Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 for deep bass, the Doss Soundbox XL for a cheap feature set. The Xtreme 5 has a removable battery, reaches well below 40Hz and disperses well off-axis, though it is high priced with bass boost and an uncorrectable mid-upper bass hole. The Soundbox XL brings 32W output, 100dB max volume, a 10 hour battery, IPX4 splashproofing and MicroSD support, but it sounds a little hollow.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Doss Soundbox XL if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Battery life favors the JBL Xtreme 5: rated for 28 hours against 10 hours for the Doss Soundbox XL.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Xtreme 5 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Doss Soundbox XL at IPX4 (splashing).
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Doss Soundbox XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $75.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | AC Power brick |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 1.2 lbs (557 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 4.0 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 11.8” x 2.6” x 5.2” (300 x 66 x 132 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 76mm subwoofer, 2x 50mm fullrange |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) | 32W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 55Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig 3 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 5: $399.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the JBL Xtreme 3 (ranked lower, rated 4.3/5), the JBL Xtreme 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5), the JBL Xtreme 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (ranked lower, rated 3.2/5).
Pros: Removable battery. Quite deep bass, reaching well below 40Hz. A fantastic sounding speaker with excellent off-axis dispersion, a big step up from older JBL portables. Beats the Soundcore Boom 2 and Tribit Stormbox Blast on bass depth and clarity. Plays clean at volume, unlike the JBL Boombox 4.
Cons: High priced. Some bass boost. A hole in the mid-upper bass which can’t be EQ’d out. Default EQ presets are weak (Signature is boring, Chill and Vocal are close to unusable): needs the custom EQ to sound its best. Bigger and heavier than the Xtreme 4.
Setup: Try this Oluv EQ for the most neutral sound
Full JBL Xtreme 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - universal EQ for best sound overall More from Oluv’Sone →
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - Best Bluetooth Speaker 2026 award
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 vs Studio Monitors: too V-shaped or not to V-shaped, that’s the question!
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - outdoor test
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: Minirigs 4 with Sub 4 vs JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st impressions
- Oluv Patreon: VIFA Helsinki & JBL Xtreme 5 - listening test
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st detailed impression with custom EQs
- Oluv Patreon: JBL Xtreme 5 - outdoor test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5: Maximum Bass, No Mercy More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 2026, massive upgrade over JBL Xtreme 4! Full tests!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4 in 2026
- Alan Ross Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ImoaGw3t0
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 5 or the amazing Tribit Stormbox Blast? 🤔
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Kilburn III vs JBL Xtreme 5 (Verion Outdoor) More from storytripperhd →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Doss Soundbox XL: $75.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: 32W output power, 100dB max volume, 10-hour battery life, IPX4 splashproof, MicroSD card slot, dual woofer setup with subwoofer, built-in microphone, TWS pairing support. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: A little hollow sounding.
Full Doss Soundbox XL review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 32W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8” x 2.6” x 5.2” (300 x 66 x 132 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 76mm subwoofer, 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Maximum SPL | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (557 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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