Short answer: the Dockin D Fine+ 2. It ranks #26 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $150; the JBL Xtreme 4 ranks #37 and costs $380, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
In the JBL Xtreme 4’s favor: it has a removable battery, slightly deeper bass than the Xtreme 3, and there’s a recommended EQ that improves the sound further. Working against it: it’s high priced, has some bass boost, a dip in the upper bass to midrange that sounds strange and can’t be EQ’d out, and some upper mids and treble boost at high volumes.
The pitch for the Dockin D Fine+ 2: quite deep bass for the category. On the downside: it doesn’t have as much midrange clarity as other top ranked speakers and has a dip at 1.8kHz.
Buy the Dockin D Fine+ 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Xtreme 4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Xtreme 4 is rated for 24 hours versus 16 hours for the Dockin D Fine+ 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 4 | Dockin D Fine+ 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 | $150 |
| Ranked | #37 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes (Bass boost 3 steps) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms | - |
| Max Volume | 106dB | 96dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg | 5.1 lbs / 2.3 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.9" x 5.6" (297 x 149 x 141 mm) | 12.2" x 4.1" x 4.1" (310 x 103 x 103 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2x tweeters, 2x midrange/bass drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 100W | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 45Hz |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 4: $380 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Removable battery. Slightly deeper bass than Xtreme 3. Use this EQ for the best sound quality.
Cons: High priced. Some bass boost. Dip in the upper bass to midrange makes it sound strange which cannot be EQd out. Some upper mids and treble boost at high levels.
Full JBL Xtreme 4 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.9" x 5.6" (297 x 149 x 141 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 106dB |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| 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
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6, Xtreme 4 & Earfun UBoom X - taking sound to the top
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - outdoor test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Charge 6 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - basstest (bigger=better?)
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs Flip 7 vs Charge 6 – The ULTIMATE JBL Speaker Showdown!
- Oluv Patreon: SoundCore Boom 3i - first impressions & EQs
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA Deep BASS 🆚 JBL XTREME 4
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Middleton👌🎶 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4 🎶📢
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 4 - sound analysis
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 4 - unboxing & first impressions
- Oluv Patreon: Harman Kardon go+play 3 vs JBL Xtreme 4 - first impressions
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂
- Reddit Search for JBL Xtreme 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Dockin D Fine+ 2: $150 Amazon
Pros: Quite deep bass for the category.
Cons: Not as much midrange clarity as other top ranked speakers. Dip at 1.8khz.
Full Dockin D Fine+ 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.2" x 4.1" x 4.1" (310 x 103 x 103 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x tweeters, 2x midrange/bass drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (Bass boost 3 steps) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs / 2.3 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dockin D Fine+ 2 vs Soundcore Motion Boom 50w vs 30w 😱
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dockin d fine plus 2 v w king d8 budget boombox - 2020 50 watt speakers
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dockin D Fine+ 2 - overview - specs - sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Dockin d fine+ mk2 stereo test - two Dockin Speakers - wow!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
- Reddit Search for Dockin D Fine+ 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons