JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus

Last updated: September 8, 2026

Short answer: the Xtreme 5 if the budget allows it. These rank #2 and #28 out of 75 portable speakers, with the Xtreme 5 at $399.95 costing $219.96 more than the Boom 2 Plus’s $179.99.

Bass depth and cleanliness are the Xtreme 5’s headline strength. Its pros describe quite deep bass reaching well below 40Hz, excellent off-axis dispersion, and it specifically beats the Soundcore Boom 2 on bass depth and clarity, playing clean at volume where the JBL Boombox 4 doesn’t. Its cons temper that: it carries some bass boost, has a hole in the mid-upper bass that can’t be EQ’d out, and its default EQ presets are weak, needing a custom EQ to sound its best.

The Boom 2 Plus is lighter and more approachable but rougher tonally. Its cons describe a warm tuning with rolled off treble and some upper bass boost, though its own notes say it should improve once a better EQ tune is available. It is notably lighter than most boombox size speakers, which matters if you’re carrying it often.

Buy the Xtreme 5 for the better bass extension, cleaner output at volume, and a removable battery, if you can pay the premium.

Buy the Boom 2 Plus if you want a lighter, cheaper boombox speaker and are willing to EQ it or wait for tuning improvements.

Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 at Amazon ($399.95) →Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at Amazon ($179.99) →

JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Xtreme 5 Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
Price$399.95$179.99
Ranked#2 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#28 of 75 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
AppYesYes
Aux InputNoYes
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
EQYes (7 band)Yes (Pro EQ + presets)
IP RatingIP68IPX7
Max Volume110dB111dB
Party ModeYes (Auracast)Yes (PartyCast 2.0)
Power BankYes (USB-C, 5V/3A)Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-CUSB-C
Removable BatteryYes-
TWSYesYes
Weight6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LC3SBC, AAC
Built in MicrophoneNoYes
StereoPartially (1 woofer)Yes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Bluetooth Version6.0-
Dimensions13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm)17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm)
Drivers98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters
Frequency Response40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)-
Output Power1 x 90W RMS Woofer + 2 x 20W RMS Tweeter (AC power mode) 1 x 60W RMS Woofer + 2 x 15W RMS Tweeter (Battery mode)140W
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)No
Bass Extension (-10dB)-39Hz
MicroSD Playback-No
USB Playback-No
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 at Amazon ($399.95) →Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus at Amazon ($179.99) →

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

Prices on this page were last checked September 8, 2026 at 6:02 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

JBL Xtreme 5 ranking card

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 →

AppYes
Aux InputNo
Battery Life28 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC, LC3
Bluetooth Version6.0
Built in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputYes (USB-C)
Dimensions13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm)
Drivers98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators
EQYes (7 band)
Frequency Response40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP68
Max Volume110dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power1 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 ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-C, 5V/3A)
Power InputUSB-C
Removable BatteryYes
StereoPartially (1 woofer)
TWSYes
Weight6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($399.95) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for JBL Xtreme 5 →

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: $179.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay

Soundcore Boom 2 Plus ranking card

Pros: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. This speaker will likely move up as we get a good EQ tune that makes it a lot more neutral.

Cons: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost. Reasonably deep bass, but not as good as the top ranked.

Full Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review and specifications →

AppYes
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)39Hz
Battery Life20 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Built in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm)
Drivers2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters
EQYes (Pro EQ + presets)
IP RatingIPX7
Max Volume111dB
MicroSD PlaybackNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power140W
Party ModeYes (PartyCast 2.0)
Power BankYes (USB-C, 5V/2A)
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($179.99) →Check current price at B&H Photo Video →Search eBay for Soundcore Boom 2 Plus →