What’s to like: Think of the Charge 4 as the smaller sibling of JBL’s Xtreme 3. Who it’s for: The fan of music alfresco in search of a Cinderella speaker that’s not too big or too small The model might be just the thing for an outdoor dance party, but it can sometimes deliver too much low end for a small bedroom or home office. While our testers give the speaker a solid rating for sound quality, they add that the bass can be overwhelming on certain kinds of music. What’s not to like: The Boombox 2 features bass that can rattle the walls, and that’s not entirely a good thing. The Boombox 2 is both loud and clear, with enough volume for a large room or an outdoor space. Our testers find the new model sounds very much like its predecessor. JBL says the Boombox 2 meets IPX7 water-resistance standards, so the speaker should stay safe from a significant splash or even a modest dunking, though we didn’t test that. But while it exudes old-school style, the Boombox 2’s tech is decidedly modern, with solid Bluetooth streaming and a 10,000-milliamp-hour rechargeable battery that’s said to last 24 hours and can serve as a power bank for charging other devices. And like its predecessor, the Boombox 2 channels the giant beatboxes that the cool kids-and even LL Cool J-carried around in the 1980s and 90s.
What’s to like: The JBL Boombox 2 is a satisfying sequel to JBL’s original Boombox. Who it’s for: A music lover with a retro style sensibility who’s all about the bass But if you plan on hauling the speaker around town, the smaller and lighter Charge 4 might be a more suitable travel companion.
That shouldn’t be an issue if you plan to use the Xtreme 3 indoors or in your backyard. And unlike other large portables (see JBL’s Boombox 2), it lacks a handle you’ll have to make do with a shoulder strap. What’s not to like: Did we mention that it’s hefty? At more than 5 pounds and almost a foot long, the Xtreme 3 is quite a load for a portable speaker. The Xtreme 3 features an internal power bank that can charge other devices and JBL says the speaker is both dustproof and water-resistant to 3 meters, but CR doesn’t test those claims. The model can play loud enough to fill a medium-sized to large room.
Like the Xtreme 2, the 3 has strong bass that goes fairly deep, but is somewhat boomy and lacks natural instrument detail compared with better-performing speakers we’ve tested. The Xtreme 3 sounds slightly better than its predecessor, too, although it’s very close in overall character. In any case, you might be surprised at how large it is when you see it in person. What’s to like: The JBL Xtreme 3 is one hefty hunk of speaker, a tiny bit bigger and a little lighter than its predecessor, the Xtreme 2. Who it’s for: Someone looking for a fine-sounding portable speaker, even if it’s not all that portable
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