Bose SoundLink Max vs JBL Xtreme 4

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SoundLink Max compared with Xtreme 4

	BoseSoundLink Max	JBLXtreme 4
Overview
Released
Released	May 2024	June 2024
Sound
Type
Type	Portable speaker	Portable speaker
Channels
Channels	Stereo	–
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos	No	No
Drivers
Drivers	Three transducers and two custom passive radiators	Two 70 mm woofers, two 20 mm tweeters and dual passive bass radiators; AI Sound Boost
Amplifiers
Amplifiers	–	2 × 30 W RMS woofer + 2 × 20 W RMS tweeter on mains power; 2 × 20 W RMS woofer + 2 × 15 W RMS tweeter on battery
Frequency response
Frequency response	–	44 Hz – 20 kHz; signal-to-noise ratio over 80 dB
Room tuning
Room tuning	Adjustable EQ (bass, mid-range and treble) in the Bose app	EQ presets and a customisable EQ (highs, mids and lows) in the JBL Portable app
Connections
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	No	No
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
AirPlay
AirPlay	No	No
Voice assistants
Voice assistants	None	None
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.4 (Bose UK spec page; the launch press release said 5.3); SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive (Snapdragon Sound); multipoint; Google Fast Pair; A2DP, AVRCP, SPP, iAP and BLE; 9 m range	Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio; A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.6; multipoint
Ports
Ports	USB-C in and out (charges a phone); 3.5 mm AUX input	USB-C in and out; charge out at 5 V / 3 A, 9 V / 2 A or 11 V / 2 A; 5–20 V, 3 A input
Streaming
Streaming	Bluetooth; shortcut button can start Spotify Tap	–
Multi-room
Multi-room	Stereo Mode or Party Mode with a second SoundLink Max; SimpleSync with Bose smart soundbars and speakers	Auracast stereo pairing of two Xtreme 4s and multi-speaker playback with other Auracast JBL speakers; also connects with PartyBoost speakers
App
App	Bose app	JBL Portable app
Design
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 20 hours	Up to 24 hours
Water and dust resistance
Water and dust resistance	IP67	IP67
Weight
Weight	2.2 kg	2.1 kg (better)
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Up to 20 hours; 5 hours to charge; USB-C power adapter not included outside the US	Up to 24 hours, plus 6 hours with Playtime Boost; replaceable 68 Wh (7.2 V, 9,444 mAh) lithium-ion polymer battery, sold separately; 3.5 hours to charge at 20 V / 3 A; 10 minutes of charging gives 2 hours of play
Controls
Controls	Buttons, including a shortcut button for AUX switching or Spotify Tap	–
Microphones
Microphones	None	–
Mounting
Mounting	Removable rope handle included; rope carrying strap sold separately	Shoulder strap that can be worn crossbody, with a built-in bottle opener
Size
Size	4.73 × 10.42 × 4.13 in (H × W × D)	297 × 149 × 141 mm (W × H × D)
Colours
Colours	Black, Blue Dusk	Black, Blue, Black Camo (JBL Singapore)
In the box
In the box	SoundLink Max, USB-C to USB-C cable, safety sheet	Xtreme 4, shoulder strap (JBL Singapore), PD power adaptor (spec sheet), quick start guide, warranty card and safety sheet