I tested a Bluetooth speaker aimed at rivaling JBL’s Xtreme range, but it ended up failing – here’s why

Examination of the M4 majority movement

The Majority Move M4 is a huge Bluetooth speaker boasting a powerful 70W output power, a sturdy design and plenty of battery life, making it very close to JBL’s Xtreme range.

Yes, it’s clear that the Cambridge-based audio brand is coming to JBL with its Move speakers – and this model I tested is the most powerful in its range. But can Majority compete with JBL with this version? Here’s what I think after many hours of listening with the Majority Move M4.

At first glance, the Majority Move M4 has many of the features you’d expect from the best Bluetooth speakers. It features Bluetooth 6.0 for long-range connectivity, IP67 dust-proofing and waterproofing so it can survive a good bit of submersion underwater, and high power output for streaming music at parties or gatherings.

But this model struggles to keep up with the competition in several respects. And above all, this is especially evident in its sound quality.

I started to evaluate the audio quality of the M4 by listening to the KOLTER files What a day. This house tune just didn’t sound like I had hoped — I was immediately struck by the compressed audio, with tiny percussion that sounded scratchy even at medium volume levels. The bass also lacked the authority and punch I was looking for, and the bass sounded distorted at higher listening levels.

It was a similar story with I will be your by RUZE. The bass lacked punch, which meant the drops were anti-climactic. The mids also didn’t seem very well separated or rich, and the track simply lacked that full-bodied, energetic quality needed to reproduce its excitement and dynamism.

Even with a more refined piece like 78 rotations by Jards Macalé, I was not a big fan of M4. It definitely handled the less demanding nature of the track more effectively, with relatively clean vocals and decent enough balance across the frequency range. However, the tone of the acoustic guitars wasn’t the most precise or expressive, and the finer details didn’t jump out at me.

Although the M4 can get relatively loud, thanks in part to its 70W power output, it often sounds more shouty than regulated and punchy. The bass doesn’t have the punch and punch you might expect. And with compressed highs that can err on the harsh side, this speaker struggles to compete sonically.

I experienced disappointing audio when streaming via Bluetooth, but also when using a wired connection via a 3.5mm cable. However, you can also use the speaker with a USB drive or microSD card if you prefer. These two listening methods are certainly on the niche side, but hey, they are there.

There are a few more cool features on board, including customizable RGB lights. You can press the speaker light button and customize the color and pattern to your liking, and while I prefer the JBL Xtreme 5’s more classic lights, it looks good. You can also turn off the lights if you prefer, which saves battery power.

Speaking of battery life, you get a pretty commendable 30 hours here, which is better than budget competitors like the Tribit Stormbox Lava. Other features include a built-in mic for hands-free calling and multiple speaker pairing… although I’m not sure why anyone would want two.

The fatal flaw in the features department is the M4’s lack of a companion app. This means there are no EQ options – a big failure – and no way to remotely change lighting or other useful settings. This is a basic inclusion for many Bluetooth speakers at this point, and it was disappointing to see.

Before I wrap up, I want to talk about design. This thing is definitely reminiscent of the JBL Xtreme 4, with pseudo-cylindrical construction, fabric exterior, and rubber buttons. However, this seems like a much less attractive alternative. I wasn’t a fan of the flimsy handle, the blue and gray color scheme, or the cheap heaters on either side. This sort of thing is of course subjective, but the look of the M4 didn’t convince me at all.

That said, the speaker seems quite durable and its IP67 rating means it’s well protected against dust ingress and can be submerged under a meter of water for 30 minutes – a very solid level of protection.

OK, the Majority Move M4 is not the most expensive model on the market. It costs £119.95 (around $160 / AU$225). However, competitors such as the Tribit Stormbox Lava are available at a lower price – and while this model is a little heavy on the low end, it certainly sounds better than this majority speaker. The JBL

Would I recommend the Majority Move M4? The answer is no, unfortunately. Despite its relatively sturdy construction and commendable lifespan, it delivers poor, unrefined sound, lacking bass energy and treble control. There’s a generally compressed quality here, meaning your favorite songs just don’t sound like they could. Instead, I’d recommend getting an Xtreme 4 on sale if that’s the type of speaker size you’re looking for (and the budget you’ve set aside for it).

Majority Move M4 review: price and release date

• Priced at £119.95 (around $160 / AU$225)
• Released in January 2026

The Majority Move M4 was released in January 2026 in the UK, although at the time of writing the speaker – alongside its sister models including the Move M1, M2 and M3 – has yet to land in the US or Australia. The Move M4 is priced at £119.95 (around $160 / AU$225), making it much cheaper than competitors like the JBL Xtreme range, and although it’s the largest in its range, it’s still quite budget-friendly.

Majority Move M4 review: Specs

Should I buy the Majority Move M4?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Majority Move M4 test: also to consider

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Header Cell – Column 0	M4 majority movement	JBL Xtreme 4	Lava Stormbox Tribit
Price	£119.95 (around $160 / AU$225)	$379.95 / £329.99 / AU$499.95	$129.99 / £111 (around AU$200)
Weight	5.3 pounds / 2.4 kg	4.6 pounds / 2.1 kg	5.1 pounds / 2.3 kg
Dimensions	12.2 x 4.9 x 4.7 inches / 310 x 125 x 120 mm	11.7 x 5.9 x 5.6 inches / 297 x 149 x 141 mm	12.2 x 5.8 x 6 inches / 310 x 147 x 152 mm
Connectivity	Bluetooth 6.0, 3.5mm, USB, microSD	Bluetooth5.3	Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm
Battery life	30 hours	24 hours	24 hours
Speaker Drivers	Undeclared	2 x 30 W woofers, 2 x 20 W tweeters	2x 30W woofers, 2x 10W tweeters
Waterproofing	IP67	IP67	IP67

How I tested the Majority Move M4

• Tested over a period of one week
• Tracks primarily released via Tidal
• Compared to similarly sized competitors

I spent hours testing the Majority Move M4 over the course of a week and tested it in our dedicated music testing area at Future Labs.

For the most part, I streamed songs using Tidal, but I also checked Spotify from time to time. To get started, I browsed tracks from our TechRadar reference playlist, which features songs from a wide range of genres, but I also made sure to listen to a ton of tracks from my personal library.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, including a large number of portable speakers. I’ve even curated our guide to the best Bluetooth speakers. I compared the M4 to competitors like the JBL Xtreme 4 and the Tribit Stormbox Lava, which I personally tested, so I knew exactly how Majority’s speaker stacked up against the competition.

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• First revision: June 2026

Harry is a senior opinion editor for TechRadar. He reviews everything from party speakers to wall chargers, and has a particular interest in the worlds of audio and gaming. Harry has a background in business technology journalism, particularly in the telecommunications sector.

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