Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 5. It ranks #2 of 120 large speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $399.95. The Turtlebox Cub ranks #85, rated 3.0/5, at $330, $69.95 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Xtreme 5 is the proven speaker. It reaches well below 40Hz with excellent off-axis dispersion, plays clean at volume and measured about 110dB. The Cub has only listening impressions so far: loud for its size, warm and bass-forward, with some bass loss at high volume.
Toughness: the Xtreme 5 is IP68 with a removable battery. The Cub is IP67, crush and drop resistant, with stainless steel tie-downs.
Battery and features: a claimed 28 hours for the Xtreme 5 against 14+ for the Cub. The Xtreme 5 has a 7-band app EQ, Auracast and partial stereo from two tweeters. The Cub is mono with Party Mode and stereo pairing. Both have a USB-C power bank.
Size: 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) for the Xtreme 5, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) for the Cub.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $69.95 saving on the Turtlebox Cub is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 5 | Turtlebox Cub | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $330.00 |
| Ranked | #2 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #85 of 120 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 14+ hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (Party Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/3A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| 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 | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 13.6” x 6.5” x 6.1” (346 x 165 x 155 mm) | 8.6”H x 7.2”W x 5.7”D (218 x 183 x 146 mm) |
| Drivers | 98x145mm woofer, 2x 20mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 4.5” (114mm) woofer + 1x 1.3” (33mm) titanium tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 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) | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
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