Short answer: the onn Portable FM Boombox. It ranks #23 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $74.83; the JBL Xtreme 4 ranks #37 and costs $380, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL Xtreme 4: A removable battery, slightly deeper bass than the Xtreme 3, and a custom EQ available online for the best sound quality. The catch: it’s expensive, carries some bass boost, has a dip between the upper bass and midrange that gives it a strange character no EQ can fix, and gets some upper-mids and treble boost at high volume.
What the onn Portable FM Boombox gets right: Exceptional value, reasonably deep bass (though not quite up to the JBL Xtreme 3, Soundcore Boom 2, or Tribit Stormbox Lava), an IPX7 rating that lets it float, FM radio with 10 presets, six multicolor LED lighting effects, and the flexibility to run on battery or corded power. Set against that: its frequency response isn’t quite as smooth as the top-ranked speakers in its size class, and there’s no custom EQ.
Buy the onn Portable FM Boombox. 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 onn Portable FM Boombox.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 4 | onn Portable FM Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 | $74.83 |
| Ranked | #37 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 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) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms | - |
| Max Volume | 106dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Sync, pairs with 1 other onn. speaker) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg | 4.9 lbs / 2.22 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.9" x 5.6" (297 x 149 x 141 mm) | 13.8" x 5.9" x 7.7" (350 x 149 x 195 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2 speakers |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 100W | 25W RMS (100W peak) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | Yes (10 presets) |
| Discontinued | - | No |
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
onn Portable FM Boombox: $74.83 Walmart
Pros: Extremely good value. Reasonably deep bass, though not as deep as something like the JBL Xtreme 3, Soundcore Boom 2, or Tribit Stormbox Lava. IPX7 waterproof and floats. FM radio with 10 presets. 6 multicolor LED lighting effects. Can run on battery or corded power.
Cons: Reasonable frequency response, but not quite as smooth as some of the top-ranked speakers in this size. No custom EQ.
Full onn Portable FM Boombox review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.8" x 5.9" x 7.7" (350 x 149 x 195 mm) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 2 speakers |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | Yes (10 presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Output Power | 25W RMS (100W peak) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Sync, pairs with 1 other onn. speaker) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs / 2.22 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons