Short answer: the Sony SRS-XB43 on price, the JBL Xtreme 2 on bass balance. The Xtreme 2’s four drivers give it a refined bass balance closer to studio monitors than typical portables, but it needs an external AC power brick for charging and costs $49.99 more. The XB43 delivers full, warm sound with deep, rich bass, though it isn’t as loud as others in the category.
Buy the Sony SRS-XB43 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Tribit Stormbox Lava instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony SRS-XB43 | JBL Xtreme 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $150 Discontinued | $199.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #50 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #53 of 93 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) | No |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm) | 11.3” x 5.4” x 4.2” (287 x 137 x 107 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS | 40W RMS |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sony SRS-XB43:
- Sony SRS-XB43 vs Vifa Helsinki
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Sony SRS-XB43
- Sony SRS-XB43 vs Brane X
- Sony SRS-XB43 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
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
Sony SRS-XB43: $150 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 5, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5.
Pros: Full, warm sound with deep, rich bass. Twin passive radiators deliver Extra Bass impact. IPX7 waterproof and rugged. Up to 24 hour battery (14 hours with lights on). Party lights for visual appeal. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not as loud as others in the category. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.
Setup: Try out +3 +6 +3 as an EQ to get it as flat as possible as mentioned in the Alan Ross video
Full Sony SRS-XB43 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 32W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Sony Music Center App) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 85ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 4.8” x 4.6” (325 x 123 x 117 mm) |
| Drivers | 63mm woofer + 12.5mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ? More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Charge 5 vs Motion Boom vs Sony XB43 - a step to far? 🤪
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb33 vs xb43 vs Soundcore Motion Plus speakers test
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal. More from DLXWillington →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Xtreme 2: $199.99 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5.
Pros: Four drivers with refined bass balance, closer to studio monitors than typical portables. IPX7 water-resistant. Amazing real-world battery: ~20 hours at 75dB (vs 15hr claim). USB-A port charges other devices. Optional carry strap. Measured bass extension of 54Hz (-10dB).
Cons: External AC power brick for charging. Boosted bass. Treble harsh at high volumes. Discontinued.
Full JBL Xtreme 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 40W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.3” x 5.4” x 4.2” (287 x 137 x 107 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 98dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King D8 speaker review 50 watts power against JBL xtreme 2 and soundcore Motion plus More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 vs JBL Xtreme 3, Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1! Xtreme Review 🤓
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs JBL Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1 - review and sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Sony xb43 JBL Xtreme 2 W-King d8 Dockin D Fine
- Ezekielo: JBL Xtreme 2 vs Sonos Move with Sound Comparison
- HT Sound: Devialet Mania VS JBL Xtreme 2 - 60% Vol (Listen with headphones)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons