Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5. It ranks #2 of 82 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.6/5); the Teufel Rockster Cross 2 ranks #22 (rated 4.2/5).
The Xtreme 5 goes deeper and louder. It reaches well below 40Hz with excellent off-axis dispersion and measured about 110dB. The Rockster Cross 2 uses the same drivers as the original Cross, which reaches about 51Hz, and it measured about 101dB with EQ.
The Cross 2 lasts longer and keeps an aux input. It claims 38 hours, or 46 in Eco Mode, against 28 for the Xtreme 5, and has a 3.5mm aux input and a USB-C sound card. The Xtreme 5 has no aux input. The Cross 2 is also lighter, at 2.4 kg against 2.9 kg.
Toughness favors the JBL. The Xtreme 5 is IP68 and has a removable battery. The Cross 2 is only IPX5, which covers water jets but not submersion.
Tuning: the Xtreme 5 needs its custom EQ to sound its best, and has a hole in the upper bass that EQ cannot fix. The Cross 2’s app EQ adds noticeable bass punch, but its bass and treble controls are limited.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Teufel Rockster Cross 2.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Teufel Rockster Cross 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | €249.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 82 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (Teufel Go) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 38 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (bass and treble, presets) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 101dB (measured by M1M Tech Channel) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes (Party Link Stereo) |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 15.4” x 5.9” x 5.1” (390 x 150 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 120mm woofer, 2x 20mm textile dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 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 RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Xtreme 5:
- 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 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
Older models: the JBL Xtreme 3 (rated 4.3/5), the JBL Xtreme 4 (rated 3.8/5), the JBL Xtreme 2 (rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (rated 3.2/5).
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) |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| 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
Teufel Rockster Cross 2: €249.99 Teufel eBay
Older model: the Teufel Rockster Cross (rated 4.2/5).
Pros: Keeps the original Rockster Cross’s sound, which was fairly neutral and vocal focused with punchy, well controlled bass, and the new Teufel Go app EQ gets noticeably more bass punch out of it than the original could manage. Claimed battery life more than doubles to 38 hours, or 46 in Eco Mode. USB-C charging with a power bank output and a built-in USB-C sound card, a 3.5mm aux input, multipoint pairing, AAC, and Party Link for a true stereo pair or up to 100 current Teufel speakers.
Cons: It uses the same drivers and amplifier as the 2018 original, so without EQ the two sound almost identical, even at maximum volume, and it measured about the same 101dB. In a direct comparison it struggles somewhat against the Soundcore Boom 2. aptX was dropped, water protection is still only IPX5 (water jets, not submersion), Party Link does not work with the original Cross, and the app’s bass and treble controls are limited. It is not sold in the US.
Full Teufel Rockster Cross 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Teufel Go) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 38 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 15.4” x 5.9” x 5.1” (390 x 150 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 120mm woofer, 2x 20mm textile dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (bass and treble, presets) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 101dB (measured by M1M Tech Channel) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Link, up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| TWS | Yes (Party Link Stereo) |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Teufel Rockster Cross 2 vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- Teufel Rockster Cross 2 vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Teufel Rockster Cross 2 vs Bose SoundLink Max
- Teufel Rockster Cross 2 vs Marshall Middleton II
- Teufel Rockster Cross 2 vs Marshall Stockwell II
- Teufel Rockster Cross 2 vs Soundcore Boom 2
- Teufel Rockster Cross 2 vs Marshall Middleton
- Teufel Rockster Cross 2 vs JBL Xtreme 4
- See all 14 comparisons