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JBL Xtreme 5: two-minute assessment
The JBL Xtreme 5 is right here and it is greater, bulkier, and simply higher than what got here earlier than it. This party-ready Bluetooth speaker is on the bigger finish of JBL’s moveable vary, and comes with a large 130W energy output, 6.4lbs / 2.9kg weight, and a reasonably excessive value to match. However this mannequin actually does really feel as if it’s value each penny.
Why? Initially, we now have to speak about sound. The Xtreme 5 is a monster, with rumbling, nearly earth-shaking bass, that may lengthen extremely deep whereas retaining composure and readability always. I used to be wowed by the richness and impression of the speaker’s low-end output, however this by no means got here on the expense of wealthy mids or expressive highs.
It actually does really feel just like the Xtreme 5 is a considerable sonic improve on its predecessor, and just like the best Bluetooth speakers, it might deal with nearly each style I threw at it with ease. This mannequin may also get louder than the JBL Xtreme 4 because of its ramped up energy output — though it should should be plugged into the mains to hit its peak.
With souped-up energy comes a measurement enhance. This mannequin is quite a bit heftier than the Xtreme 4, and wider too. It might be too cumbersome for some, however the included shoulder strap means it’s nonetheless fairly simple to hold round.
One thing I like concerning the Xtreme 5 is how delightfully sturdy it’s. This mannequin is constructed to a really excessive commonplace, is drop-proof, and even IP68 mud and waterproof-rated, which means it may well simply survive a dunk within the pool.
But it surely’s not simply sensible, it’s fairly swell-looking too, particularly because of newly built-in edge lights, that are totally customizable within the JBL Transportable app. Should you’d desire you may flip them off, which may also help to preserve battery life — you’re getting the identical 24 hours that we noticed on the Xtreme 4, however you may ramp this as much as 28 hours with PlayTime Boost energetic.
Even within the options division, the Xtreme 5 nails it. You get USB-C audio passthrough for lossless playback, Auracast for multi-speaker pairing, customizable EQ, and an excellent easy-to-use compainon app.
And in the long run, this moveable speaker actually does really feel like the total bundle. Some might level out a slight value bump within the US, however the Xtreme 5’s value feels fully justified and well-balanced towards the competitors. If you’d like a speaker to get the get together transferring, with uncompromising, hanging sound, that is simply my prime suggestion.
JBL Xtreme 5 assessment: value and availability
- $399.95 / £329.99 (about AU$560)
- Launched in April 2026
The JBL Xtreme 5 launched in April 2026, about two years after its predecessor, the JBL Xtreme 4. It has an inventory value of $399.95 / £329.99 (about AU$560), representing a $20 bump within the US however no enhance within the UK. It’s accessible in a variety of colours, together with Black, Blue, and Camo.
JBL Xtreme 5 assessment: specs
|
Weight |
6.4lbs / 2.9kg |
|
Dimensions |
13.6 x 6.5 x 6.1 inches / 346 x 165 x 155mm |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C |
|
Battery life |
24 hours (28 hours with PlayTime Increase energetic) |
|
Speaker drivers |
1 x 90W woofer, 2 x 20W tweeters (AC energy mode) |
|
Waterproofing |
IP68 |
JBL Xtreme 5 assessment: options
- Customizable EQ and lighting
- 24 hours of playtime (28 hours with PlayTime Increase)
- USB-C audio passthrough for hi-res playback
The Xtreme 5 is overflowing with options, making it an extremely adaptive and customizable Bluetooth speaker to make use of.
You’ve bought plenty of the standard great things: multi-point connectivity, fast-pairing, and Auracast for multi-speaker connection, however there’s much more to uncover with the JBL Transportable app.
By means of this straightforward but efficient companion software program, you may decide from a neat assortment of EQ presets or create your personal with the seven-band equalizer, activate PlayTime Increase for an additional dollop of playtime, and in addition customise the speaker’s edge lights.
Lighting is new on the Xtreme 5, and it appears to be like nice in my opinion. And it’s very customizable too — you may decide from a variety of results, comparable to Bounce, Loop, or Trim, and these are nice enjoyable to fiddle with. However not like the smaller JBL Go 5, the Xtreme 5 offers the choice to vary the colour of on-board lights, which makes this speaker much more personalizable.
Like plenty of the new-gen JBL audio system, the Xtreme 5 additionally helps USB-C passthrough, which means you may get pleasure from hi-res audio on the go. Simply maintain down the play button, plug your system in, and also you’re good to go.
In truth, the USB-C port stands alone on this mannequin, and can be utilized for extra than simply enjoying music. It’s used to cost the speaker itself, in fact, however you can too use it to cost exterior units — excellent for juicing up your cellphone should you’re out and about. There’s additionally a USB-C wall charger included within the field, which isn’t one thing you see from plenty of the competitors.
Whereas we’re on the subject of charging, I think you’re questioning about battery life. And the Xtreme 5 has an excellent quantity of stamina. It may sometimes final round 24 hours, however with PlayTime Increase energetic — a mode that will increase playtime at the price of audio constancy — you may rise up to twenty-eight hours. That represents no enhance from the Xtreme 4, which is comprehensible given the upper energy output, however there are some opponents, just like the Marshall Kilburn III that can provide you as a lot as 50 hours.
One other enjoyable inclusion is JBL EasySing Mic compatibility, which helps you to get pleasure from karaoke wherever you’re — however you’ll must buy these mics individually.
The one factor that’s lacking from the Xtreme 5 is a built-in mic for taking hands-free calls. This can be a fairly widespread factor to depart off the spec-sheet in Bluetooth audio system as of late, and is on no account a deal-breaker among the many TR group, nevertheless it’s value contemplating should you’d like to make use of your JBL as a speakerphone — as a result of that will not be potential.
JBL Xtreme 5 assessment: sound high quality
- Mesmerizing, full-bodied bass
- Detailed mids and energetic highs
- Extremely highly effective, even in comparison with predecessor
Whereas listening to Max Chapman’s remix of I’ll Be Your by Ruze, I used to be struck by one factor proper out of the field: the bass. I didn’t really feel just like the Xtreme 4’s low-end gripped me as a lot as I’d hoped once I examined it a few years again, however this was completely not the case for its successor.
The dynamism and depth of the low-end was immediately hanging — it was commanding, regimented, and intent-filled, leading to a extremely energetic and immersive pay attention. This remained the case with Home tracks like Really feel Da Vibe by Soul Mass Transit System, the place the bass extension was critically spectacular — if you need clear, full-sounding low-end output, it’s going to be laborious to beat the Xtreme 5.
And fortuitously, this by no means got here on the expense of the remainder of the frequency vary. Mids are wealthy and well-balanced — and in Allie X’s Black Eye, I used to be actually stunned by simply how pure and detailed vocals sounded, even with the hard-hitting bass powering all through. That was the case with a easy AAC sign, by the way in which — though there’s no aptX or LDAC on board, JBL’s get together speaker can nonetheless dish out loads of element.
In additional stripped again tracks, like Desafinado by Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, vocals sounded heat and textured, with glorious tonality and articulation — much more so than they did on the still-great Xtreme 4. Positive, bass was fairly ahead for a monitor like this, however that was nothing I couldn’t repair — I quickly switched to my saved customized EQ and located the proper stability.
The Xtreme 5 handles the highs very well too. When listening to Lewis Taylor’s Paradise through USB-C, percussion within the treble vary sounded vivid and energetic, however wasn’t uncontrolled or overemphasized. As I edged in direction of 100% quantity, it might sound slightly compressed, however that’s extremely widespread for Bluetooth audio system comparable to this one.
Talking of quantity, this factor can get critically loud. And that’s no shock once you look below the hood, with the Xtreme 5 boasting a single 90W woofer and twin 20W tweeters when it’s hooked as much as the mains. For reference, that’s 30W extra energy from the sub than the Xtreme 4 — which as a substitute opted for twin 30W bass drivers.
It’s additionally value noting that the Xtreme 5 has a stereo configuration, however you shouldn’t anticipate impeccably separated and trustworthy stereo output right here — though true stereo output is feasible when pairing the Xtreme 5 with a second, equivalent mannequin.
JBL Xtreme 5 assessment: design
- Bigger and weightier than the Xtreme 4
- Edge lighting is a welcome addition
- IP68-rated and drop-proof
JBL clearly believes that greater means higher, as a result of the Xtreme 5 has a significantly bigger footprint than its predecessor.
It’s wider and heftier too, coming in at 6.4lbs / 2.9kg — fairly the rise from the 4.6lbs / 2.1kg of the Xtreme 4. That cumbersome construct might put some off, however the Xtreme 5 nonetheless feels surprisingly moveable. And that’s because of its carry strap, which is adjustable and cozy to sling over the shoulder.
Regardless of that measurement enhance, I desire the look of the Xtreme 5 to its predecessor. There are some small adjustments to the looks of the speaker — like a plate on the highest facet for button controls and a extra distinguished base stand. However there are nonetheless loads of acquainted traits — the recycled plastic and material materials, the in-your-face emblem placement, and the massive radiators on every finish of the mannequin, as an example.
The most important change, in fact, is the inclusion of edge lighting. I’m a giant fan of this personally — it makes bumping tunes that bit extra immersive, and provides an ambient contact for late-night listening. These are customizable, however will also be turned off should you’re not within the temper for a lightweight present or need to preserve battery life.
Past its appears to be like, the Xtreme 5 is a critically heavy-hitter within the design division — and that’s largely all the way down to its sturdy building. When utilizing the Xtreme 5, it felt like dropping it will break the bottom, moderately than the speaker itself. It’s bought an extremely stable really feel to it, and JBL has licensed it as ‘drop-proof’. On prime of that, its IP68 mud and waterproof rated, which means it may well even survive a 30 minute dunking below a meter and a half of water — fairly spectacular, proper?
JBL Xtreme 5 assessment: worth
- Minimal value enhance within the US, no change in some areas
- However really looks like a greater worth purchase than predecessor
- Unbelievable all-round high quality is deserving of the steep value
As a lot as I preferred the JBL Xtreme 4, there was at all times slightly one thing lacking for me. The bass didn’t fairly have the chunk I used to be on the lookout for, I didn’t fall in love with its design, and because of this, it didn’t fairly really feel definitely worth the cash. However the JBL Xtreme 5 has completely offered me.
Look, that is the way you do an improve. This mannequin has extra energy, extra hanging sound, lighting for added magnificence factors, and an much more sturdy construct than final day out. And though US consumers must pay $20 greater than the launch value of the Xtreme 4, the worth has remained flat in different areas, together with the UK.
Even with a value enhance, this Bluetooth speaker feels value each penny to me. And with its elevated measurement, lights-integration, and power-boost, it nearly looks like an ‘Xtreme Professional’ of kinds, moderately than a mere refresh of what got here earlier than.
Wanting on the competitors proper now, I believe the Xtreme 5 is in excellent standing too. As an example, the Bose SoundLink Max has an inventory value of $399 / £399 / AU$599 — significantly pricier than the Xtreme 5 in markets just like the UK. Positive, Bose’s mannequin goes on sale pretty typically as of late, typically for $100 / £100 much less, however even nonetheless, I believe the Xtreme 5 presents glorious bang in your buck with extra bountiful bass and a sturdier construct.
Ought to I purchase the JBL Xtreme 5?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Ranking |
|---|---|---|
|
Options |
Wonderful feature-set with loads of choices in JBL app, battery life is sweet moderately than nice. |
4.5/5 |
|
Sound high quality |
Mesmerizing bass, detailed mids, and energetic highs mix for a sensational pay attention. |
5/5 |
|
Design |
Heftier than the Xtreme 4, however lights are a pleasant contact and it’s critically sturdy. |
4.5/5 |
|
Worth |
Earns its pretty excessive value in each regard with excellent all-round high quality. |
5/5 |
Purchase it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
JBL Xtreme 5 assessment: additionally think about
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
JBL Xtreme 5 |
Bose SoundLink Max |
Marshall Kilburn III |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Value |
$399.95 / £329.99 (about AU$560) |
$399 / £399 / AU$599 |
$379 / £299 / AU$599 |
|
Weight |
6.4lbs / 2.9kg |
4.7lbs / 2.1kg |
6.2lbs / 2.8kg |
|
Dimensions |
13.6 x 6.5 x 6.1 inches / 346 x 165 x 155mm |
4.7 x 10.4 x 4.1 inches / 120 x 265 x 105mm |
10.7 x 5.9 x 6.7 inches / 273 x 150 x 169mm |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C |
Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm |
Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm |
|
Battery life |
24 hours (28 hours with PlayTime Increase energetic) |
20 hours |
50 hours |
|
Speaker drivers |
1 x 90W woofer, 2 x 20W tweeters (AC energy mode) |
2 x 89mm transducers, 1 x 23mm transducer, 2x passive radiators |
1 x 30W woofer; 2 x 10W full ranges |
|
Waterproofing |
IP68 |
IP67 |
IP54 |
How I examined the JBL Xtreme 5
- Examined for hours alongside the JBL Xtreme 4
- Used within the music testing house at Future Labs
- Predominantly examined utilizing Tidal
I spent hours testing the JBL Xtreme 5, throughout which period I exhausted its numerous options, assessed its audio high quality, and in contrast it towards its predecessor, the JBL Xtreme 4. Testing happened at our music testing house at Future Labs.
For probably the most half, I streamed music over Tidal to evaluate the audio aptitude of the Xtreme 5, however I did dip into Spotify on occasion as effectively. To start with, I sifted by way of the TechRadar reference playlist, which options tracks from a variety of genres, however I additionally bumped tunes from my private library afterwards.
I’ve spent years testing audio gear right here at TechRadar, together with every part from low cost wired earbuds just like the Sennheiser CX 80U to premium wi-fi headphones just like the Sony 1000X The Collexion. In fact, I’ve tried out a ton of Bluetooth audio system too, and have reviewed JBL fashions just like the JBL Go 5 and JBL Grip. I additionally curated our best Bluetooth speakers information, the place I examined greater than 30 fashions to seek out the best fashions round.
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