Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 for better sound quality, the Harman Kardon Citation 200 for the lower price. The JBL Xtreme 5 ranks #2 of 77 large speakers at $299. The Harman Kardon Citation 200 ranks #13 at $130, $169 cheaper.
What the JBL Xtreme 5 offers: Removable battery. Watch for: High priced.
The case for the Harman Kardon Citation 200: Deeper bass than any Onyx. The tradeoff: Overly boomy by default, you can short press the Bluetooth and volume down buttons simultaneously to decrease the bass, and the Bluetooth and volume up buttons simultaneously to increase it.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Harman Kardon Citation 200 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Xtreme 5 is rated for 28 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Citation 200.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Xtreme 5 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Citation 200 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Harman Kardon Citation 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #13 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Harman Kardon app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg | 6.3 lbs / 2.85 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 7" x 8.6" x 6.8" (178 x 219 x 172 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 5" woofer, 1" tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output 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) | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
| USB Playback | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 5: $299.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output 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) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone🔈3DAudio🎧& Music: JBL Xtreme 5 - universal EQ for best sound overall
- 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
- 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? 🤔
- Reddit Search for JBL Xtreme 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Harman Kardon Citation 200: $130 Discontinued
Pros: Deeper bass than any Onyx.
Cons: Overly boomy by default, you can short press the Bluetooth and volume down buttons simultaneously to decrease the bass, and the Bluetooth and volume up buttons simultaneously to increase it. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Citation 200 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Harman Kardon app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 8.6" x 6.8" (178 x 219 x 172 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 5" woofer, 1" tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6.3 lbs / 2.85 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Beolit 20 with Sound Comparison!
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs JBL Xtreme3 Sound & Bass test
- Ezekielo: Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 6 vs Bose Portable Speaker Sound Comparison
- KULAS TECH SHOW: Harman Kardon Citation 200 vs Onyx Studio 7 Bass comparison
- Reddit Search for Harman Kardon Citation 200 Review
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