Bluetooth speakers have become a must-have gadget for music lovers who want to enjoy their favorite tunes anywhere. With so many options on the market, choosing the right one can be tricky.
Two of the top contenders are the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 and the JBL Xtreme 3. But which one is better?
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll examine the key features, sound quality, battery life, design and more to help you decide if the MEGABOOM 3 or JBL Xtreme 3 is the best Bluetooth speaker for you.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Specs | MEGABOOM 3 | Xtreme 3 |
| Sound Quality | Crisp mids/highs, very balanced | Bold sound with thumping bass |
| Battery Life | 20 hours | 15 hours |
| Waterproof Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
| Dimensions | 8.9” x 3.4” | 10” x 5” x 18.1” |
| Weight | 2 lbs | 5.25 lbs |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 | v5.0 |
| WiFi Streaming | No | Yes, Chromecast built-in |
| Price | $199 | $179 |
Overview and Specs
The MEGABOOM 3 and Xtreme 3 are both portable Bluetooth speakers with big, bold sound. But there are some key differences:
- The MEGABOOM 3 has a cylindrical design while the Xtreme 3 is more box-shaped.
- The MEGABOOM 3 is IP67 waterproof and dustproof while the Xtreme 3 has an IP67 waterproof design.
- The MEGABOOM 3 offers 20 hours of battery life Vs. 15 hours for the Xtreme 3.
- The MEGABOOM 3 has a frequency response range of 60Hz – 20KHz compared to 50Hz – 20KHz for the Xtreme 3.
- The MEGABOOM 3 contains two 2” drivers and two passive radiators while the Xtreme 3 has dual passive radiators and dual external passive radiators.
Both deliver 360-degree immersive sound and havePartyUp features that let you connect multiple speakers together. But let’s dig deeper into how they stack up across key categories.
Also Read: UE Megaboom 3 Better Than JBL Charge 5?
Sound Quality
When it comes to audio performance, both the MEGABOOM 3 and Xtreme 3 produce bold, crisp sound with thumping bass. However, there are some subtle differences in sound signature.
The MEGABOOM 3 puts out slightly more detailed treble and mids. Its two active drivers and dual passive radiators give it a very well-balanced sound profile. The sound is clear and articulate, allowing you to pick out intricacies in your music.
The Xtreme 3 has JBL’s signature lively sound with an extra bass boost. While the mids are still present, the sound is a bit more biased towards the low end. If you love deep bass, the Xtreme 3 really delivers with its dual passive radiators. However, some may find the bass overpowering on certain tracks.
At medium to high volumes, both speakers can fill a large room with immersive 360-degree sound. However, the MEGABOOM 3 sounds slightly bigger and more spacious. Its output tops out at around 90 dB while the Xtreme 3 maxes out at about 86 dB.
So for those looking for a more neutral sound profile with crisp mids and highs, the MEGABOOM 3 is the better pick. But bass heads who want booming low end will appreciate the extra oomph from the Xtreme 3.
Design
The cylindrical MEGABOOM 3 and rectangular Xtreme 3 have very distinct designs. Here’s how they compare aesthetically:
- The MEGABOOM 3 has a rounded, almost can-like shape standing at 8.9 inches tall. Available colors include Sunset Red, Ultraviolet Purple, Graphite Gray, and Black.
- The Xtreme 3 has a rectangular box design measuring 5 x 10 x 18.1 inches. Color options include Black, Blue, Green, Red, and Squad (tan).
- Both have easy to use playback controls on the top. The MEGABOOM 3 has large volume buttons while the Xtreme 3 uses a more stylish touch-sensitive pad.
- Both speakers are portable but the cylindrical MEGABOOM 3 may fit into bags and backpacks a bit easier. The Xtreme 3 has a handy strap for toting.
- The MEGABOOM 3 has a mostly fabric exterior while the Xtreme 3 mixes fabrics with sturdy plastic.
Which design you prefer really comes down to personal taste. But the MEGABOOM 3’s softer shapes and lighter weight make it a bit more portable-friendly. The Xtreme 3 looks sleek but its boxy shape isn’t quite as easy to travel with.
Durability
Rugged construction is crucial for Bluetooth speakers meant for outdoor use. Both the MEGABOOM 3 and Xtreme 3 are designed to withstand the elements, but there are some resilience differences:
- The MEGABOOM 3 has an IP67 rating making it waterproof and dustproof. It can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
- The Xtreme 3 is also IP67 rated so it can withstand immersion in water. However, JBL only claims it is waterproof, not dustproof.
- Both speakers have durable fabric coverings. The Xtreme 3 adds sturdy rubbers bumpers for extra impact protection.
- The MEGABOOM 3 is covered by a 2-year limited warranty compared to 1 year for the Xtreme 3.
For most users, both speakers provide more than enough durability for outdoor pool parties and camping trips. The MEGABOOM 3 seems a bit more resilient based on its official IP rating and longer warranty. But both models can take a splash or drop without issue.
Also Read: Differences Between Bose And Sony Speakers.
Battery Life
Battery life is crucial for portable Bluetooth speakers. Here is how the MEGABOOM 3 and Xtreme 3 compare:
- The MEGABOOM 3 is rated for an excellent 20 hours of continuous playtime on a full charge.
- The Xtreme 3 provides about 15 hours of battery life on a single charge.
- Both speakers have a battery indicator that shows at a glance how much playtime is left.
- They charge up in about 2.5 hours via their micro USB ports. The Xtreme 3 has a USB-C port as well.
- While music is playing, you can tap the top of each speaker to hear a voice prompt telling you the remaining battery level.
The MEGABOOM 3 clearly wins when it comes to battery life, providing over 25% more playtime compared to the Xtreme 3. For long days at the beach or pool, those extra few hours can really make a difference.
Connectivity
Modern Bluetooth speakers need to make it easy to stream music from all your devices. Here’s how the MEGABOOM 3 and Xtreme 3 compare:
- Both speakers have Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity. This allows audio streaming from smartphones, tablets, laptops and more.
- They both provide a 100 foot (30 meter) Bluetooth range so you can roam freely without losing audio.
- The MEGABOOM 3 and Xtreme 3 support dual pairing so you can toggle between two connected devices.
- Using the Ultimate Ears and JBL smartphone apps, multiple speakers can be linked together to play audio in sync.
- Only the Xtreme 3 has built-in Chromecast support for WiFi music streaming without Bluetooth.
Overall, both deliver excellent wireless connectivity and multi-pairing capabilities. The Xtreme 3 pulls ahead slightly with WiFi streaming via Chromecast. But for most users, the stellar Bluetooth performance of both models will cover all their needs.
Price
With big sound comes bigger price tags. Here’s how the MEGABOOM 3 and Xtreme 3 compare cost-wise:
- Retail price for the MEGABOOM 3 is $199.
- The JBL Xtreme 3 has a slightly lower retail price of $179.
- Both go on sale periodically, bringing costs down closer to the $150 range.
- The speakers come in around the same price bracket, making cost less of a distinguishing factor.
Unless you catch a major sale or promotion, the Xtreme 3 generally has a slight edge when it comes to price. But given the performance advantages of the MEGABOOM 3 in areas like sound quality and battery life, the higher price is easy to justify.
Also watch the video!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, the MEGABOOM 3 is considered a slightly better overall Bluetooth speaker compared to the JBL Xtreme 3. The MEGABOOM 3 offers superior sound quality, battery life, waterproof rating, and a more portable design. However, the Xtreme 3 provides powerful audio at a lower price point.
In a head-to-head comparison between two popular models, the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 is considered better than the JBL Xtreme 3. The MEGABOOM 3 wins out due to its more balanced, nuanced sound, longer battery life, sturdier build, and cylindrical shape that’s easier to travel with.
When comparing the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 and the JBL Xtreme 3, the MEGABOOM 3 is viewed as the better Bluetooth speaker overall. It edges out the Xtreme 3 with its 20 hour battery life Vs. 15 hours, IP67 rating Vs. IPX7, superior 360 sound, and slightly more premium build quality. However, the Xtreme 3 costs less.
There are few Bluetooth speakers considered definitively better than the MEGABOOM 3. Top alternatives include the Sonos Move which offers better sound quality and WiFi streaming, the Bose Soundlink Revolve+ for its excellent audio fidelity in a compact design, and the JBL Boombox 2 for much louder volume and bass.
But overall, the MEGABOOM 3 remains one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers available.
Also Read: Choose Between JBL Flip Essential And Flip 5.
The Verdict
Based on this head-to-head comparison, the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 emerges as the winner over the JBL Xtreme 3:
- It offers slightly better sound quality with crisp mids/highs and a very balanced sound profile.
- The cylindrical design is more portable and travel-friendly.
- It has superior waterproof/dustproof ratings and longer warranty coverage.
- Battery life is outstanding with 20 hours of playtime.
- The user experience is slick and seamless between the speaker and UE app.
While the JBL Xtreme 3 puts up a good fight, especially with its lively sound and lower price point, the MEGABOOM 3’s combination of stellar audio performance and resilient design makes it a better overall package for most buyers.
So if you’re looking for a durable, go-anywhere Bluetooth speaker with room-filling sound, class-leading battery life, and sleek styling, the MEGABOOM 3 is the top choice. But you can’t go wrong with the punchy, powerful audio coming from the Xtreme 3 either.