JBL charge 4 vs Sony xb41: Review and Comparison

Bluetooth speakers are the solution for the outdoor music party and they are easy to portable. You can go everywhere with Bluetooth speakers and enjoy your time with the music. But to enjoy the music, it is compulsory to have the best quality speakers. And today we are going to compare JBL charge 4 vs Sony xb41 find out which one is the best match for you.

Both speaker we choose today comes with various features like unique design, waterproof and dustproof, bass, sound quality, and other features. In this Sony srs xb41 vs JBL charge 4 articles, you can find out everything about both speakers.

The JBL Charge 4 is a model with an affordable price, compact Bluetooth speaker. Likewise, the audiophiles and the critics lauded Sony SRS-XB41 (2018) as a great portable Bluetooth Speaker.

Sony SRS-XB41 vs JBL Charge 4: Specifications

JBL Charge 4Sony SRS-XB41
Power Output30 W15 W
Drivers57.9 mm58 mm
Passive Radiators21
Frequency Response60 Hz to 20 kHz20 Hz to 20 kHz
ImpedanceNot Specified4 Ohms
Signal to Noise Ratio>80 dBNot Specified
Built-In MicNoYes
NFCNoYes
Bluetooth4.24.2
Supported Bluetooth ProfilesA2DP
AVRCP
HFP
HSP
A2DP
AVRCP
HFP
HSP
SPP
Wireless Range9.144 m30 m
Inputs1 x 1/8" / (3.5 mm) Stereo (Audio)1 x 1/8" (3.5 mm) Stereo (Audio)
1 x USB Type-C (Power)
Outputs1 x USB Type-C (Power)1 x USB Type-A (Power)
USB Power Output5 VDC at 2.3 ANot specified
Battery Capacity (mAh)7500 mAhNot specified
Expected Battery Life20 Hours24 Hours
IP RatingIPX7IP67
Dimensions (W x H x D)8.66 x 3.74 x 3.66" / 220 x 95 x 93 mm11.46 x 4.09 x 4.13" / 291 x 104 x 105 mm
Weight2.1 lb / 955 g3.3 lb / 1500 g

Sony SRS-XB41

Sony is dedicated not only to delivering goods but also services and content that provide interesting business experience. With the XB41 portable speaker, you can now get the ultimate three-dimensional music festival experience anywhere you go.

Now your extra bass is available and the party can be enriched by LIVE SOUND, Party Booster, and flashing beat lights. The XB41 is made to dance, boasting a new IP67 waterproof build and up to 24-hour battery life.

Features

  • LIVE Sound
  • EXTRA BASS™
  • NFC
  • Bluetooth version 4.2
  • Max. Communication Range 30m
  • Battery life Approx.24 hours (Standard mode)
  • IP Rating IP67
  • Flashing Beat Lights
  • Fiestable
  • Music Center

Pros:

  • Lots of basses.
  • Durable and waterproof.
  • 24-hour battery life.
  • DJ and Party features plus fun lighting options.
  • Good Bluetooth range.
  • USB port for smartphone charging.

Cons:

  • Lacks volume.
  • Sound quality is average at best.
  • The app needs improvement.
  • Overpowering Bass

JBL Charge 4

JBL has already had one of the most reliable reputations for the best portable Bluetooth speakers and headphones. In the summer of 2019, the JBL Charge4 was first launched, and the JBL audio industry was quickly got famous all over the world.

The high-capacity 7500mAh License Battery offers up to 20 hours of playtime, and can conveniently charge your electronics, including your smartphone, with the ease of a built-in power bank, so that you can never again run out of power. Charge 4 has a sturdy architecture, IPX7 waterproof technology, and a nice suite of colors.

Features

  • 7500mAh power bank
  • Bluetooth version 4.2
  • Max. Communication Range 10m
  • JBL bass radiator
  • Wirelessly connect to up to 2 devices
  • IP rating IPX7
  • JBL Connect+
  • Battery supports up to 20 hours of playtime

Pros:

  • Powerful audio performance with rich bass
  • Gets quite loud for its size
  • Waterproof
  • Long battery life
  • Can charge your portable devices
  • USB-C charging

Cons:

  • No speakerphone function
  • Basically the same sound as the Charge 3.
  • The buttons that are not lit are hard to see in the dark

How I differentiated both of the speakers

Design: JBL charge 4 vs Sony xb41

Design wise, both of the speakers can be a perfect epitome of Bluetooth speaker with their amazing build quality and portability.

Sony SRS-XB41

One of the first things you can see about the design is that the XB41 is covered in a fabric similar to that of common wash-resistant speakers which prevents dust from accumulating. For a portable Bluetooth speaker, the XB41 is very bulky and heavy. The standard of the design is of the highest quality and the SRS-XB41 has a reasonable price. There are no keys at the front.

There is an LED strip going up and down, wrapping the edges. Dual 58mm drivers are under the cloth. The tiny lights draw into the music illuminate them together. To either side of the driver, there are still two smaller lights blinking easily.

The power switch, Bluetooth pairing, and replay and volume controls are located on the top of the device. There is also a “Live mode” button, which enhances the sound stage artificially.

A rubber flap that covers all inputs and hides some buttons is around the back of the speaker, the first being to check the battery status and start the lights. The other is to connect a separate SRS-XB41 for stereo listening and the second is ‘WPC’ with its name.

JBL Charge 4

Charge 4 does not seem at first glance to be different from the previous Charge 3. But if you look a little closer, you start to note different details, or should I say small size discrepancies. As the uncovered woofer, the cylindrical structure is also incredible when the bass strikes.

Charge 4 has a driver of 1.9 by 3.5 inches and mono audio. The passive lateral radiators help to make the impression of bass depth more intense.

Throughout the top, there’s a control panel housing buttons for Power, Pairing, and Volume Up/Down, as well as a Play/Pause button that when pressed twice, skips forward a track. Strangely, there isn’t a backward track navigation option.

The JBL Connect+ button is also available to connect to a range of other compatible JBL wireless speakers — more than 100 separate speakers will chain together to play the same music. The battery level is indicated by a convenient white LED indicator on the front.

The JBL Charge 4 is a directional speaker with a JBL logo echo from the side. The 360-degree sound is maybe disappointing, but the speaker gets so loud, that anyone can hear the music in a room. Since the speaker is directional, it can be positioned horizontally on the foot or vertically on either side of the speaker. This can be purchased in up to 12 colors.

Winner: TIE

Waterproof and Dustproof: JBL charge 4 vs Sony SRS xb41

Since Bluetooth speakers can be conveniently placed in several areas, even by the shore or a swimming pool, most of them being water-resistant. There is no match between water and electronics, so a waterproof speaker is really useful. Few speakers are waterproof, and most of them are waterproof. It is incredibly beneficial to use waterproof speakers on the pool or beach.

Because IP67 is better than IPX7 because it is fully dustproof and waterproof, the Sony XB-41 comes out on top..

Sony SRS-XB41

The Sony XB41 speaker is known as IP67 for resistance to dust and water, the inputs are covered by a rubber-stick on the rear. But you may have some trouble keeping it clean because of the cloth covering. This is though a small price to pay so that a speaker like this can truly be immersed by the consumer.

JBL Charge 4

The IPX7 rating of the Charge 4 speaker means that it is totally waterproof and offers an unspecified amount of dust intake protection. Currently, Charge 4 can be submerged for around 30 minutes up to 1 meter, making it a wonderful companion for the poolside or merely an excellent rainproof speaker.

Winner: Sony SRS-XB41

Exceptional Features: JBL charge 4 vs Sony xb41

The Sony XB41 contains a few unique features that aren’t seen in Charge 4..

JBL Charge 4

The Charge 4 is built to be durable, IPX7 has a waterproof, cool color suite. It allows over 100 JBL Connect+ speakers to wirelessly connect to improve the listening experience with JBL Connect+. You can charge your things, such as your smartphone, conveniently by the speaker, so you can never be out of control again.

Sony SRS-XB41

You can use two Sony applications called “Fiestable” and the “Music Center” to monitor the color of the lights and some other cool things. There are some cool effects that you can do like adding DJ effects and drum kit sounds, but the app is so finicky and unreliable that it’s really not worth it.

The SRS-XB41, although the people didn’t really like it, was carefully built to give you a true 3D experience in LIVE SOUND mode. You can also improve any beat and raise your party with EXTRA BASS.

Winner: Sony SRS-XB41

Speakerphone capability: JBL charge 4 vs Sony xb41

You may presume that any Bluetooth speaker could be used as a cell phone. After all the primary function of a phone is to make phone calls, and the key purpose of a Bluetooth speaker is to enhance the sound from your phone.

But the vast majority of the speakers in Bluetooth have not integrated microphones for any purpose. And they cannot be used as portable speakerphones without microphones.

Charge 4 does not include a built-in speakerphone with a play/pause button, like does the SRS-XB41.

JBL Charge 4

Charge 4 does not have a speaker feature so that your mobile system needs to have all calls. It is common for larger Bluetooth speakers not to have speakerphone capabilities, but the Charge 4 is more of intermediate size and thus it seems like a disappointment.

Sony SRS-XB41

SRS-XB41 on the other hand has a great speaker capability. With the normal precautions, Bluetooth speakers carry a hollow sound and a faint echo at the end of the recipient though the quality is average of the call quality.

Winner: Sony SRS-XB41

Battery Life: JBL charge 4 vs Sony xb41

XB41 undoubtedly has the best battery life than Charge 4

Sony SRS-XB41

Sony promises a 24-hour battery life with lights off but this speaker lasted much longer on average. However when it expires, the complete recharge takes about five hours however, because of its scale, it is expected.

JBL Charge 4

JBL predicts the battery life of Charge 4 to be around 20 hours, although your volume and wireless consumption combination can differ according to the result. In fact, the battery size, from 6000mAh to 7500mAh, is considerably increased. This means that without losing too much long-life, you can use it with greater frequency.

Winner: Sony SRS-XB41

Connectivity: Sony xb41 vs JBL Charge 4

The XB41 features better connectivity options and bluetooth range than the Charge 4.

Sony SRS-XB41

You’re going to have the DC input for charging the speaker, the micro-USB input behind the flap in the back of the XB41, which can also be loaded in this manner, but it takes 3.5 mm to load the input, the USB output, and three key keys.

One of them says how much battery stays in the speaker and even disables the light strip if you keep it back. Another “WPC” mark allows more than one speaker to be chained together by Bluetooth, and the third allows you to transform a pair of speakers into L and R channels.

Bluetooth 4.2 is rocking, AAC, LDAC, and NFC compatible with a compatible system for fast pairing. Tap your phone into the NFC logo and you will get a message for a connection. As far as range goes, I do not have any problems beyond 50 feet of dropouts or stuttering.

It is advisable to charge the speaker with a micro-USB port and with a DC input, but this latter is much faster. There’s also a 3.5mm connector and a USB port to charge your smartphone with the speaker.

It should be very quick to attach to the speaker. Only click the Bluetooth button next to the power key to enter pairing mode when you activate all the things you have to do. To connect to your Bluetooth, simply find the device in your settings.

JBL Charge 4

The JBL Charge 4 is not very different from the previous one if you can’t say yet. It’s an iteration, but networking is the position where things tend to divide. Charge 4 has all of your bases up to 30 ft as many Bluetooth speakers, with a good link.

The replay controls work fantastically and the buttons are cool, even if I want white plastic buttons or lit all like the power buttons, as it’s hard to see which one is which when it’s dark.

Instead of the older 4.1, JBL Charge 4 has a decent Bluetooth 4.2 but the exact variations have to do with JBL Connect. JBL Connect is the way you can synchronize a few speakers and play the same music together. The older JBL Connect+ version lets you connect up to 100 JBL speakers instead of one or two. The JBL Connect+ version is the stronger one.

Winner: Sony SRS-XB41

Frequency Range: Sony xb41 vs JBL Charge 4

The audible range of sounds that the human ear can hear range from around 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. If a portable speaker cannot relay the full spectrum of the audible spectrum, we can skip sounds. The further frequencies the Bluetooth speaker occupies, the more distinctly the sound we hear.

Charge 4 cannot achieve the deepest bass because of the 60Hz to 20 kHz frequency response. It can be 60Hz low and thus you can miss a fuller and more detailed bass that is not seen elsewhere. However, the Sony SRS XB-41, which is between 20Hz and 20 kHz, can be as low as a speaker might.

Winner: Sony SRS-XB41

Sound Performance: Sony xb41 vs JBL Charge 4

It is definitely one of the most critical parameters. At the end of the day that is because we want to hear music louder than normal on our phones. That is because we want to buy a loudspeaker.

At maximum volume, the charge 4 sounds more clear and sharp, but it isn’t quite as loud, and the higher frequencies appear to be slightly ducked when the bass kicks in. The sony’s sound isn’t poor by any means, but it’s muddier across the volume range than the jbl’s without the EXTRA BASS mode.

In comparison to the Charge 4, the Sony XB41 enables stereo output and offers superior bass. JBL Charge 4 features a mono output, which means there are no left and right channels. Charge 4 has a better sound performance overall, but it isn’t as loud as xb41.

In comparison to the Sony out of the box, the Charge 4 sounds exceptionally clean and vibrant.

Sony SRS-XB41

The SRS-XB41 is decent, sound-wise, but you can’t talk about it much. The bass is tight and punchy and doesn’t totally hide the sound mix, but it is also unreasonable to critical audiences. This speaker highlights the low-end that helps to mask vocals a bit more.

The sound stage is wide and open (off with Live Mode), and even huge gaps are packed with sound by the full volume. The mids are suppressed and there is a negligible rate of clarity you get.

The highs appear to be screechy and sibilant in high volumes, but they are not as marginalized as the mids. Most of the highs are all right, but somewhat under stressed. At high volumes, this means that you would not be concerned about harsh sounds, but it only produced cymbals in normal listening volumes.

The SRS-XB41, which is now available in several Android Smartphones with 8.0 Oreo, supports the high-quality LDAC codec. You will then download music at the fastest bit rate possible at the moment. This helps to make clear and increases the intermediate.

JBL Charge 4

On the other hand, I expect JBL Charge 4 to boost its sound quality on Charge 3, but it appears to be incredibly close. JBL went over double drivers with a single driver, but I don’t believe that many people who buy this speaker would care, in addition to some minor complaints.

The latest JBL Charge 4, like the previous model, has a powerful low end due to its scale, which is obviously enabled by these passive radiators.

In wider spaces and open fields, this model sounds smoother — mostly because bass seems to lose strength faster than higher-pitched sounds over time. The sound can drop a little bass tension and sound a bit more fun for you, whether you use Charge 4 in a barn, yard, or garage.

Bass notes are always distinct and easy to understand, but in the middle of the model, the speaker suffers from the same lack of precision. Vocals were still distinguishable but they appeared to take the back seat to some of the song’s instrumentation.

You wouldn’t have to worry if you are a high-end lover, because it sounds rough or because I haven’t heard any distortion in high volumes. The highs have been sculpted and moved to complement and align lower ones, which ensures that there is no perfect speaker for purists between sculpting, boosting, and single delivery.

The emphasis is still on the higher bass, cord, and vocals of the crisp brightly delivered album. The bass depth introduced does not cater to purists, but it beautifully anchors the mix and does not overwhelm the elements of the higher-register.

Winner: JBL Charge 4

Price: Sony xb41 vs JBL Charge 4

The first JBL charge 4 costs roughly $180, but now it is possible for you to buy for $119.95 and save 33%. The price is not cheap but all in all, it is commensurate with the quality of the device with decent sound quality, reliable product. However, it’s much cheaper than Charge 4 for XB41. You can order it from Amazon for nearly $269.95 cheaper than other Bluetooth speakers.

Winner: JBL Charge 4

Product Differentiator

The Sony SRS-XB41 is designed for a certain type of music listener: one who isn’t concerned with how balanced anything sounds or has ever compared the sound of two speakers side by side. The UE Megaboom 3 has greatermore balanced sound quality and isn’t as muddled as the Sony. With a lower price tag, it can become almost as loud.

The JBL Charge 4 is a no-brainer when it comes to value. Yes, there are better-sounding speakers available, but they will set you back a lot more money. The UE Megaboom 3 is one of our favorite speakers, but it sounds worse and costs more.
If you want 360-degree sound and a light show, the JBL Pulse 3 is a nice option to the Charge 4, but you’ll have to forego battery life (up to 12 hours) and a minor drop in audio quality.

Alternative Options

UE Megaboom 3

Pros

  • NFC enabled.
  • Available in various attractive colors.
  • Punchy bass.
  • All-rounded sound
  • 20 hours of battery life
  • Water and dust resistance
  • Highly functional app
  • Customizable EQ
  • 360-degree audio quality

Cons

  • No wireless charger
  • More expensive
  • Unable to stand vertically while it’s charging.
  • Lack of speakerphone functionality

JBL Xtreme

Pros

  • At max volume, battery lasts 6 hours
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Deep bass
  • Dsp minimizes distortion
  • Highly portable
  • splashproof

Cons

  • Some units may have problem in battery

Conclusion: Sony xb41 vs JBL Charge 4

Both the SRS-XB41 and Charge 4 are a perfect option for partiers and for all who enjoy extravagance and abundance. Undoubtedly, however, I have to go to JBL Charge 4.

Autor’s Pick: JBL Charge 4

You must certainly get the Charge 4. After all, in the older and less pricey Charge 3, you could get many of the same things. The JBL Connect+ functionality and USB-C charging are the only major variants that would matter to most individuals.

The speaker sounds colder and smoother than the XB-41 speaker. The Sony SRS-XB41 also sounds outstanding, especially at high volumes. And it’s really getting loud. With quick pairing and volume buttons on the top of the speaker, it’s super convenient for everyone to use.

Even the JBL Charge 4 is a sure no-brainer for the money. You get a speaker that lasts all day, sounds fantastic for about $150, will put up with all sorts of violence, and tops up your phone in a pinch. You’ll enjoy 20 hours of JBL’s loudest ever Signature Sound with the Charge 4.

After all, you have to make the decision and if you read JBL charge 4 vs Sony xb41 properly then I hope you already know which one matches your needs. So, why waste time grabs your suitable speaker and enjoys the music. Find out more about these speakers in this JBL and Sony Bluetooth speakers.

FAQs: Sony xb41 vs JBL Charge 4

Your choice should have been cleared by now. If you still have any question, check out these.

Does JBL Charge 4 have an equalizer on it?

No, Charge 4 doesn’t have any equalizer. However, by having an Equalizer app on your phone and reducing the bass, you can monitor the bass emanating from certain speakers.

What are the JBL Charge 4 buttons?

The Charge 4 has the playback buttons at the top with the battery and the Bluetooth pairing buttons lit up.

What you should do with “Fiestable”

“Fiestable” is an app for running Sony audio devices from smartphones, iPhones, etc. compliant with “Fiestable”

Operations which can be done on a speaker with “Fiestable”

  • DJ control
  • DJ sound effects can be added.
  • Illumination
  • Setting the lighting function.
  • Motion control
  • Operating the speaker by shaking the smartphone, iPhone, etc.

What you can control with “Fiestable” depends based on the system you are attached to. The specification and configuration of the app can be updated without warning.

How am I going to reset my Sony SRS xb41?

If the speaker cannot be switched on or cannot be controlled after being turned on, open the cap on the back and hit the RESET button with a pin or other pointing object. The speaker is reset and the speaker is switched off. Switch the speaker on after clicking the RESET button.

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