Short answer: the Teufel Rockster Cross. It ranks #21 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $199.99; the JBL Xtreme 4 ranks #37 and costs $380, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Xtreme 4 gets right: A removable battery, slightly deeper bass than the Xtreme 3, and a custom EQ available online for the best sound quality. Set against that: 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.
The case for the Teufel Rockster Cross: A pretty neutral frequency response, a more vocal and midrange-focused sound than the Xtreme 4 thanks to a larger mid/bass driver that suits rock and jazz, nicer upper-bass detail than the Xtreme 4, punchy and well-controlled bass unlike the overboosted, uncontrolled bass of the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus, and clear, detailed audio with solid Bluetooth codec support even years after release. The catch: outdoor mode can sound somewhat harsh due to a 4kHz peak, and bass doesn’t go quite as deep or full as the Xtreme 4’s.
Buy the Teufel Rockster Cross. 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 Teufel Rockster Cross.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 4 | Teufel Rockster Cross | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380 | $199.99 |
| Ranked | #37 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #21 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 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 220ms | - |
| Max Volume | 106dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC barrel jack |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs / 2.1 kg | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.9" x 5.6" (297 x 149 x 141 mm) | 15" x 6.3" x 5.1" (380 x 160 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 19mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 5" woofer, 2x textile dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 44Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 100W | 30W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 51Hz |
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
Teufel Rockster Cross: $199.99 Amazon
Pros: Pretty neutral frequency response. More vocal/midrange-focused than the JBL Xtreme 4, thanks to a larger mid/bass driver - better suited to rock and jazz. Nicer upper-bass detail than the JBL Xtreme 4. Punchy, well-controlled bass that suits rock music, unlike the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus’s overboosted, uncontrolled bass even at stock tuning. Clear, detailed audio with good vocal presence and solid Bluetooth codec support even a couple years after release.
Cons: Outdoor mode can sound somewhat harsh due to the 4khz peak. Not as deep or full-sounding in the bass as the JBL Xtreme 4.
Full Teufel Rockster Cross review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 51Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15" x 6.3" x 5.1" (380 x 160 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" woofer, 2x textile dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | DC barrel jack |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons