We love JBL’s cylindrical range of Bluetooth speakers, especially the larger models. They emit huge sound, are protected from the elements, include large batteries for extended playback away from the mains, and cost nothing. Having a waterproof speaker has its advantages. Even if you don’t play water sports or regularly go to the pool, an all-weather-resistant speaker is much more versatile than a regular plug-in speaker on your living room couch.
There are only a few companies on the market that offer such a thing, and JBL is one of the most prolific. With the original Xtreme, the company has taken it a step further, adding a handy carrying strap so you can take the speaker anywhere. The all-new Xtreme 2 is the second version of a portable yet powerful-sounding Bluetooth speaker. The unit features a strap that attaches to each end of the Xtreme 2 via two carabiners.
There is shoulder padding in the middle of the strap, and carrying the speaker is quite comfortable. The strap is critical in reinforcing Xtreme’s identity as a boombox. It is also sturdy. The grille is durable, probably made of nylon fabric, and a sturdy rubber gasket on the ports at the back ensures the JBL Xtreme 2 is IPX7 waterproof. If you accidentally submerge it in a swimming pool, there will be no problem.
IPX7 means that the unit has been tested to be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes. The question is not so much how well the JBL Xtreme 2 can withstand the outdoors-it will do just fine. It is a question of whether the speaker will be suitable for your home. To begin with, since the JBL Xtreme 2 belongs to the large speaker category, it is not surprising that it has a rather high price, but since the JBL Xtreme 2 now has a successor, it is possible to find this speaker at a considerably lower price. All JBL Xtreme speakers, including the JBL Xtreme 2, have a 10,000 mAh battery, which means there has never been an upgrade in battery life for these speakers.
