If you are in a hurry! here is a quick comparison of JBL Xtreme 2 and UE Megaboom 3.
|
Model |
JBL Xtreme 2 |
UE Megaboom 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions |
11.3 x 5.4 x 5.2 inches |
3.8 x 7.8 x 3.8 inches |
|
Weight |
5.3lb |
2 lb |
|
Charge time |
3.5 hours |
2.75 hours |
|
Playtime |
Up to 15 hours |
Up to 20 hours |
|
Bluetooth Version |
4.2 |
4.2 |
|
Frequency Response |
55Hz – 20kHz |
60Hz – 20kHz |
|
IP Rating |
IPX7 |
IP67 |
|
Number of Drivers |
4 |
2 |
|
Passive radiators |
2 |
2 |
|
Rating |
||
|
Price |
The idea behind a Bluetooth speaker came back in 1998 when the Bluetooth SIG launched with Ericsson and IBM. Since then, many companies adopted and improved the concept of a Bluetooth speaker, and now we have thousands of speakers to choose from.
Choosing a Bluetooth speaker should be based on personal preferences. All Bluetooth speakers are designed for different occasions, and you have to choose the one that works best for you.
When it comes to JBL Xtreme 2 and UE Megaboom 3, they are incredible devices that will get the job done. Each of them has a different way of delivering sound and comes with pros and cons.
Let’s jump down to specifications and see which is better Xtreme 2 or Megaboom 3.
About JBL
JBL is the biggest manufacturer of Bluetooth speakers nowadays. Their signature sound and high-quality speakers became very popular with consumers, which is why, in most cases, they are the first choice for people.
They have a wide range of Bluetooth speakers, and Xtreme 2 is the second-largest speaker in their portfolio.
JBL Xtreme 2
As we mentioned, the Xtreme 2 fits in the mid-sized portable speaker market, and it’s signature raw bass is enough to replace your home audio system.
The Xtreme 2 has JBL’s traditional cylindrical shape. It is made from high-quality fabric and rubber just to make it more durable to hits and bumps. The Xtreme 2 is also IPX7 rated, which means that it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
The Xtreme 2 has extraordinary sound quality, backed up by two 2.75- inch woofers and two 0.8-inch tweeters.
Since we are talking about a bulky Bluetooth speaker with a lot of power, it needs to have a large-sized battery. Fortunately, the JBL comes with a massive 10,000mAh battery that is enough for 15 hours of playtime.
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Pros
- Very loud Bluetooth speaker
- Made from high-quality materials (very durable)
- Waterproof
- Great balance of tones
- Sync connectivity with other JBL devices
Cons
- The bass shadows the highs and mids
- Doesn’t come with equalizer
About Ultimate Ears
Ultimate Ears (UE) is an American in-ear company based in California. The company was founded back in 1995, but later in 2008 was acquired by Logitech and now operates as a subsidiary.
They are one of the top brands in the Bluetooth speaker market. All of their products match the same signature design with oversized plus and minus signs, which look incredibly elegant.
UE Megaboom 3
On the other side, we have the smaller UE Megaboom 3, which also delivers outstanding performance.
It’s rugged build accents the portability of this Bluetooth speaker. Even though it is a smaller Bluetooth speaker, it can still produce intensely deep bass, which can be a bit of a problem since it pushes back the highs and mids.
The UE Megaboom 3 has many extra features from its predecessor, like the programmable button, plus it is built with higher standards.
The UE has a cylindrical shape that is designed to sit vertically, and it is IP67 rated, which means that it can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, and is dustproof.
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Pros
- High-quality sound
- Intense bass
- Long battery life (up to 20 hours)
- Portable and easy to handle
- Very durable
Cons
- No wired connection
- The amount of bass can push back highs and mids
Face to Face
Which is Better – Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 or JBL Xtreme 2?
Both of these Bluetooth speakers are outstanding, and if we like to choose the winner between JBL Xtreme 2 vs. UE Megaboom 3, we have to dig deeper and compare each of their characteristics.
Design
Design-wise even though they are in the same mid-sized Bluetooth speaker category, the JBL Xtreme 2 is significantly bigger than the UE Megaboom 3. In fact, the JBL Xtreme 2 is 1.47kg heavier than the UE Megaboom 3.
The JBL Xtreme 2 dimensions are 136 x 288 x 132 mm (W x D x H), whereas the UE Megaboom 3 comes in smaller size 87 x 87 x 225 (W x D x H). This makes the UE Megaboom much flexible and easier to carry.
They have the same cylindrical shape, but the JBL Xtreme 2 sits horizontally, and the UE Megaboom is designed as a vertical Bluetooth speaker.
They both have outstanding looking designs that will grab the whole attention in the room. When it comes to colors, the JBL Xtreme 2 comes in 5 color options: Blue, Red, Black, Camouflage, and green.
On the other hand, the UE Megaboom 3 has two-tone color options that make the Xtreme 2 a bit dated. The UE Megaboom 3 comes in Black, Red, Blue, and Purple, making it look stunning.
Both speakers are very durable with the rugged surface that protects them from almost anything. Even though the Xtreme 2 is IPX7 certified and can float on water, the UE Megaboom 3 durability is on another level.
Winner: UE Megaboom 3
Performance and Sound Quality
Clearly, the most important factor to consider before buying a Bluetooth speaker is of sound quality. However, it is tough to compare these speakers since both of them sound amazing.
The Xtreme 2 is significantly louder due to the larger drivers at its disposal. The Xtreme 2 has two 2.75- inch woofers and two 0.8-inch tweeters compared to the UE Megaboom 3, which only has two 2-inch full-range drivers.
The Xtreme 2 also has a wider frequency response of 55 Hz to 20kHz, whereas the UE Megaboom 3 has 60 Hz to 20 kHz.
However, it is not all about loudness. The UE Megaboom 3 is enough to fill a room with crisp audio sound. Additionally, it has a 360 degrees spatial sound, which means that the sound waves travel equally to any corner of the room.
Since the Xtreme 2 has stronger lower notes, sometimes the highs and lows can be pushed back. The vocals also don’t sound very lively if you pump up the volume.
The Xtreme 2 has two different modes, allowing you to select whether you are going to use the speaker in your home or outside. It makes a few tweaks to the sound that makes a difference.
Both speakers sound incredible and can be used for different occasions. For instance, if you want a sharper sound, you should go with the UE Megaboom 3, but if you like a hard kick and loudness, you should go with the JBL Xtreme 2.
Winner: JBL Xtreme 2
Features
Until now, both Bluetooth devices are head-to-head. To determine the winner, we should go through the different features they offer.
Let’s start with connectivity. The UE Megaboom has an increased range from its predecessor from 100ft to 150ft. However, that is not enough to beat the Xtreme 2, which has an extra 20ft range. All of this might not be relevant to you since you will be playing your BT speaker closeby, but you have to make sure you have the best connection to the speaker.
Each company offers an app so that you can control your speaker even better. However, both apps aren’t great.
The JBL app offers different things such as, split the sound to the left and the right speakers, but the UE’s app allows you more customization. For example, it has four preset equalizer options, plus you can challenge your friend as a DJ. Additionally, the new Megaboom 3 Magic button can give you shortcut to Apple Music, Spotify or Deezer’s playlists.
On the other hand, the Xtreme 2 has a USB port that can be used for charging your phone, and also a 3.5mm jack if you want to switch to a wired connection.
Obviously, both speakers have exciting features, but the UE Megaboom 3 seems more productive and has few more gimmicks to offer.
Winner: UE Megaboom 3
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Battery Life
Since you are interested in buying a Bluetooth speaker that is commonly used outside, you have to choose the one with a long-lasting battery.
Both speakers have incredible performance, which means they have to be powered by a large battery. The battery life depends on many things such as usage, volume, type of music, and other factors.
The JBL Xtreme 2 can last up to 15 hours, which is not enough even with its massive 10,000 mAh battery. Remember, even the smaller version JBL Charge 4 can last up to 20 hours, so the Xtreme 2 should be better.
On the other hand, the UE Megaboom 3 can get up to 20 hours of playtime. Remember, the Xtreme 2 has more power and more drivers, which is why its battery lasts for a shorter time.
Winner: UE Megaboom 3
What’s the Difference Between The JBL Xtreme 2 and UE Megaboom 3?
Microphone
One of the best things about JBL Xtreme 2 is its user-friendliness. It has a built-in microphone that can be used for voice commands, as well as answering calls. The difference between the Xtreme 2 and UE Megaboom is that the Xtreme 2 has a noise-canceling microphone.
You can have a conversation over your Bluetooth speaker, and the person on the other side will hear you perfectly without any background noises.
On the other hand, the biggest drawback with the UE Megaboom 3 is the lack of a microphone.
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Active and Passive Speaker
Another critical difference is that the JBL Xtreme 2 is actually an active speaker. This means that an amplifier is integrated into the device.
The amplifier is used to transform small into bigger signals without making any changes in the sound quality.
However, the UE Megaboom is a passive speaker that doesn’t come with its own amplifier. Its impedance is 4 Ohms passive per driver.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that it can produce lower quality sound. In fact, the amplifier of the speaker will only improve its loudness.
Wireless Charging
Another essential advantage to the UE Megaboom 3 is the wireless charging. The device comes with a dock where you can place it, and it will be charged at all times. The UE Megaboom 3 is also compatible with any other wireless charger.
On the other hand, the JBL Xtreme 2 only offers wired charging.
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Verdict
Choose the JBL Xtreme 2 if:
- You want to use it more actively outdoors.
- You are looking for a harder bass kick.
- You want to use it as your portable phone charger.
- You want a very loud sound.
- You don’t mind the size.
Choose the UE Megaboom 3 if:
- You choose looks over loudness.
- You want a longer-lasting battery.
- You want more customizable options.
- You want balanced sounds.
Both speakers have excellent performance and it is hard to choose which is better Xtreme 2 or Megaboom 3. With the Xtreme 2, you’ll get more sound for your money. It is louder and far more powerful than the UE Megaboom 3.
On the other hand, with the UE Megaboom 3, you’ll get a more precise virtual sound and a longer-lasting battery.
Basically, the Xtreme 2 is designed for small to medium-sized parties, whereas the UE Megaboom is more for casual use every day.
