These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Xtreme 3 ranks #18 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $269.95; the Soundcore Boom 3i ranks #27 of 135 medium speakers by sound quality at $110.
The case for the JBL Xtreme 3: better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2, and more balanced overall than the newer Xtreme 4 - a full size class up from the Boom 3i. The catch: boosted bass, and still not as deep or as balanced as the very top speakers in its own larger class.
What the Soundcore Boom 3i gets right: it looks like a direct answer to the JBL Charge 5, with a similar warm, bass-forward sound profile at better value. Set against that: it doesn’t quite match the Charge 5 for loudness or balance (though it comes close), and an early firmware version had some bass distortion - worth updating in the Soundcore App.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3 at $269.95 if you want a large speaker. Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i at $110 if you want a medium speaker instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | Soundcore Boom 3i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.95 | $110 |
| Ranked | #18 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 135 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | - |
| Max Volume | 105dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg | 1.7 lbs / 783 g |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP68 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 100W | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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
Soundcore Boom 3i: $110 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. Better value for the money than the Charge 5.
Cons: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close. An earlier firmware version had some bass distortion, update your firmware in the Soundcore App
Full Soundcore Boom 3i review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3" x 3.3" x 3.1" (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs / 783 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons