Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Tribit Xsound Plus 2 ranks #34 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality at $64.99; the JBL Go 5 ranks #24 of 47 small speakers by sound quality at $39.95.
The case for the Tribit Xsound Plus 2: Use this EQ for the best sound quality. The tradeoff: Boosted treble, boosted bass in the factory EQs.
The case for the JBL Go 5: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. Watch for: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights.
Buy the Tribit Xsound Plus 2 at $64.99 if you want a medium speaker. Buy the JBL Go 5 at $39.95 if you want a small speaker instead.
If battery life is a priority, the Tribit Xsound Plus 2 is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the JBL Go 5.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tribit Xsound Plus 2 | JBL Go 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $64.99 | $39.95 |
| Ranked | #34 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #24 of 47 in Small Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Aux Latency | 16ms | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Latency | SBC 233ms, AAC 240ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (798 g) | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.8” x 2.8” x 2.6” (198 x 71 x 66 mm) | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP68 |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 4.8W |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Drivers | 2x 45mm neodymium full-range drivers | 45mm |
| Digital Aux Input | No | Yes (USB-C) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Strap | Yes (strap) | Yes (built-in loop) |
| Power Bank | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Charging Time | - | 3 hours |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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- Soundcore Boost “upgraded” 2021 vs Tribit Xsound Plus 2
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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 Plus 2: $64.99 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Tribit Maxsound Plus/Thunderbox Plus (rated 4.1/5) and the Tribit Maxsound Plus V2 (rated 4.1/5).
Pros: Use this EQ for the best sound quality. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 16ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 99dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs (798 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tribit Xsound Plus 2: Upgrade Your Sound With Maxsound Eq Preset! New firmware tested More from alanrossreviews →
- 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 More from Oluv’Sone →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs JBL Charge Essential 2
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- Tribit Xsound Plus 2 vs Huawei Sound Joy
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- See all 105 comparisons
JBL Go 5: $39.95 Amazon eBay
Older models: the JBL Go 4 (rated 3.2/5) and the JBL Go 3 (rated 3.2/5).
Pros: IP68 rating, up from the Go 4’s IP67. AirTouch tap-to-pair stereo linking. 7-band custom app EQ, up from the Go 4’s 5-band. USB-C wired audio input.
Cons: Still overpriced for what it delivers, not very different from the Go 4 besides the lights. Still lacking bass and not very clear overall. Mono downmixing produces an audible growling artifact, the same issue noted on the JBL Charge 6. Falls well short of similarly priced rivals like the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2. Weak off-axis dispersion and an uneven, upper-mid-heavy tonal balance. Doesn’t get meaningfully louder at max volume, just harsher.
Full JBL Go 5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 4.8W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours, 10 with Playtime Boost (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 6.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Charging Time | 3 hours |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 4” x 3” x 1.7” (101 x 77 x 43 mm) |
| Drivers | 45mm |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 100Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes (AirTouch tap-to-pair) |
| Strap | Yes (built-in loop) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (230 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons