JBL Lifestyle Xtreme 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

If you see the Portable Bluetooth Speaker , JBL's Xtreme 2 has a few things going for it, notably the best waterproof rating  in this roundup and a hefty shoulder strap to make carrying it around a doddle. True, its rugged ambitions mean it's not exactly a style icon even a 'camouflage' finish option isn't stealthy – but it does feel well made.



Active drivers 

•  two 0.75in tweeters
•  two 2.75in midbass
• forming the end caps of the chassis with 2 x 20W of onboard oomph.
• Wireless Bluetooth Streaming
• 15 hours of playtime
• IPX7 waterproof
• JBL Connect+
• Durable fabric and rugged material

It has a bass extension and sheer impact that dwarfs its roundup challengers. There's a force and scale to the X-Men attack sequence that's deeply  appealing, and the counter-firing driver arrangement ensures a wide and spacious image at the same time. The top-end of the Xtreme 2 lacks a little clarity, however, and this means dialogue can be trickier to follow and some fine detail is harder to place. But it does manage to avoid sounding harsh or aggressive.

The Bluetooth spec is v4.2 but there is no aptX provision. Battery life is quoted at up to 15 hours, and there's a USB socket for charging your 'phone. Multiples of the Xtreme 2 (and other JBL speakers) can be linked together via Connect+ technology.

Those with a significant space to fill will

appreciate this JBL.