The Xtreme is one of the most popular Bluetooth speakers from JBL. No wonder, as the speaker combines a very handy design with rich acoustics. This is particularly true of the new JBL Xtreme 4 edition, which not only improves significantly in terms of sound. Find out more in our test.
Technical data
| The product | Xtreme 4 |
| Power output | 2 x 30W RMS woofer + 2 x 20W RMS tweeter (AC power mode); 2 x 20W RMS woofer + 2 x 15W RMS tweeter (Battery mode) |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 |
| Connections | USB-C (charging port) |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Battery capacity | unknown |
| Battery life | up to 24 hours |
| Special features | IP67 certification, Auracast; power bank function |
| Dimensions | 297 mm x 149 mm x 141 mm |
| Weight | 2,117 gamm |
| Scope of delivery | Xtreme 4; mains adapter; charging cable; carrying strap; quick start guide |
| Price | € 299.99 * |
JBL Xtreme 4 review: Edgier look for the robust speaker
- Robust, appealing design
- Can be used both horizontally and vertically
- Quite compact and handy; practical carrying strap
The fourth edition of the Xtreme has become a little more angular compared to its direct predecessor, but retains the dimensions of 297 mm x 149 mm x 141 mm. The new JBL Xtreme 4 weighs just under 2.1 kg and now has a flat surface on the underside, which means it can be placed on surfaces without wobbling.
There are also rubberized strips here, which also ensure that the speaker does not slip on tables and the like. Otherwise, the design is very similar to that of the third edition. Our test model in dark blue color makes a lot of visual impact and scores with a clean yet modern look including a full-surface cover and two-tone JBL logo on the front.
There are also four additional rubber feet on both sides, raised around the radiators, if you want to use the Xtreme 4 upright. There is also a status LED at the front, while the USB-C port for charging can be found next to the type designation at the rear.
The controls are located on the top. There are also two eyelets here that can be used to make the JBL Xtreme 4 fit for traveling with the included carrying strap and robust snap hook.
Visually and in terms of build quality, there is not the slightest thing to complain about with the Xtreme 4. It looks absolutely classy and is extremely robust. Thanks to IP67 certification, even water and dust cannot harm the Bluetooth speaker.
Operation, app and battery life
- Simple and reliable operation
- Companion app without any real added value
- 24 hours battery life
Operating the JBL Xtreme 4 is very simple. Once paired via Bluetooth (there is also a dedicated button for this), it is controlled via the three buttons on the fabric grille. Here you can adjust the volume and start or pause playback.
Above this, you will find an illuminated panel with three additional buttons. A new feature is the Auracast function, the symbol on the far left, which we have already seen on the manufacturer’s other new speakers such as the Go 4 (our test) or Clip 5 (our test). This allows two Xtreme 4s to be paired to form a stereo pair and thus expand the sound. The power button and Bluetooth pairing button are also located here.
The Bluetooth speaker can also be connected to an app. The JBL Portable app is used here, which is responsible for the handy speakers. Exactly, neither JBL Headphones, nor JBL PartyBox, JBL One, JBL Pro Connect, JBL BAR Setup, JBL Compact Connect or JBL Premium Audio.
Dear JBL team: Please create a standardized app for all devices. This chaos is sometimes really exhausting if you use (or test) several of your devices.
However, the app doesn’t offer much added value anyway. Apart from the option to perform firmware updates, you can only use the equalizer to influence the sound and cobble together your own sound with the help of a 5-band EQ. Personally, I found the preset JBL Signature EQ preset to be the most coherent option during the JBL Xtreme 4 test.
However, the battery life of the JBL Xtreme 4 is impressive. The handy Bluetooth speaker lasts a full 24 hours of music playback. The biggest change compared to the previous model, which only lasted a meagre 15 hours.
This puts the Xtreme 4 ahead of the previous top dogs in this size of Bluetooth speaker in terms of runtime, surpassing the Marshall Middleton, for example, by an additional four hours of use. However, at around 3.5 hours, charging also takes quite a long time.
Sound quality of the JBL Xtreme 4
- Two woofers, two midrange drivers and two cones
- 44 Hz to 20,000 Hz
- rich, lively and detailed sound across all genres
The basic design of the JBL Xtreme 4 has not changed compared to the third iteration. Here too, the manufacturer combines two woofers with two midrange drivers and two side cones, all of which can use slightly more power in powered mode than when used wirelessly. However, the speaker also offers a full 70 watts of power in BT mode.
However, the Bluetooth speaker only reaches down to 44 Hz in the bass range and therefore theoretically offers more bass than the Xtreme 3. We can really confirm this in practice after the first sounds from the Xtreme 4 almost blew us away.
The sound is powerful, lively and rich in detail, with the rather warm mix giving the songs a more pleasant stage. In my headphone playlist, I start with the electro and dance tracks, where the speaker cuts a really good figure.
Rich in detail, with plenty of punch at the bottom and yet pleasantly clearly distributed across the frequency spectrum without losing fine nuances in the mids and especially the highs. The sound is tuned for fun – not really neutral, but also not so bass-heavy as to lack detail in the mids and highs.
This is also evident when switching genres to acoustic and singer-songwriter pieces, in which the speaker clearly reproduces the vocals and also lifts the instrumentation to an airy, clear stage. The Xtreme 4 only swallows up some of the dynamics and sounds a little flat with low vocals and complex instrumentation – for example in Gojira’s “Amazonia” or Tool’s “7empest”.
But that’s complaining on a high level, because the sound coming out of the compact Bluetooth speaker sounds really excellent across the board. The JBL Xtreme 4 is very well positioned across all genres and thus serves electro, classical, hip-hop and metal fans alike. Chapeau.
JBL Xtreme 4 test: Conclusion
It is hardly surprising why the Xtreme is one of the most popular Bluetooth speakers. The new edition in the form of the JBL Xtreme 4 has improved significantly in many respects compared to the third version. First and foremost in terms of battery life (+9 hours), a modern USB-C port, the Auracast function and – most importantly – the sound.
The sound emanating from the handy speaker is pleasantly detailed and lively and copes very well with all music genres. The bass extends much further down into the low-frequency segment without the sound lacking any detail.
This and much more makes the JBL Xtreme 4 an all-round successful Bluetooth speaker that is definitely worth the money.
JBL Xtreme 4
Workmanship
Usability
Sound quality
Features
Value For Money
91/100
Robust and elegant Bluetooth speaker with excellent battery life, practical Auracast function and convincing, lively sound.
