Short answer: the ION Pathfinder 320, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #100 of 113 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 2.2/5, at $129.99; the Pioneer PBM5 ranks #112, rated 2.0/5, and costs $149, so there is little reason to consider the other one. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 113 boombox speakers; for better sound, the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 ranks #15 at $184.99.
The ION Pathfinder 320 is the longer-running pick. A wheeled party speaker with an enormous battery, splash resistance, FM radio and ports for charging phones. It is rated for 100 hours of battery against 13 for the Pioneer PBM5. The catch: Bass is not as deep as competitors.
The Pioneer PBM5 is the lighter choice. A loud karaoke boombox with two mic inputs, a guitar input, lights, a shoulder strap and a choice of USB-C or AC power. At 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) it weighs much less than the ION Pathfinder 320 at 22.7 lbs (10.3 kg). It has a microphone input for karaoke or announcements, which the ION Pathfinder 320 lacks. It links with other speakers (Auracast), which the ION Pathfinder 320 cannot. The tradeoff: Williston Audio Labs was not impressed with its sound: there is very little bass below 100Hz, and the amplifier’s output has a big dip from 1.6kHz to 10kHz that leaves the upper mids and treble recessed.
Buy the ION Pathfinder 320. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Pioneer PBM5 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| ION Pathfinder 320 | Pioneer PBM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $149.00 |
| Ranked | #100 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #112 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 100 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours at 60% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| FM Tuner | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IPX5 |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Stereo | No | - |
| Omnidirectional | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes (MP3 only) |
| Weight | 22.7 lbs (10.3 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (High/Low frequency) | Yes (presets + user EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Auracast) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C or AC Power cord |
| Microphone Input | No | Yes (2 inputs) |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 300W peak (Manufacturer specified), about 90W measured |
| Dimensions | 15.1” x 10.4” x 19.4” (383.5 x 264.2 x 492.8 mm) | 8.9”H x 17.4”W x 8.1”D (226 x 442 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 4” (102mm) drivers | 2x 133mm (5.25”) woofers + 2x 51mm (2”) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Wheels | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | - | 105dB at 2m (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| Strap | - | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- ION Pathfinder 320: reviews by King Vegeta.
- Pioneer PBM5: reviews by Williston Audio Labs and AnotherReview ByFrank.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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