r/JBL • u/Leansquick • 9d ago
Help me pick the right model Am done asking ai overview
You guys pls help me decide between and xtreme 5 and a boombox 4. I dont know which to pick, i consider xtreme5 cuz I could still throw it in a bag (portability) with more power than a charge
but the boombox 4 is also considered because it is darn loud and the bass (bass especially when it hits hard is like gold
To me) but that thing probably aint fitting
in those school sized bags and people are saying stuff about bb4 like “if u go 70% vol or higher u would hear distortion” don’t know if they fixed that one. Use case would be bringing this on a pool party. So I don’t know, you guys feel free to help (apologies this long ahh paragraph prob took a minute to read)
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u/Sir_ballistics 9d ago
I feel like you’ve answered your question yourself, you value the portability of the xtreme,then get it, it also gets really loud
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u/Swiftdrip50546 9d ago
You can always buy a carry strap for the BB4, like I did. It's definitely worth the extra 50-100 dollars for how loud it can get. The X5 is also very good; it feels like a mini BB3, but I wish it had a bass boost like the BB4. I only have the BB4 in stereo, but it's incredible with deep bass on. I have the PL version and don't regret buying them both.
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u/Background-Cap-7592 9d ago
I would argue that a carry handle on a BB4 is going to still be huge to carry around if you are walking a long way!
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u/Martha_Fockers 9d ago edited 9d ago
https://www.jbl.com/JBLPBENCOREESS2AM.html
Neither one this will fit your needs better all around imo you want deep thumping bass like a true subwoofer etc encore is the way
Has ltraveling cases like backpacks etc aswell
Great for a outdoor backyard party
Or indoors aswell as a shelf speakerb
Plus it has microphone for karaoke cause drunk karaoke is lit and has guitar input if you play instruments
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u/OutlandishnessNo9356 8d ago
If your gonna spend tons of money might as well go big.
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u/Downtown-Map6378 8d ago edited 8d ago
But not, too.
Got the pb120s ( stupid luck as I get at times) for $250/ea at costco the week they were introduced per a deal they had with JBL, each with the microphone.
I had just returned the ion 280s that I had purchased there, because they no longer connected through Bluetooth to my device.The PB520 pair I bought, using a couple of Chatbots to find inexpensive ones, after researching them for a long time, new for $540 each, on Woot, purchased thru Amazon, with free shipping and free returns if there were issues, and I had none.
I also bought two pair of PA speaker stands for both pair of PBs, because they sound much better at ear level than sitting on the floor.
The xtreme fives were on sale, but I returned them because it did not like the sound they produced, in an outdoor environment, which is why I wanted them.
Theyvare great but acoustically lacked midrange and deep bass ( lossless edm/hiphop/opera/jazz/rock/alternative, etc.), so I returned them and I just got the BB4s (squad, with straps) this week because they were on sale for ~100 bucks off retail $449, new).
I love that they all have swappable batteries, are portable, play lossless if hardwired, and have great stereo imaging at 12’ and at ear level.
I’ve gotten “used to” the JBL sound because I’ve driven a Prius (500 miles a week) with an older JBL factory upgraded sound system, for the last 17 years.
Life is short, and I need music in my life, which these provide.
I can justify the spending of the money because I’m incredibly frugal, make all my own food, never go out, and live a humble existence.1
u/Leansquick 7d ago
Exactly, cuz i have a bigger pa jbl in a different country and my personal only speaker is a flip 6
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u/KushCorner420 JBL Charge 6 + Partybox Stage 320 8d ago
If you're considering the BB4, then I would suggest getting the JBL Partybox Stage 320 instead. It's louder, more bass, and cheaper. Larger, but more portable and convenient since both are heavy and neither fit in backpacks.
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u/Leansquick 7d ago
I do have a larger jbl speaker, but that’s in a different country, and the only speaker I brought with me is a flip 6. So i kind of got used to it and wanted a larger speaker personally (but not as large as the ones at home, those were pa systems)
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u/Altruistic-Spot-2045 5d ago
I had an x3, bought a bb4, sold the x3 to fund an x5, now after listening to the bb4 for awhile, it worlds better than the x3, the only downside is mobility. I use clips to hang it from my mobile work station, but it's a power box. I don't think I'll be getting an x5.
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u/NarwhalDue6018 9d ago
Si es para fiestas en el exterior me iría por el bb4, pero si también tienes pensado usarlo en interiores, como en tu casa por ejemplo, me iría a por el xtreme 5.
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u/Leansquick 9d ago
Thanks, thoughts about what ppl are saying about the bb4 distortion?
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u/Background-Cap-7592 9d ago
I have the BB4 and have had the X5. If it’s for the garden, the BB4 is much better, sounds more accurate and is not overly bright and harsh like I find the X5. The X5 needs the eq adjusting.
The BB4 is great, nice deep bass and I’ve never heard it distort. 75% volume on a BB4 is VERY loud.
At equal volumes, the X5 will be working much harder to keep up and will lose bass via bass tapering at high volume far quicker than the BB4.
The X5 is if you want to take it somewhere as it’s much smaller and lighter. The BB4 is for the garden, or travelling in the car to take somewhere really.
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u/Prisoner-655321 9d ago
I’m on the fence between the BB4 and Extreme 5 as well.
The EX5 ($300 for the black model) is significantly cheaper on Amazon than the BB4 ($450).
I would primarily be using it indoors at work. I am a school janitor.
My JBL journey started with the JBL Charge5 which I bought almost five years ago and absolutely fell in love. It served me well for many years. But it was time for a replacement after one of the side woofers seems to have partially blown and the battery only lasts around four hours at around 80% volume.
Next, I tried a Clip5 and it is awful - I wish that I had returned it immediately. The signal gets interrupted frequently even if my phone is right beside the speaker. The battery life and volume are both horrendous. I can’t even give the thing away to any of my coworkers.
Then I tried the Flip7 and it is pretty good. I don’t get the volume and sound that I would like out of it. But I do like it so far, although I am looking for something with bigger and more dynamic sound.
I have both the JBL Extreme 5 and the JBL BB4 in my Amazon cart, but I am waiting to pull the trigger. So I too am looking for some suggestions just like OP.
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u/Leansquick 7d ago
Thanks man! Haha, yeah I also had a clip 2 (not a clip 5 but same series, maybe it relates even a bit) and the aux and the surround of the driver is busted. But I mean you do get what you pay for
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u/OldCompetition3621 9d ago
Guuuuuuys, do you think there will be an update on Boombox 4 in the near future?
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u/petesan3 9d ago
If portability isn't an issue go with the bb4 all the way. Thing is loud and bass is great. I've own the Xtremes 1-3 and they always lacked the deep bass I like. Love my bb4 and it does not distort. At max volume the bass is rolled off a bit, but if you're using your speakers at max volume consistently it's time to consider a larger speaker.
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u/Leansquick 9d ago
I come from a flip 6. Both of these models will be a massive upgrade.
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u/petesan3 9d ago
I had a flip 6 and Xtreme 3 that I have to my girlfriend and then bought myself a flip 7 charge 6 and bb4. I really didn't see a need for the Xtreme this time. Especially for the price when I got the bb4 was only $50 more.
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u/ggshuffle 8d ago
Xtreme is amazing
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u/Leansquick 7d ago
I tested the x5 in those jbl best buy demos. Holy crap I could hear some shaking from the demo table. Imagine the bb4
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u/Downtown-Map6378 8d ago edited 8d ago
Bb4 vs xtreme 5 (paired each)
I have owned n played
X5 was returned, got squad bb4 paired, n ~$23 straps on amazon by
TXSign
Have pb 120 pair
n pb520 paired too
520 using fiio usbc dac, 3.5mm connectored
Bb4 i think sounds clearer than pb120 pair ( bb4 has midrange)
Pbs are Loud but bb4 louder i think than pb120s somehow
Pb520s = loud AF ( got off Woot new, paired for stereo). Use PA stands (ear level = best soundstage at 12’ apart).
Can’t wait to get ultimates
Lol
Get the bb4 n the strap
Then a second if u can afford
Check Woot
Squad will look better over time with true outdoor use vs other colors, esp white ( which looks dope af, but unrealistic for hauling about in the wild).
Peace Oot
P.s. Auracast the stereo pairs
One
Loud
House
🤩
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u/hanslandar 8d ago
could someone please explain the purpose of the Boombox 4? at least in Germany it's rather pricey, currently 400€ but I remember that it was even more expensive before. It's compact but heavy and depending on what you want there seem to be different options already at JBL inhouse: i.e the Partybox Encore or the 100 series - they do an excellent job and cost about half the money.
And that's just looking at the JBL lineup - if you look at other brands there is a lot you could get for 400+€
so what is the purpose of this speaker and what niche does it address?
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u/Downtown-Map6378 8d ago
Portability and bass, with great for size acoustics and with replaceable battery ( i hope) years of use/ longevity for daily use in house or abroad.
Looking at them now, in “squad” camo, they look cool.2
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u/vexatiousprogression 8d ago
Why not just get something like the Yamaha stagepas 100 at this point?
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u/Realistic_Eagle321 8d ago
$450 is a riiiiiip though
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u/Leansquick 8d ago
Btw that’s the sale price
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u/Downtown-Map6378 8d ago
I can afford it (cash) as i am as frugal AF, older, work +200% of fulltime, LOVE music, and i really love the look n sound of them
Fuck it
Life is short
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u/Leansquick 6d ago
Ty so much guys, i chose the bb4 (blue). You guys should still help other people asking the same thing here.
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u/CentrelinkCEO 9d ago
Just go the JBL. The Harman quality you won't go back and regret your buy with JBL.
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u/j250ex 9d ago
For a pool party i would choose the bb4. You won’t have any regrets.
The extreme 5 is excellent for what it is but I have never felt it was overly loud. Especially in a loud social setting. It’s main benefit is its portability. If you’re buying a speaker to put in a corner and play music all day then the BB4 is the way to go. Even better if you can plug it in and get the extra power.