Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 for the higher ranking, the Minirig mk4 with subwoofer for the lower price. The JBL Xtreme 5 ranks #2 of 75 large speakers at $349.95. The Minirig mk4 with subwoofer ranks #5 at $290, $59.95 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Xtreme 5: Removable battery. Set against that: High priced.
What the Minirig mk4 with subwoofer gets right: Very balanced sound. The catch: Not stereo, app is buggy.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Minirig mk4 with subwoofer if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Minirig mk4 with subwoofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $290 |
| Ranked | #2 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #5 of 75 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | Splash resistant |
| Max Volume | 110dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg | 3.2 lbs / 1.44 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 4.0" diameter x 2.9" H (101.6 x 73mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 70mm custom driver |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 18kHz (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 | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 0ms |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 60ms |
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 Marshall Middleton
- 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
Minirig mk4 with subwoofer: $290 Minirigs
Pros: Very balanced sound. Finally USB-C charging
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
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 0ms |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 60ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Dimensions | 4.0" diameter x 2.9" H (101.6 x 73mm) |
| Drivers | 70mm custom driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 18kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | Splash resistant |
| Output Power | 50W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes (Bluetooth or cable) |
| Weight | 3.2 lbs / 1.44 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Minirigs 4 with Sub 4 vs JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st impressions
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 2.1 or the Brane X or the Harman Kardon Go Play 3?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Game changer! Minirig wireless portable subwoofer mk4 goes boom!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Minirig 4 vs Minirig 3, stuff they tell you, stuff they don’t! 😂
- Beautiful Zar DJ: MINIRIG 4 Vs MINIRIG 3 (50-100%Volume Audio Test)
- Alan Ross Reviews: A true story: Minirigs 4 with Sub 4 vs JBL Xtreme 5 - 1st impressions
- 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.