Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5 for features, the Teufel Rockster Cross for neutrality. The Rockster Cross has a pretty neutral frequency response, though its outdoor mode sounds somewhat harsh from a 4kHz peak. The Xtreme 5’s draw is a removable battery, against a high price and some bass boost.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $149.96 with the Teufel Rockster Cross does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
There is a real battery-life gap here: the JBL Xtreme 5 is rated for 28 hours, the Teufel Rockster Cross only 16 hours.
Water resistance is not close: the JBL Xtreme 5 is rated at IP68 (extended submersion), well ahead of the Teufel Rockster Cross at IPX5 (water jets).
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Teufel Rockster Cross | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $249.99 |
| Ranked | #2 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #23 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX5 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | DC barrel jack |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, aptX |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 15” x 6.3” x 5.1” (380 x 160 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 5” woofer, 2x 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) | 30W |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 51Hz |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 (ranked lower, rated 4.3/5), the JBL Xtreme 4 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5), the JBL Xtreme 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the JBL Xtreme (ranked lower, 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 | Yes |
| 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? 🤔
- Storytripper HD: Marshall Kilburn III vs JBL Xtreme 5 (Verion Outdoor) More from storytripperhd →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Teufel Rockster Cross: $249.99 Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Teufel Rockster Cross 2, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5.
Pros: Pretty neutral frequency response. More vocal/midrange-focused than the JBL Xtreme 4, thanks to a larger mid/bass driver: better suited to rock and jazz. Nicer upper-bass detail than the JBL Xtreme 4. Punchy, well-controlled bass that suits rock music, unlike the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus’s overboosted, uncontrolled bass even at stock tuning. Clear, detailed audio with good vocal presence and solid Bluetooth codec support even a couple years after release. Measured bass extension of 51Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Outdoor mode can sound somewhat harsh due to the 4kHz peak. Not as deep or full-sounding in the bass as the JBL Xtreme 4.
Full Teufel Rockster Cross review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 51Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 15” x 6.3” x 5.1” (380 x 160 x 130 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer, 2x textile dome tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | DC barrel jack |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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