Distortion at high volume

Reviewers note that the LS50 Wireless II retain composure when driven hard, staying clean and controlled without harshness or congestion even at very high listening levels close to their practical limits.

Reviewers note that the LS50 Meta stays impressively clean and controlled even when driven hard, with low audible distortion and no harshness until it is pushed past its natural dynamic limits.

Most listeners find the Flex 2 stays impressively clean through much of its volume range, with controlled bass and clear vocals, and some note that even compared with aging original units its low end distorts less and resists becoming obviously muddy, though at very high volumes the sound can still compress and the treble edge up.

Recent testing indicates that the StormBox Mini+ can be turned up to or near maximum volume with very little audible distortion, maintaining a surprisingly clean and listenable presentation for such a small portable speaker.

Most listeners say the SoundLink Max stays composed at high volumes with its processing limiting harshness, though some distortion can creep in on aggressively recorded tracks when you really push it, and at least one reviewer reports being able to raise the volume to new heights without hearing obvious distortion in everyday use.

Most of the time the Charge 6 plays loudly without obvious strain, but at very high volumes or with battery-saving modes engaged its strong bass and bright top end can introduce a bit of muddiness or harshness in the highs and mids on demanding songs; this review again found only occasional congestion at max volume, with JBL’s AI Boost processing helping to keep distortion brief and controlled.

Most of the volume range stays clean, but bass begins to compress and clip slightly at the very top end, so the Move 2 is happiest a notch below maximum loudness.

At typical listening levels the Wonderboom 4 remains clean and engaging, but multiple reviews report that above roughly three quarters volume the sound begins to lose detail and treble can turn grainy or harsh, with the presentation becoming strained as you approach full blast.

At higher volumes the Bounce’s bass can fuzz and smear and this review further reports that treble becomes harsh and the overall mix more compressed near maximum output, encouraging users to stop short of the very top of its volume range.