JBL is a well-known and popular brand in the world of speakers. From small Bluetooth speakers like the Flip and Clip families to fully wireless earphones and powerful, large speakers from the PartyBox series, almost all models of this brand meet your expectations of a quality speaker, both in terms of build quality and sound quality.
The first speaker of the Xtreme series was released in 2015; a family that, despite their large dimensions and relatively heavy weight, is still portable, and their exceptional sound volume has made them an ideal option for parties and outdoor activities.
The third generation of JBL Xtreme speaker, which was released in 2020, appears to be better than the previous generation in some cases; it has a lighter weight, uses a USB-C charger instead of a proprietary adapter, supports equalizer settings, and has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
However, on the other hand, in some cases, it has regressed; for example, the removal of support for voice assistants and reduced Bluetooth range.
Join Buytronics as we review the JBL Xtreme 3 to see if this $300 luxury speaker is worth buying.
Design and Build Quality of JBL Xtreme 3
JBL Xtreme 3 is a cylindrical-shaped speaker measuring around 29.8 x 13.6 x 13.4 centimeters with a relatively heavy weight of approximately 2 kilograms. It features four drivers in the middle and passive radiators on both ends to enhance the low-frequency response or bass coverage.
Compared to the previous generation’s IPX7 standard, the JBL Bluetooth speaker has an IP67 certification, the highest level of consumer product resistance against water and dust, making it withstand both water and dust. Therefore, you can comfortably take it to the beach, desert, bathroom, or nature. However, note that this speaker doesn’t float on water but can survive underwater for up to 30 minutes.
This Bluetooth Speaker comes with a portable strap and has a sturdy strap that allows you to throw it over your shoulder. However, its weight of around 2 kilograms may be heavy for many people, and if you are walking or hiking long distances, the pressure of the strap on your shoulder can be uncomfortable. There is also a bottle opener at the end of the strap to alleviate the worry of opening your drinks!
The bottom section of the speaker has raised edges that prevent it from slipping on smooth surfaces. The plastic bumpers on both ends also prevent damage to the speaker if it falls from the side of the passive radiators.
There are two USB ports, a C-type and an A-type, on the back of the speaker and under the small plastic section. The USB-C port can be used to charge other devices. Next to these ports, there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack for playing music through a wired connection, although the cable itself is not included in the box.
JBL Xtreme 3’s control buttons are located at the speaker’s top, and we will explain them below. This speaker comes in three colors: black, dark blue, and a camouflage.
Control Your JBL Speaker With The JBL App
The buttons of JBL Xtreme 3, like many other speakers of this brand, are located in the top section.
These control buttons include volume control, a dedicated PartyBoost button for connecting two or more PartyBoost-enabled speakers together, a play/pause/skip button (only for the next song), a power button, and a Bluetooth button for pairing the speaker with a phone. Unlike the other buttons, the power and Bluetooth buttons are not prominent but have LED lights. The minimalist and large JBL logo underneath also indicates the level of charge.
The JBL Xtreme 3 portable speaker comes with a companion app called JBL Portable, which is available for Android and iOS. Through this app, you can receive firmware updates, read the user manual, or turn off the sound that plays when the speaker turns on. You can also use the PartyBoost option to connect multiple compatible speakers instead of using the physical button.
If you want to create a stereo mode, you must connect two Xtreme 3 speakers, but any JBL speaker that supports PartyBoost can be connected to play the same song simultaneously.
More importantly, the speaker’s companion app provides equalizer settings that are simple yet efficient, and you can feel the impact of their changes in different frequency ranges.
The Sound Quality of JBL Xtreme 3
JBL Xtreme 3 speaker supports Bluetooth 5.1 with a range of 58 meters and the standard SBC codec and is not equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity for high-resolution audio playback. However, unlike many portable speakers and, of course, similar to the previous generation, it uses an AUX port (3.5mm jack) to bypass the limitations of Bluetooth audio quality when connected via wire, although no cable is included in the product box. The delay of Bluetooth connection on this speaker is minimal on both iOS and Android devices, making it a suitable option for watching movies.
This JBL Bluetooth Speaker also supports simultaneous Bluetooth pairing with two devices, known as the “multipoint” feature, which allows you to pause music playback from one device manually and immediately resume from the second.
The Xtreme 3 features four drivers: two 70mm woofers with a 25-watt amplifier to cover the weaker low-frequency processing and two 20mm tweeters with a 25-watt power output for producing and executing high-frequency audio. Therefore, it has an extremely high volume and provides satisfying sound separation between the singer and the instruments.
The Xtreme 3 speaker covers a frequency range of 53.5 Hz to 20,000 Hz. With a wired connection, you can enjoy audio content with no lag, but you should not expect the performance level of high-end over-ear headphones like Sony XM5 or Apple AirPods Max.
In general, the sound profile of the JBL Xtreme 3 is similar to what you would expect from JBL speakers; almost neutral, with special emphasis on the mid-range and slightly more emphasis on bass, with weaker coverage in the treble range.
Since the JBL Xtreme 3 is marketed as a party and outdoor speaker, We tested the sound quality with some music.
The song “This Is Our Planet Now” by “Volkor X”, has a complex mix, and not every audio system can handle the fine details of the song. However, to my surprise, unlike my expectations from party and outdoor speakers, the Xtreme 3 could play it with amazing mix quality.
The advantage of the JBL Xtreme 3 is not only for parties and outdoor spaces, but also it has a very good performance in separating instrument sounds and bringing out details from the heart of the songs.
Its exceptional coverage and almost neutral midrange, where the singer’s voice and most instruments are heard, make the speaker a desirable option for listening to acoustic, pop, classical, and orchestral music.
For example, Opeth’s song “To Rid the Disease” is filled with various instruments that are added to the song and blend together at some points while disappearing into the background at others. Extreme 3 exhibited an outstanding performance in playing this particular song, as it showcased the striking beats of the drums and electric guitar, accompanied by the delightful melody of the piano and the vocals.
So far, everything has been satisfactory, but the weakness of JBL Xtreme 3 is more pronounced in the upper range, where the treble levels sound slightly muted compared to the natural mode. This can make it difficult to hear songs that heavily feature instruments like harmonica and strings or other high-pitched sounds such as soprano vocals, resulting in a somewhat dull listening experience.
For example, in the song “Sentient Oona” by the psychedelic punk band Thee Oh Sees, where the lead guitar sound is typically bell-like and punchy from minute 1:33, when played through Xtreme 3, almost all of that bell-like quality of the sound is lost at times, making it annoying and lifeless to the ear.
The soundstage performance of the Xtreme 3 could be improved, particularly if you intend to utilize the speaker for party purposes. Although the left and right channel separation is excellent, and you can hear the sound flowing from one channel to another in the metal song “Symphony of Destruction” by Megadeth, it feels like the sound is only coming toward you from one direction, not from all directions. Therefore, that strange feeling of sitting in the middle of a concert hall or watching the stages of music production in your studio will not be conveyed to you.
It should be noted that JBL has considered equalizer settings in its mobile app for speakers, which can be manipulated to change the frequency response of different ranges and increase bass and treble coverage. Although these settings are simple and only have four levels of variation for each range, you can easily adjust bass and treble levels to your liking.
Battery life of JBL Xtreme 3.
JBL claims that the 10,000 mAh battery of the Xtreme 3 can provide up to 15 hours of playback time. I had this speaker for several weeks to review and didn’t even have to charge it once.
So rest assured, you won’t have any concerns about battery life with this speaker. Furthermore, if the speaker remains unused for 20 minutes, it will automatically power off to conserve its battery life.
Charging the massive battery of the Xtreme 3 also requires a considerable amount of energy and takes around 2 hours with the USB-C adapter included in the box.
The Xtreme 3 speaker boasts a noteworthy characteristic of having both Type-C and Type-A USB ports. This allows for the convenience of simultaneously charging your phone or other devices while enjoying music through the speaker.
You can even charge the speaker through the USB-C port while listening to music and simultaneously charge your phone using the USB Type-A port.
Conclusion: Is JBL Xtreme 3 Worth Buying?
JBL Xtreme 3 is an outstanding speaker with excellent sound quality and volume, a satisfying battery life, and water and dust resistance.
However, it has a very high price tag and experiences few improvements compared to its predecessor.
If you want to spend half the cost of an Extreme 3 on a portable speaker and still enjoy satisfactory sound quality, standard water resistance (IP67), and longer battery life, JBL Charge 5 is a good option; the only downside is that unlike Xtreme 3, it cannot play stereo content.
If budget is not a concern with JBL speakers price, and you are willing to spend more than the cost of Xtreme 3, you can also consider JBL Partybox 710. This speaker has better bass coverage, and increasing the volume does not compromise the sound quality.
Where to Buy JBL Xtreme 3 in Dubai, UAE
If you live in UAE and want to find the best JBL store in Dubai, Visit Buytronics! We are an online electronic store in Dubai with a wide range of electronic products, especially JBL Bluetooth Speakers and JBL Headphones. Buy now and experience the best sound quality that you can get from Bluetooth Speakers.