not so mobile but so powerful! smart health innovation

May 04, 2020

We are continuing our series of tests of JBL portable speakers. After the very pleasant JBL Pulse 2 light and sound surprise, we got down to the more powerful and much more impressive version: the JBL Xtreme, a powerful Bluetooth speaker weighing almost two kilograms. The promise, powerful sound and record battery life all in one easily transportable device. And as much to say it right away, JBL delivers here again a good product whose defects are relatively minimal. We explain everything in our detailed Review.

(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Roz8WCOHUyw (/ embed)

Mark : JBL

Category : smart health connected speaker

Availability : available

Price : 249.99 euros

JBL Xtreme Unboxing

As usual, JBL plays on the “high end” side of its products. We are therefore in the presence of a box fairly close to what we found on the JBL Pulse 2 but necessarily with a much larger size. Because yes, the box like the speaker is very impressive. The JBL Xtreme is very well packaged and is not likely to be damaged by possible blows given the amount of polystyrene inside. For the rest, there is of course a cable and a power supply, but also a strap that will allow to carry the speaker over the shoulder. For an introductory price of 299.99 euros, one would have expected better when it came to transportation. A small pocket for example.

Design & Ergonomics JBL Xtreme

The first observation with this JBL speaker is its size. It is large and damn imposing. To give you an idea, it measures 12.6 x 28.3 x 12.2 cm, not really what we call compact. In terms of weight, on this side too the addition is relatively salty: 2.1 kilograms, the equivalent of a rather large 15-inch PC. Clearly, this is not really what is called an easily transportable speaker. It is mobile indeed, but will be relatively complicated to fit in a small bag. Fortunately the strap is there. It’s also a great idea that would still deserve to be combined with a protective case with a handle to carry it easily.

After that point, the general look now. The finish is a little less perfect than on its little sister the Pulse 2. The rubber edges are more or less irregular. Nothing too bad, however, but it should still be noted. Most of the enclosure is made with extremely tight meshes in order to prevent water from entering. Indeed, this JBL Xtreme is waterproof and resistant to splashes and can even be cleaned at the tap as long as it is not completely submergedt. For the sides of the speaker, there are passive radiators which have the particularity of moving with the rhythm of the bass, flashy, but damn effective functionality.

On the top, there are the product management buttons, namely the activation of the Bluetooth, the volume / play pause, the power supply and finally the pairing, which we will come back to a little later. AT also note on the top of the product, the two small hooks for the strap which will allow you to transport this wireless speaker A shoulder strap. Below there are two small feet that stabilize the speaker on the long without having to sacrifice a bass, something we had criticized the Pulse 2. Finally, at the rear, always with the aim of being waterproof, the various connections are protected by a zipper. Connections which are also quite numerous since in addition to the power there is a micro-USB port and two USB ports. Thus, this JBL Xtreme can charge your smartphone. It’s pretty practical!

In summary, you would have to lie to say that it is not well made and that a real design work has been done. The fact remains that visually, she is friendly without being transcendent. And it’s probably related to its pretty “fat” character when it’s made for transportation Note that it exists in blue and red.

JBL Xtreme app

JBL Connect is back and we're not going to spend too much time on it. This JBL Xtrem is not intended to develop its interaction with the smartphone. No sound customization, just the ability to pair two speakers to make a stereo system.

Use / Getting started JBL Xtreme

A striking sound

If we criticize the size of this JBL Xtrem, we must at least recognize that it is so imposing for a good reason. She is overpowered. You can, without any problem, sound a large room or a garden. Count at least 100 good decibels before you feel a slight saturation of sound. In terms of sound balance, the bass is still very powerful, but does not mask the midrange and treble, even at high volume, criticism made on the smaller model.

Latency side, we were a little scared, but ultimately the result is satisfactory. It is entirely possible to watch a film or any other kind of video without having the “fire effect of love”, this discrepancy between the voices and the movement of the most unpleasant lips. We are necessarily satisfied with the sound result of this JBL Xtreme which almost succeeds in forgetting its imposing stature by a powerful sound, full of bass, but still balanced.

Autonomy that gives a layer

JBL has integrated a 10,000 mAh battery into its wireless speaker and announces a theoretical autonomy of 15 hours. A figure that we have exceeded, reaching almost 18 hours listening. This performance can be explained by listening at relatively low volume or simply by optimizing power consumption. Indeed, very few light effects except the power button and the battery charge index. Of course, if you charge a smartphone or any other portable device on it, the autonomy will skyrocket …

JBL Xtreme Conclusion

The advantages of the JBL Xtreme

> Autonomy> Powerful bass> Sound capacity of large spaces> Possible to associate two speakers in stereo mode> Resists splashes> Impressive passive radiators

Cons of the JBL Xtreme

> Lack of sound customization> A carrying case would not have been too much> Sometimes a little irregular finish

It goes without saying that if you buy this JBL Xtreme in order to be able to walk with it or to make a long trip, pregnant in the bag, you will be disappointed by its size, its weight and logically its nomadic appearance, but not too much. But this enclosure is actually made above all for short trips: from the house to the garden or to the swimming pool, to the park or to the beach with friends. Its imposing stature makes it possible to serve extremely convincing sound performances and to sound large spaces for long durations. Currently sold at 249.99 euros in most shops (against 299.99 at the launch price), it is like a semi-nomad speaker that will not leave anyone indifferent. In any case, we do not let go.

Design & Finishing – 7
Features – 8
Use / handling – 9
Value for money – 9

8.3

 

 Design & Ergonomics : you would have to lie to say that it is not well done and that a real design work has been done. The fact remains that visually, she is friendly without being transcendent. And it is undoubtedly linked to its fairly "fat" character when it is made to be transported.Features : Bluetooth, water resistance and the possibility of pairing two are available. To reach perfection, a small personalization of the sound would have been perfect. The bass is very powerful and not everyone likes it.use: If we still regret an imposing weight (2.1 kg), this build allows you to deliver a powerful and quality sound. What is more, the ease of use is childish.Value for money:: Its imposing stature allows to serve extremely convincing sound performances and to sound large spaces for long durations. Currently sold at 249.99 euros in most shops (against 299.99 at the launch price), it is placed like a semi-nomad speaker that will not leave anyone indifferent. In any case, we do not let go.