Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega for the lower price. The JBL Xtreme 5 ranks #2 of 77 large speakers at $299. The Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega ranks #73 at $249, $50 cheaper.
What the JBL Xtreme 5 gets right: 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. The catch: High priced. Some bass boost. A hole in the mid-upper bass which can’t be EQ’d out.
The case for the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega: 80W power with 105dB output, BassUp technology for body-shaking bass. 20,000mAh battery for 24 hours claimed (18 hours for Trance variant). The tradeoff: Hugely recessed mids and treble.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega. It ranks near the bottom of the 77 large speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Xtreme 5 is rated for 28 hours versus 18 hours for the Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $249 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #73 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 97dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 13.6" x 6.5" x 6.1" (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 7" x 7" x 13.3" (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 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) | 80W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 63Hz |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 21, 2026 at 5:30 AM 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: $299.00 Amazon Bhphotovideo 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 →
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| 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 (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? 🤔
- Reddit Search for JBL Xtreme 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega: $249 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 80W power with 105dB output, BassUp technology for body-shaking bass. 20,000mAh battery for 24 hours claimed (18 hours for Trance variant). IPX7 waterproof with LED light show. USB port charges devices. Soundcore app with EQ customization, multipoint pairing, can link speakers for Party Mode.
Cons: Hugely recessed mids and treble. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Trance/Rave Mega review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 63Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7" x 7" x 13.3" (179 x 177 x 339 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 1x 133mm woofer, 1x 51mm tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 97dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 80W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs / 3.5 kg |
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