(I didn't get anything for free/discount/gift/etc for this review, this is all me)I was looking for a waterproof/submersible rated (so ip7/ip67) bluetooth speaker (or linkable two) to take on an upcoming river float trip. I don't -plan- on dunking it, but wanted something that would survive a brief swim if the tube overturned/etc. So I purchased two of these (refurb) JBL Charge 5s rated at 40w.I already have two w-king x10's (rated as 70w) and -absolutely- love love love them. The bass response is absolutely the best out of anything I've heard/tested at that power rating/size. I haven't heard any other JBL bluetooth speakers (like a boombox 2/3), so I don't know where the x10's would land in the JBL lineup. However since the x10's are only ip6 rated they can only get wet/be splashed, and cannot be submersed (or at least aren't rated for it, and I don't want to test that!).On -only- the price I paid for each vs sound loudness/quality, I would have to say the x10s are -drastically- better. The x10's have a button for 2 eq options, and there's no change to eq/loudness/quality when you pair two together. But again, those aren't submersible.That said, out of the other 2-3 sets of "cheap" bluetooth ip7 speakers I ordered and returned, these Charge 5s are probably the best out of those. At the same time, those other "cheap" ones were 1/2 the price of a single JBL Charge 5.Pros:-when used individually, I feel there is no degradation of overall sound quality or distortion up to max volume. It does seem that the bass "tops out" at around 1/2 volume, and any increase in volume after that point only increases mids and highs.-I really like how you have the option to customize the EQ for the speaker via the app on a smart phone versus only having static presets. It's only adjustments for low, mid, and high, so it's not like the EQ options you have with say Spotify (on an Android at least, it's a 7 band EQ), but it's better than only 2 preset EQ settings like on the x10.-with the party boost (pairing of multiple JBL speakers) you can individually control the volume of each speaker connected, so if someone wants it quieter near them they can have that, while it's still blasting on the other speaker. With the X10 the volume (and EQ setting) are linked, so both will always be at the same volume.-rated to be completely submersible in up to 3m of water for 30min. So they can not only get splashed, but can be dunked and survive. I haven't tested this yet, but will be if I end up keeping these.Cons:-No EQ settings from the on-board speaker controls. Probably not a big deal to most, but if you're say on river with your phone in a waterproof bag in a cooler, it's not the easiest to make on the fly adjustments.-"by design" the partyboost disables any EQ settings you have on the device, and in my opinion degrades/flattens the overall sound quality. It's really horrible to me. The single speaker goes from sounding pretty decent, to sounding like a tin can on both speakers. I'm extremely disappointed with this. I can recover some quality by using the EQ built into the Spotify app, it's just a pain and you lose some loudness/volume when you boost the bass/treble. Since you can control the volume of each speaker independently, I don't see why JBL doesn't let you use the EQ function independently, but I digress.-doesn't come with a strap/carrier (at least the refurbished version), and there's no loops/attachment points on the speaker anywhere. I ended up purchasing a silicone case and strap combo so I can attach it/strap it down to a cooler on the float trip.-not as loud as I was expecting for a "40w" speaker. My Tribit MaxSoundPlus 24w speaker sounds almost as loud as one of these. Maybe my expectations are skewed? I'll try to remember to use my dB meter on all of these after my river trip and report back with those findings.So I'm at a crossroads where I'm not sure if I'll keep these two JBLs, or return and try a Boombox 2/3, since I'd have just about enough Amazon credit from returning these to get one. Or just get another Tribit as it's IP7, but I seem to recall dropping my Tribit and it having a crack.....then again I could get two Tribit's for the price of one of these [refurb] JBL's....