JBL Xtreme 3 Review – Ideal for Party & Outdoor Speakers

Over the years, JBL’s fondness for outdoor wireless speakers like the Xtreme 3 has resulted in some intelligently built, economically priced, and outstanding-sounding devices. Several generations of Flip and Charge models have received great feedback, and the previous generation, Xtreme, received almost five stars on Amazon. But what about this latest Xtreme 3 iteration?

The JBL Xtreme 3 is a wireless speaker designed to handle a variety of listening circumstances, such as enjoying a pool party or a get-together at the local park or supplying background music to a relaxing holiday afternoon at home. But, as you’re about to discover, this speaker has much more than simply a solid exterior. How about this portable speaker? Let’s go check the details in the JBL Xtreme 3 review right now.

JBL Xtreme 3 Review – Design and Durable

The JBL Xtreme 3 is a big cylinder with passive bass radiators at each end. Its shape looks very similar to the JBL Charge 5 or Zealot S67 portable speakers. The primary drives in the center remain a sturdy and dependable arrangement. The IP67 certification of Xtreme 3 is higher than the IPX7 classification of its predecessor, Xtreme 2. As a result, the JBL Xtreme3 speaker is dust- and water-resistant. The Xtreme 3 can withstand a pond dive; besides, dirt and sand don’t get behind the grille.

However, the majority of the similarities between the predecessor and the latest Xtreme speakers cease there. The Xtreme 3 Bluetooth speaker is huge for a “portable” Bluetooth speaker; it measures 13.4 x 29.8 x 13.6cm and weighs 4.34 pounds with its carrying strap. That is, it is portable in the same way as a folding chair. Its weight is slightly lighter than that of the Anker Soundcore Motion Boom+ (5.03 pounds). You can see two hooks used for attaching the supplied shoulder strap. The JBL Xtreme 3 comes with a strap; you can drape it over your shoulder, but the weight will be noticeable. After a while, you will feel pressure on your shoulders due to its weight. If you traveled up mountains or even walked long distances on a peaceful trail with this speaker, it would undoubtedly add to your burden.

The strap is designed to sling the shoulders, letting you be hands-free to carry other objects or hold beach supplies or party beverages. Another benefit is that the carrying strap has a bottle opener that makes the JBL Xtreme 3 always ready to get the party started. It can open the bottle, even though it is a bit difficult to open.

In terms of the design, one of the differences between Xtreme 2 and 3 is that Xtreme 3 has no little stands underneath but uses strips of super-grippy material instead. While Xtreme 2 has more stability when placed on any surface, That makes the JBL Xtreme 3’s speaker placement less stable than the Xtreme 2. However, it can be placed on flat ground without any issues. But you should be more careful if you need to put it on a slope or curved surface.

Plastic bumpers on its ends allow the speaker to bounce, especially if you drop it bass radiator-side down. Bumpers prevent dents and damage, but they also mean these areas quickly collect scuffs and marks.

Physical Control and Connectivities

Around the back of the speaker are one USB-A, one USB-C, and a 3.5mm Aux input. The USB-A output is used to provide power to any device in an emergency. For example, if your smartphone runs out of juice, you can top up the power on your smartphone via this USB-A port. While connecting to a smartphone or tablet, the battery indicator beneath the JBL logo will light up to indicate that charging has begun. The USB-C input is used for charging the speaker. And the 3.5mm Aux input is used for wired playback. All of these are shielded from water, dust, and debris by a tiny door.

There are physical buttons for pairing, power, volume, and play/pause on top of the cylindrical-esque speaker, as well as a dedicated button for pairing with compatible JBL speakers. JBL’s PartyBoost mode lets you connect compatible JBL speakers for stereo sound. You can also link numerous speakers for a basic multi-room setup.

The JBL Xtreme 3 utilizes Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. You can connect to two devices at the same time. The Bluetooth work range is just standard: 10 meters. Its latency is okay both on iOS and Android. You can use JBL Xtreme 3 for watching movies without delay between picture and sound.

JBL Xtreme 3 Speaker Review – Battery Life

If the speaker is not used for charging your devices, the built-in battery of the Xtreme 3 will provide approximately 15 hours of playtime. That’s enough for a small party or an overnight party. The number of hours of playtime can vary depending on your usage. It may not be 15 hours, probably less or more. I like the saving power feature. The speaker will auto-power off after 20 minutes of inactivity. However, some think 15 hours of playtime is too little, so if you want a portable speaker that lasts even longer for a single charge, the W-King X10 70W portable speaker may be a good choice for you.

This speaker consumes a lot of power while charging; therefore, it requires the USB-C converter that comes with it.

JBL Xtreme 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – The Sound Quality

The JBL Xtreme 3 speaker can reproduce frequencies ranging from 53.5 Hz to 20 kHz. This speaker delivers drums loudly while retaining vocals and treble sounds such as guitars. A wired connection will provide better sound than connecting via Bluetooth. 100 watts of power gives loudness without a doubt. This speaker is very loud and can fill a large room. But if the speaker is increased to high or maximum volume levels, the sound may not be as clean as it should be.

The Xtreme 3 portable speakers have 2 drivers and tweeters for dynamic and immersive sound, plus 2 passive JBL radiators for deep bass. You can easily hear vocals, drums, guitars, and other instruments in concerts.

Surely, with this price, the JBL Xtreme 3 has the feature of PartyBoost and also supports the JBL Portable app. That means you can connect to two PartyBoosst-compatible JBL speakers to create stereo surround sound across a larger space. There is graphic EQ, which lets you customize the sound profile to your favorite style.

However, PartyBoost may not be very effective if you put two speakers too far apart. So even though PartyBoost makes the Xtreme 3 speakers provide louder and stereo sound, you should not place them too far away.

Compare JBL Xtreme 3 to Similar Portable Bluetooth Speakers

JBL Xtreme 3 Review – Pros & Cons

JBL Xtreme 3 Review – Final Verdict

The JBL Xtreme 3 portable speaker is good for music, and the sound is relatively clear. And the bass is deep and strong enough. It also delivers clear mids, vocals, and crisp highs. All in all, in the JBL Xtreme 3 review, it’s suited for a wide range of music genres. The design is modern and handsome. It’s durable with an IP67 rating and is waterproof and dustproof, which means that it can withstand water, rain, dust, and sand. So you can take it to pool parties or outdoor parks. For some who just want a loud speaker that is durable, the JBL Xtreme 3 is good.

Where to buy JBL Xtreme 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

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