Short answer: the JBL Xtreme. It ranks #52 of 77 large speakers by sound quality at $200; the B&O Beosound Level ranks #60 and costs $2250, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the JBL Xtreme: 15 hour battery. The tradeoff: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes.
What the B&O Beosound Level gets right: Premium Scandinavian design with elegant domestic sculpture aesthetic. The catch: Not very deep bass, peaks in midrange.
Buy the JBL Xtreme. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beosound Level and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the B&O Beosound Level. It ranks near the bottom of the 77 large speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Xtreme at IPX7 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the B&O Beosound Level at IP54 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme | B&O Beosound Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 Discontinued | $2,250.00 |
| Ranked | #52 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #60 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Max Volume | 96dB | 96dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect) | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| App | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP54 |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Drivers | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters | 2x 102mm woofers, 1x 51mm fullrange, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Dimensions | 11.1" x 5" x 4.8" (283 x 126 x 122 mm) | 13.7" x 9.1" x 2.2" (348 x 230 x 56 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | 40W | 105W |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~60Hz |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme: $200 Discontinued
Pros: 15 hour battery. IPX7 water resistance. JBL Connect for pairing with other JBL speakers. Built-in microphone for calls.
Cons: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes. An older speaker outclassed by newer releases of the Xtreme. External AC power brick for charging. Discontinued.
Full JBL Xtreme review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1" x 5" x 4.8" (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs / 2.4 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
B&O Beosound Level: $2,250.00 Amazon
Pros: Premium Scandinavian design with elegant domestic sculpture aesthetic. Battery, WiFi, and Bluetooth enable AC/portable use, upright/flat/wall-mount positioning. Modular design with upgradeable wireless module, sound processing, and battery. 16-hour battery with quick-connect Mag-Safe rear charging puck. 105W output.
Cons: Not very deep bass, peaks in midrange. Hugely expensive.
Full B&O Beosound Level review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~60Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.7" x 9.1" x 2.2" (348 x 230 x 56 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 102mm woofers, 1x 51mm fullrange, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 39Hz - 23kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Max Volume | 96dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 105W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs / 3.3 kg |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- B&O Beosound Level vs Soundcore Rave Neo
- B&O Beosound Level vs Sony SRS-XG300
- B&O Beosound Level vs Klipsch Detroit
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