Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 for the higher ranking, the Marshall Middleton for the lower price. The JBL Xtreme 5 ranks #2 of 75 large speakers at $349.95. The Marshall Middleton ranks #30 at $238.99, $110.96 cheaper.
On the JBL Xtreme 5 side: Removable battery. The catch: High priced.
The case for the Marshall Middleton: Very deep bass for the size/weight. The catch: 5db dip at 1.7khz and 6.3khz.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Marshall Middleton if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Marshall Middleton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $238.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #30 of 75 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 |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 99dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| USB Audio | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz |
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 5: $349.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Removable battery. Quite deep bass. A fantastic sounding speaker
Cons: High priced. Some bass boost. A hole in the mid-upper bass which can’t be EQ’d out
Setup: Try this Oluv EQ for the most neutral sound
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Audio | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg |
- 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? 🤔
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 4
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Brane X
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Bose SoundLink Max
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Laney F67
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Marshall Middleton II
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Sony ULT Field 5
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs JBL Xtreme 3
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Klipsch Detroit
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Marshall Kilburn II
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig mk3 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig mk4 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig mk2 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Rocksteady Stadium Speakers and Subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Sonos Move 2
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Sony SRS-XG300
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Ultimate Ears Epicboom
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Vifa Oslo
- Links
Marshall Middleton: $238.99 Amazon
Pros: Very deep bass for the size/weight.
Cons: 5db dip at 1.7khz and 6.3khz. 9khz treble peak. Not a very smooth frequency response. A lot of Marshall’s added dsp echo which cannot be turned off, very distracting and annoying. It’s like forcing you to listen to your music in an echo chamber. Bass is reasonably deep but artificial sounding and flabby, with no attack and no dynamics. Treble is rolled off.
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 3.7" x 4.3" (230 x 95 x 109 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 75mm woofers, 2x 0.625" tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Marshall Stack) |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.8 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: 3 minutes ago….. Marshall Middleton Review, true stereophonic, no honestly 😊
- Mateusz Cholewa: BOGASING S8 Pro MAX HiFi ?🆚 MARSHALL🎸MIDDELTON
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Middleton👌🎶 🆚 JBL Xtreme 4 🎶📢
- Oluv Patreon: Marshall Middleton - first impressions
- Danny Pops: Is it Any Good? - Marshall Middleton Review
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Middleton vs Klipsch Detroit
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
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Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.