Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 is the stronger all-round performer. It has a removable battery, reaches well below 40Hz, beats the Soundcore Boom 2 on bass depth and clarity and plays clean at volume unlike the JBL Boombox 4, though its default EQ presets are weak. The Marshall Middleton reaches very deep bass for its size, but a 5dB dip at 1.7kHz and 6.3kHz plus a 9kHz treble peak keep its response uneven, and its DSP echo effect can distract.
Xtreme 5 has a removable battery and reaches well below 40Hz with excellent off-axis dispersion, beating rivals like the Soundcore Boom 2 on bass depth and clarity and playing clean at volume unlike the JBL Boombox 4, though its default EQ presets are weak and it needs a custom EQ to sound its best.
Middleton reaches very deep bass for its size and weight, but a 5dB dip at 1.7kHz and 6.3kHz plus a 9kHz treble peak keep its response uneven, and Marshall’s non-defeatable DSP echo effect can be distracting.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 if you want the stronger all-round performer and don’t mind dialing in a custom EQ. Buy the Marshall Middleton if the smaller size and lower price matter more and you can tolerate Marshall’s DSP echo effect.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Prices on this page were last checked November 7, 2026 at 7:34 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Marshall Middleton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $257.52 |
| Ranked | #2 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #33 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 4 lbs (1.8 kg) |
| 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 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 9.1” x 3.7” x 4.3” (230 x 95 x 109 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625” tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 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) | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (detachable strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 39Hz |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Xtreme 5 compares with other leading options: