Short answer: the Klipsch Detroit for detail, the JBL Xtreme for battery life. The Detroit’s dual 1-inch tweeters and 3-inch woofers deliver excellent sound detail and robust bass, but its upper bass is weirdly boosted and its bass is not very deep. The Xtreme offers a 15-hour battery against issues with bass distortion at high volumes.
Buy the Klipsch Detroit new; the JBL Xtreme is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme | Klipsch Detroit | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 Discontinued | $235.15 |
| Ranked | #63 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #66 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 93dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect) | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters | 2x 76mm fullrange, 2x 25mm tweeters |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 5” x 4.8” (283 x 126 x 122 mm) | 13.1” x 4.2” x 4.7” (334 x 107 x 119 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 30W RMS |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~55Hz |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable strap) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 2, 2026 at 10:18 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: $200 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| 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) |
| Drivers | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Klipsch Detroit: $235.15 Amazon eBay
Pros: Dual 1” tweeters + 3” woofers deliver excellent sound detail and robust bass. IP67 dust/waterproof rating submersible 1m for 30 min. 20-hour battery life at moderate volume (12-15 hours at high volume). USB-C fast-charge in 2 hours with two-way power for device charging. Measured bass extension of ~55Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Weird boosted upper bass, bass not very deep. Boosted lower treble, somewhat harsh sounding like most other Klipsch speakers. Not very loud.
Full Klipsch Detroit review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 13.1” x 4.2” x 4.7” (334 x 107 x 119 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm fullrange, 2x 25mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 93dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Broadcast Mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 10W) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Walts TV: The Austin NEW Klipsch Bluetooth Speaker Review + Sound Test More from Williston Audio Labs →
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