Detroit VS JBL Xtreme 3 Hear With Me!!
- NozeeD StudiO: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Tronsmart Force Max Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Bose SoundLink Max
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Loewe We. Hear Pro
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Teufel Rockster Cross 2
- See all 92 comparisons
Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: $179.99 Amazon $179.99 Lowest Soundcore $249.99 eBay
Older model: the Soundcore Motion Boom+ (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every Soundcore Boom generation.
Same family: the Soundcore Boom 2 (smaller model, rated 4.5/5).
Pros: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. This speaker will likely move up as we get a good EQ tune that makes it a lot more neutral. Measured bass extension of 39Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost. Reasonably deep bass, but not as good as the top ranked.
Full Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review and specifications →
| Released | May 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 140W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3” x 9.1” x 5.9” (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5”) woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75”) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This sounds totally different now! Soundcore Boom Plus 2 firmware 03.10 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Earfun Uboom X Mini Boombox bluetooth speaker, a PROPER review 😝
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- Techder Audios: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus VS Teufel Rockster Cross "TO MUCH BASS VS CLARITY QUALITY!" More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus VS Tribit Stormbox Blast 🛜 Boombox Basement Battle 📊Custom EQ 🔥Who You Got? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: NEW RELEASE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Motion Boom Plus🤯Stock EQ, Bass^ Enabled🤜🤛 A Family Feud😆
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3 More from pickyaudio →
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- EL JEFE REVIEWS: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus 💥 BIGGER & BADDER! More from ELJefeReviews →
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Showcase - Lots Of Bass In A Small Package More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot ZE01
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