Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 for a complete package, the Minirig 2 with subwoofer for balanced sound. The Xtreme 5 offers a removable battery but is high priced at $399.95. The Minirig setup sounds very balanced, but it is not stereo and its app is buggy.
The case for the JBL Xtreme 5: Removable battery. Set against that: High priced.
What the Minirig mk2 with subwoofer gets right: Very balanced sound. Set against that: Not stereo, app is buggy.
Worth knowing: the Minirig 2 with subwoofer is discontinued, though it still ranks #7 of 78 large speakers by sound quality, so a used unit beats most of what is still sold new.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $139.95 you would save on the Minirig 2 with subwoofer does not close the gap.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Xtreme 5 at IP68 (extended submersion) holds up far better than the Minirig 2 with subwoofer at Splash resistant (splashing).
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Minirig 2 with subwoofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $260 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #7 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | Splash resistant |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Proprietary USB cable |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (cable) |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 3 lbs (1.36 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 4" x 8.6" (101.6 x 219 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 74mm custom driver |
| Frequency Response | 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) | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 47Hz |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Xtreme 5 compares with other leading options:
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Brane X vs JBL Xtreme 5
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Minirig 3 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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
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 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) |
| 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? 🤔
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Minirig 2 with subwoofer: $260 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Very balanced sound. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not stereo, app is buggy. Wireless TWS pairing is buggy. Not easy to carry on the go, no handle and there’s 2 pieces. Calls itself splash resistant but has no official water rating. A bit expensive. Has reliability issues more often than any other speaker. Discontinued.
Full Minirig 2 with subwoofer review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4" x 8.6" (101.6 x 219 mm) (diameter x height) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 74mm custom driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Proprietary USB cable |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes (cable) |
| Weight | 3 lbs (1.36 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Minirig 2 with subwoofer vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
- Minirig 2 with subwoofer vs Sony ULT Field 5
- Minirig 2 with subwoofer vs Dali Katch G2
- Minirig 2 with subwoofer vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
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- See all 9 comparisons