Verdict
One of the best mid - size portable speakers around . Those who already own an older Xtreme do n’t need to upgrade to the JBL Xtreme 4 but there are some welcome upgrades in towage , let in a long - lasting , removable battery . But the key draws are , as ever , strong heavy quality and furrowed portability .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The JBL Xtreme 4 is part of a lineage of speaker system I did n’t like at first glance . But it has gone on to become one of my favourite wireless loudspeaker families ever .
These Xtreme building block combine a fairly youthful , mildly obnoxious , outer appearance with nicely tune auditory sensation , power and finesse .
Despite being reasonably large , this feels like a go - anywhere speaker system . And while there are n’t too many revolutionary upgrades and change from theJBL Xtreme 3blueprint , the JBL Xtreme 4 should be consider if you want a great - sounding speaker for bivouacking , garden gather , BBQs and so on . The JBL Xtreme 4 shines any meter when a pure family speaker ca n’t quite keep up with the action .
The master drawback is , at the meter of review , you’re able to get the last - generation manikin for importantly less . Or the larger ( if less practical)JBL Boombox 3for similar money .
Design
Some product short letter get upgraded regularly because the pace of change involve it . New processors need updated Windows laptop computer role model , for example . The JBL Xtreme 4 feels more a case of an update because a eminent - visibility piece of tech like this needs to feel quite fresh to sell well .
If you own a JBL Xtreme 2 or Xtreme 3 , I do n’t intend you postulate to upgrade to the Xtreme 4 . That ’s no slight on this talker , just buying advice for those with a tendency to get upgrade - itis .
Just like those older multiplication , the JBL Xtreme 4 is shape like a mini conga drumfish . But unlike one of those instruments , you ’ll commonly orient it so it sits on its side .
sturdy metallic element climb points can be attached to a strap ( included ) , to let you sling it over your shoulder . And I ’ve even used this when at home , to carry on listening to some medicine or a podcast when going to make food or a coffee .
The JBL Xtreme 4 is a speaker that really want to be taken on outdoors adventures , though , at least occasionally . Its woven outer case is IP67 piddle resistant , signify it can take full submersion in urine . Tough rubber bumper on each end let you sit it up on one side , no problem , if the available blank does n’t permit its standard crabwise seated post .
I calculate the JBL Xtreme 4 is potential to have far longer - go water ohmic resistance than most of the wireless competition too . If a speaker has a rubbery bung you have to remove and replace each time you want to charge or plug something in , it ’s may become damaged or change form over time . The Xtreme 3 has one of these .
The JBL Xtreme 4 has a water supply - resistant - by - design exposed USB - hundred port for charging . And while there ’s a India rubber - sealed flap on the bottom , you may never need to remove the Torx screws that keep it in place .
Behind this flaps sits the battery , a removable and replaceable unit . This is one of the cardinal changes in the JBL Xtreme 4 — if the stamp battery goes defective , you could get a novel one . These are rather high-priced at £ 75 , though , and you ’re unlikely to need one before the Xtreme 4 becomes an “ old ” model . So it might seem a bit steep unless we see the same sort of price erosion these Xtreme speakers incline to be capable to once they are no longer new .
Still , it ’s a bully form of flexibleness in this epoch of self consciously user - repairable hardware .
Features
That aside , the JBL Xtreme 4 is mostly business as common . There ’s a shelling grade indicator on the front . There are two sets of buttons up top , each with a well hitting of clicky feedback on the depress .
These push button alter volume , play / pause , power on / off , enter copulate and permit you figure the stereo grouping mode . This is for join up a couple of Xtreme 4 verbalizer as a stereo duad . It ’s a nifty gain , but not one I can see too many folk using when this is intelligibly not a particularly indoor and sustenance elbow room friendly excogitation . A span of these just is n’t operate to see veracious to each side of your TV or disc histrion .
There are no other peculiar feature film here . The JBL Xtreme 4 is aBluetooth speakerwith no pretentions tosmart speakerskills . It does n’t have Wi - Fi . It does n’t have an auxiliary input . This is very much a “ do one affair well ” sort of Cartesian product rather than one that attempts to meet loads of role . I like this plan of attack .
The JBL Xtreme 4 has a chunky 68Wh assault and battery , higher capacity than most svelte and light-headed laptops . JBL says it hold up up to 24 hours , and you could use it to power other gadget .
Perhaps its figures are free-base on higher volumes than I was using for anecdotical electric battery examination as it only lose 6 % mission in 3.5 minute of euphony playback at the kind of book you might go under while bring . So , yeah , the JBL Xtreme 4 ’s electric battery life is good . It ’s also value higher than the last - gen ’s 15 hours .
There ’s even a mode called PlayTime Boost that maxes out the comprehend loudness to let you execute the Xtreme 4 at a lower volume for safe genuine - world longevity . I did n’t use this during examination , though , and should belike only be used if you ’re gong to be off from a charger for a while .
Unusually , an adapter is include here , a powerful 60W model . That ’s good tidings for Apple fans , whose MacBook Air and iPhone adapters wo n’t be nearly as potent .
Sound Quality
The JBL Xtreme 4 has the same canonical driver array as all the late models . We get two woofer , two tweeters , while the magnanimous inactive radiators at each end of the speaker dramatically meliorate the low - freshwater bass answer .
I ’ve been a rooter of this serial publication since the first one I reviewed years ago . The Xtreme 4 does n’t change that .
This is an expansive , lively and fun - sound speaker . It know how to party , but also has admirable airiness , detachment and dynamics . utterer snobs are probable to be pleasantly surprised by how sweet-scented and , well , how patently near the JBL Xtreme 4 sounds .
Much as I found with the JBL Xtreme 3 , the low bass is a little too enthusiastic on the default tuning mode when used indoors in the mediocre bedroom or study . Fair enough , it ’s on the button what the outer purpose telegraph , and it does n’t make music go sloughy . But my personal tuning favorite from his family was theJBL Xtreme 2 , which did n’t try quite so severe to prove how low it can go .
If you stop up feel the same way , no problem . There ’s a familiar app for your telephone that provides EQ control .
The default JBL signature tune modality even has a small graphic that evidence exactly the kind of tonic skew I ’m talk about — it goes great on the low bass register the Xtreme 4 can produce . It ’s fun , but when this thing is capable of actually pretty swish auditory sensation , perhaps you ’ll require to assort - up the stick on occasion .
Of of course , JBL Signature is probably on the nose the sort of tuning you want in the Xtreme 4 ’s raw habitat : the open air . JBL knows what it ’s doing . This is all calculated . But I incline to do 99 % of my loudspeaker system mind indoors — and even if you do want a talker for adventure , I reckon almost every Xtreme 4 will expend a just chunk of its sprightliness indoors too .
Minor beef away , the JBL Xtreme 4 has the same magic trick as its predecessor . From the aspect , you ’d assume it would just make your music vocalise loud and bassy . That it also can handle complex arrangement well , make songs vocalise three - dimensional and piquant , pushes this kinfolk up a league .
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Should you buy it?
This is a mostly go - anywhere speaker you could wear like a shoulder bag . And it sound ripe enough to do Department of Justice to all kind of medicine too .
While not identical to the late generation , Bluetooth speaker tech has n’t advanced rapidly enough to make this a worthwhile upgrade if you already own an Xtreme 3 or Xtreme 2 speaker .
Final Thoughts
The JBL Xtreme 4 was n’t an ascent anyone was crying out for . Previous generation of this filiation have age attractively and do not need to be substitute .
JBL has made some thoughtful changes , though . The ability to replace the battery could potentially make this an even longer - lasting loudspeaker system , as should the mode the design keeps our fingers away from the seals that keep the water electrical resistance ruggedization in - tactfulness .
The phone is the real draw of the JBL Xtreme 4 , though . It ’s merriment but coherent , potent but surprisingly refined . And while the default tuning is perhaps a little bassy for listening indoors , you’re able to alter that tune in the earphone app .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every wireless speaker unit we review thoroughly over an prolonged flow of meter . We expend industry standard tests to compare characteristic properly . We ’ll always separate you what we encounter . We never , ever , accept money to review a intersection .
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FAQs
It has high - grade IP67 water and dust resistance .
There ’s no bass boost toggle switch but there is EQ in the JBL app .
New for this generation , the assault and battery can be withdraw , through a plate on the bottom .
