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 ranks #26 and costs $134.95, 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 side: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. 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 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Buy the Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus at Amazon ($79.99) →Buy the JBL Charge 5 at Amazon ($134.95) →
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus | JBL Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $134.95 |
| Ranked | #21 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 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 | 125ms |
| Max Volume | 99dB | 99dB |
| Power Bank | No | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs / 595 g | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.1 |
| 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 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | AAC, SBC |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Power Input | - | USB-C |
Buy the Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus at Amazon ($79.99) →Buy the JBL Charge 5 at Amazon ($134.95) →
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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 |
Check current price at Amazon ($79.99) →Search eBay for Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus →
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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JBL Charge 5: $134.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Doubles as a power bank (USB-A out) for charging your phone. IP67 rated, survives a 1m dunk for 30 minutes. ~20 hour battery life.
Cons: Not stereo. Warm sound. Shouty upper mids. Boosted bass. Slightly rolled off treble. Overly expensive.
Full JBL Charge 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 125ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes (dual microphones) |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 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 | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 960 g |
Check current price at Amazon ($134.95) →Check current price at Bhphotovideo →Search eBay for JBL Charge 5 →
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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