Short answer: the Soundcore Motion X500. It ranks #27 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 4.1/5) at $99.99 and is still sold new; the JBL Xtreme ranks #72 (rated 3.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The JBL Xtreme’s replacement, the JBL Xtreme 5, is rated 4.6/5 at $349.99.
The Soundcore Motion X500 is the better-sounding, louder option. 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). Alan Ross Reviews measured it at 104dB at full volume, against 96dB for the JBL Xtreme. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Xtreme lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Xtreme lacks. The catch: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit.
Why pick the JBL Xtreme: 15 hour battery. It links with other speakers (Connect), which the Soundcore Motion X500 cannot. Watch for: Issues with bass distortion at high volumes.
Buy the Soundcore Motion X500. It is rated higher for sound quality; the JBL Xtreme is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Motion X500 | JBL Xtreme | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #27 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #72 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | 96dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Connect) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 8” x 3.2” (220 x 202 x 81 mm) | 11.1” x 5” x 4.8” (283 x 126 x 122 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3”) forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7”) upward-firing driver | 2x 63mm woofers, 2x 35mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 70Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Soundcore Motion X500:
- Vifa Helsinki vs Soundcore Motion X500
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Soundcore Motion X500
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Tribit Stormbox Lava
- Brane X vs Soundcore Motion X500
- Minirig 4 with subwoofer vs Soundcore Motion X500
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Soundcore Motion X500: $99.99 Amazon $99.99 eBay
Same family: the Soundcore Motion 100 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5), the Soundcore Motion 300 (smaller model, rated 4.5/5) and the Soundcore Motion X600 (larger model, ranked higher, rated 4.3/5). See every Soundcore Motion generation.
Pros: 40W stereo with 3-driver layout (two tweeters + woofer). IPX7 weatherproof rating. Compact and very portable. Fine build quality at this price. Spatial Dynamic mode provides immersive sound. Gets close to 12 hour battery claim. Measured bass extension of 48Hz (-10dB).
Cons: A little bright on top, a custom EQ can flatten things out a bit. Peaks at 250Hz and dip at 1kHz
Full Soundcore Motion X500 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2023 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | LDAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 8” x 3.2” (220 x 202 x 81 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 58mm (2.3”) forward-firing full-range drivers + 1x 43mm (1.7”) upward-firing driver |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Sonos Move 2
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Onn Portable FM Boombox
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Bose SoundLink Plus
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Sonos Move
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Bogasing S8 Pro Max
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Marshall Middleton II
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Teufel Rockster Cross
- Soundcore Motion X500 vs Mee Audio PartySPKR
- See all 50 comparisons
JBL Xtreme: $200 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the JBL Xtreme 5, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5, released Apr 2026. See every JBL Xtreme generation.
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 →
| Released | Sep 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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