Short answer: the Tribit Xsound Mega. It ranks #20 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $116.70; the JBL Pulse 5 ranks #42 and costs $199.12, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Tribit Xsound Mega offers: Deepest bass of any medium size speaker. Use xbass mode for flattest frequency response. Watch for: Single driver, not stereo. Lack of detail. Lack of upper treble, peaky lower treble. Not great off axis. Keep in mind this speaker gives up some sound quality for deeper bass.
What the JBL Pulse 5 offers: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Watch for: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Mega. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Pulse 5 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Xsound Mega is rated for 20 hours versus 12 hours for the JBL Pulse 5.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Xsound Mega | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $116.70 | $199.12 |
| Ranked | #20 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #42 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built in Microphone | No | - |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms | - |
| Max Volume | 100dB | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1020 g | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Drivers | 60mm woofer + 35mm tweeter + passive radiators | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Party Mode | - | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Dimensions | - | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Output Power | - | 40W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
A few more comparisons worth a look in the same class:
- Xiaomi Sound Outdoor vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- Soundcore Glow vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Sony SRS-XB30
- JBL Charge 6 vs Tribit Xsound Mega
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 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
Tribit Xsound Mega: $116.70 Amazon eBay
Pros: Deepest bass of any medium size speaker. Use xbass mode for flattest frequency response.
Cons: Single driver, not stereo. Lack of detail. Lack of upper treble, peaky lower treble. Not great off axis. Keep in mind this speaker gives up some sound quality for deeper bass.
Full Tribit Xsound Mega review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 47Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 200ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 60mm woofer + 35mm tweeter + passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 100dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.2 lbs / 1020 g |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega Review vs Anker Soundcore Motion Plus - bang for buck champs! 😛 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: £50/$50 bluetooth speaker shootout! Tribit Xsound Mega vs Soundcore Boost and others…👍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bose SoundLink Max vs Tribit XSound Mega 😲 Can the Budget Priced Speaker Hang With the Big $ One? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Flow vs XSound Mega - Sound Comparison, Stock EQ, Both Mono Sound 😶🌫️ A Family Feud
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Mega vs the world! (JBL Charge 5, Bose Flex, Sony XB33, LG PL7) 👍
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Earfun UBoom L 💣(EQ2) 🆚 Tribit XSound Mega 🔥(XBass EQ)- Bluetooth Speaker Bedroom Bash. Who U Got?🔝
- Reddit Search for Tribit Xsound Mega Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Tribit Maxsound Plus V1/V2/Thunderbox Plus
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Harman Kardon Luna
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs B&O Beosound A1 3rd gen
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Charge 5 Wifi
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Charge 5
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs JBL Flip 7
- Tribit Xsound Mega vs Soundcore Boost “original model” pre-2021
- See all 78 comparisons
JBL Pulse 5: $199.12 Amazon eBay
Pros: Cool light show, although not synced to the music like the Pulse 2.
Cons: Not quite as deep bass as others. Plastic scratches easily.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2" x 8.4" x 5.2" (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1500 g |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Techder Audios: JBL PULSE 5 VS JBL CHARGE 5 “LIGHTS VS BASS?!” More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Reddit Search for JBL Pulse 5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Glow
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- JBL Pulse 5 vs W-King D320
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve+
- JBL Pulse 5 vs Bose Soundlink Revolve
- See all 72 comparisons