Short answer: the Soundcore Rave Neo 2. It ranks #20 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $119.29; 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 and slightly deeper bass than the Xtreme 3. The catch: it’s high priced, has some bass boost and an upper-bass-to-midrange dip that can’t be EQ’d out, plus some upper-mid and treble boost at high levels.
What the Soundcore Rave Neo 2 gets right: a big step up in sound quality over the original Rave Neo, with bass-up available at higher volumes (best left off at lower volumes). Set against that: a slight treble rolloff.
Buy the Soundcore Rave Neo 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 4 | Soundcore Rave Neo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 | $119.29 |
| Ranked | #37 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #20 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (5 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms | - |
| Max Volume | 106dB | 107dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg | 7.9 lbs / 3.6 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.9" x 5.6" (297 x 149 x 141 mm) | 7.8" x 6.1" x 11.8" (198 x 154 x 299 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 4" woofer, 2x 2" tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 100W | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 44Hz |
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
Soundcore Rave Neo 2: $119.29 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: A big improvement in sound quality over the original Rave Neo. Use bass up at higher volumes, but turn it off for lower volumes.
Cons: Slight treble rolloff
Full Soundcore Rave Neo 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 6.1" x 11.8" (198 x 154 x 299 mm) |
| Drivers | 4" woofer, 2x 2" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 107dB |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0 up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.9 lbs / 3.6 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Rave To The Max With The Soundcore Rave Neo 2! 👆
- Technoid: Soundcore Rave Neo 2 Review - Get the Grill & Pool Ready!!
- Flossy Carter: Soundcore Rave Neo 2 / Rave Party 2 - Affordable Party Speakers with RGB Lights
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Rave Party 2 🎇 & Rave Neo 2 🎉 Head to Head Off The Floor. A Family Battle❗️
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: $350 Ultimate Ears EpicBoom gets Epic Beat-Down 😮by $120 Soundcore Rave Neo 2. Bluetooth Speaker KO🤛
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Rave Neo 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons