Sometimes, you just need more power and volume than a typical Bluetooth speaker can provide. Say, for instance, you're working in your yard or throwing a party outdoors or in a large space. For those occasions, you want sound that's big enough to hold its own against a crowd of people, or to fill up your entire house.
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That's where theJBL Xtreme 4 comes into play. This football-sized Bluetooth speaker delivers a surprisingly big sound capable of being heard quite clearly indeed, even from a distance. In other words, this baby goes beyond Spinal Tap's 11.
Maybe even 13. But what kind of sound does the Xtreme 4 produce? Let's talk about that.
View at AmazonGiven the chonky size of this Bluetooth speaker, one of the first things I wanted to do was crank it up to see just how loud it could get. So after connecting it, I opened Spotify, launched my go-to song ("Analog Kid" by Rush), and tapped the volume button until it reached its limit.
My office is about 20' by 20' with 15' ceilings. When the Xtreme 4 was at its loudest, it was uncomfortable; so much so, that I thought, "If it's too loud, you're too old." If you were to ask my wife, she'd happily tell you that I always (as Gene Simmons once sang) "love it loud." So, when I say a speaker can get uncomfortably loud, you can trust me.
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To my surprise, even at ear-defying decibels, the sound was still pretty clean. No, this isn't a speaker that audiophiles will drool over, but it's certain to please anyone looking for more volume than necessary with that typical JBL sound. And even though the JBL Portable app only offers 3 different EQ settings (none of which are customizable), the sound is on par with most Bluetooth speakers I've tested. Here's the list of songs I tested (and my reactions to them):
As I said, this isn't going to check all the boxes for true audiophiles, but for anyone that wants big sound without distortion, theJBL Xtreme 4 is a great option. It's also built to last, and includes a shoulder strap for easy carrying. With summer nearly here, if you're looking for a "party in a box," this Bluetooth speaker's got you covered.
One final thing I'll say is that of all the genres I tested with the Xtreme 4, it handled metal best. So, if you're looking for a headbanger of a speaker, this is the one.