Short answer: the Tribit Xsound Plus 2. It ranks #32 of 136 medium speakers by sound quality at $60; the JBL Charge Essential 2 ranks #35 and costs $130, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Tribit Xsound Plus 2 side: Use this EQ for the best sound quality. Set against that: Boosted treble, boosted bass in the factory EQs.
What the JBL Charge Essential 2 offers: Doubles as a power bank. Watch for: Not stereo.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Plus 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Charge Essential 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Xsound Plus 2 | JBL Charge Essential 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $130 |
| Ranked | #32 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #35 of 136 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | - |
| Aux Latency | 16ms | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Latency | SBC 233ms, AAC 240ms | - |
| Max Volume | 99dB | - |
| Party Mode | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 798 g | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.8" x 2.6" (198 x 71 x 66 mm) | 8.8" x 3.8" x 3.7" (223 x 96.5 x 94 mm) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Output Power | 30W | 40W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz | ~55Hz |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm neodymium full-range drivers | 53mm x 93mm woofer, 20mm tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- Bose Soundlink Flex vs Minirig Mini 2
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Xiaomi Sound Party
The Two Speakers In Full
Tribit Xsound Plus 2: $60 Amazon
Pros: Use this EQ for the best sound quality
Cons: Boosted treble, boosted bass in the factory EQs. Peak at 320hz, dip at 500hz. Bass is slappy and distorted in xbass mode
Full Tribit Xsound Plus 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 16ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | SBC 233ms, AAC 240ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8" x 2.8" x 2.6" (198 x 71 x 66 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm neodymium full-range drivers |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 99dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 30W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs / 798 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Plus 2: Upgrade Your Sound With Maxsound Eq Preset! New firmware tested
- Alan Ross Reviews: Goodbye Maxsound Plus hello Tribit Xsound Plus 2! neutral heaven or bass for the masses?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Bogasing G4 spot cheap speaker - I was NOT expecting this!
- Oluv Patreon: Tribit XSound Plus 2 - first impressions
- Reddit Search for Tribit Xsound Plus 2 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Cleer Audio Scene
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs 1More S1001bt
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Soundcore Boom 3i
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Xiaomi Sound Outdoor
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs JBL Pulse 5
- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Xiaomi Sound Party
- See all 9 comparisons
JBL Charge Essential 2: $130
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IP67 rated. Close to Charge 5 performance at a lower price.
Cons: Not stereo. Slightly less bass than a Charge 5.
Full JBL Charge Essential 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~55Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| 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 | No |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 40W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs / 930 g |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Bose Soundlink Flex 2nd gen
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Soundcore Motion 100
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Pro
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge 5
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Flip 7
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs Sony ULT Field 3
- JBL Charge Essential 2 vs JBL Charge 6
- See all 9 comparisons