Short answer: the Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus. It ranks #21 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the JBL Charge 5 Wifi ranks #25 and costs $250, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus: Use Xbass mode for flattest frequency response. The tradeoff: Slightly less deep bass than the best in category.
On the JBL Charge 5 Wifi side: Has Wifi. Set against that: Not stereo.
Buy the Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge 5 Wifi and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus | JBL Charge 5 Wifi | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $250 |
| Ranked | #21 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #25 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes (dual microphones) |
| EQ | No | Yes (3 band) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 99dB |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 595 g | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 44mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Output Power | 24W | 40W |
| Dimensions | 2.6" x 7.8" x 2.7" (65 x 198 x 68 mm) (2.56 x 7.79 x 2.68 inches) | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | No |
| Wifi | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | AAC, SBC |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
| Streaming Services | - | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus: $79.99 Amazon
Pros: Use Xbass mode for flattest frequency response. V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus sound exactly the same.
Cons: Slightly less deep bass than the best in category.
Full Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 160ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 2.6" x 7.8" x 2.7" (65 x 198 x 68 mm) (2.56 x 7.79 x 2.68 inches) |
| Drivers | 2x 44mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 24W |
| Power Bank | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 595 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: All Tribit Speakers Compared - Maxsound Plus, Stormbox, Xsound Go, Maxboom
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- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Maxsound Plus v1 vs V2 - upgraded Maxsound Plus tested! 🏅
- Reddit Search for Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus vs Tribit Xsound Mega
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- Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus vs B&O Beosound A1 2nd gen
- Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus vs Soundcore Motion 300
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JBL Charge 5 Wifi: $250 Amazon
Pros: Has Wifi. Sounds exactly the same as the non-Wifi version
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive. No party mode on the wifi version
Full JBL Charge 5 Wifi review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 97 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes (3 band) |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa Multi-Room Music |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1000 g |
| Wifi | Yes |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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