The JBL Xtreme 2 has been on the market for a little over a month now.
And even though I do like the Xtreme 2 overall, a lot of people have complained that it doesn't
get loud enough.
But now JBL has released a new firmware update that does considerably improve the Xtreme
2’s performance.
If you’ve been on the fence about getting the Xtreme 2 or if you already have one, lets
see what these changes are all about.
Just so we’re clear, this isn’t a full review on the JBL Xtreme 2…
I'm just addressing the new firmware update.
If you want to learn more about the Xtreme 2 then watch its full review.
But if you want to pick the JBL Xtreme 2 up I’ll have links in the description below
and if you use the links it really helps out the channel.
And also check out the new Merch Shelf below.
I actually didn’t hear about the new firmware update for the Xtreme 2 until I actually saw
comments mentioning it in other videos.
Unlike the Pulse 3… theres really no need to even open up the JBL Connect app with the
Xtreme 2.
But when you do open up the app you’ll see a little notification and you can start downloading
the firmware update right over the air.
The only thing you really need to do is just have the Xtreme 2 plugged in and wait for
about 10 minutes or….
Now we’re quickly going to jump into the sound test which is going to be featuring
the original JBL Xtreme, the Xtreme 2 before the update and the Xtreme 2 after
the update.
Like I said in the initial review, the Xtreme 2 has a neutral sound signature that over
all sounds better than the Original Xtreme.
And after the firmware update, the Xtreme 2 still has that same sound signature.
But, I have noticed there is considerably more bass over all.
Theres more bass at lower volumes and more bass at higher volumes.
But the biggest change this new firmware update brings is how loud the Xtreme 2 actually gets
now.
These next clips have each of the speakers playing the same section of a song at max
volume.
On battery power alone you can clearly see the Original Xtreme struggles to get over
the 100 DB mark.
But it has an easier time when its actually plugged in.
Where as the Xtreme 2 has no problem staying over the 100 DB mark after the new firmware
update.
On Battery power alone, the Xtreme 2 is now clearly louder than the Original Xtreme even
when its plugged in.
And for comparison, before the firmware up the Xtreme 2 performed pretty similarly to
the original Xtreme.
It only occasionally managed to break through that 100 DB mark.
But even at these higher volumes the Xtreme 2 still manages to keep distortion to a minimum.
When the original Xtreme is playing at max volume it does start to sound bright and its
bass does start to sound muddy.
Where as the bass on the Xtreme 2 is cleaner and resonates much smoother.
But even though this Firmware update is great and all, there is some give and take regarding
battery life.
At 80% volume the Xtreme 2 is now averaging 9 hours of playback time where as before it
was getting 10 hours.
But all things considered, I don’t think its not that bad given that you’re getting
more bass and higher volume out of the Xtreme 2.
Even after this new firmware update the Xtreme 2 is still going to have no problem keeping
up with you if you plan on taking it on the go.
But everything I said in the initial review still stands…
I like the JBL Xtreme 2, its a good speaker.
It sounds good, its durable, and it has a good battery life.
The Xtreme 2 got more than loud enough for me even before the firmware update.
But with this new update I can not deny that im really enjoying the added bass.
If you already have the Xtreme 2 then I highly recommend you go and down load that new firmware
update.
And if you’ve been on the fence about getting the Xtreme 2, then the Xtreme 2 just got a
little better.