Short answer: the JBL Boombox 2. It ranks #29 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $350; the Demerbox DB2 ranks #49 and costs $400, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Boombox 2 offers: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. Watch for: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
What the Demerbox DB2 offers: 40+ hour battery life even at higher volumes (real-world: ~14 hrs with phone charging mixed in). Watch for: Bass is not as deep as better speakers.
Buy the JBL Boombox 2. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Demerbox DB2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the Demerbox DB2 is rated for 40 hours versus 24 hours for the JBL Boombox 2.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 2 | Demerbox DB2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 Discontinued | $400 |
| Ranked | #29 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms | - |
| Max Volume | 108dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg | 5.4 lbs / 2.47 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Output Power | 160W | 22W RMS |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) | 10.6" x 9.7" x 6.9" (270 x 246 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 2x 3" (76mm) aluminum cone full-range drivers |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Boombox 4 vs W-King X20
- JBL Authentics 300 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- JBL Authentics 300 vs JBL Boombox 3
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Demerbox DB2
- JBL Boombox 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 2: $350 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. IPX7 rated. Doubles as a power bank. Bluetooth 5.1 with PartyBoost (up to 100 speakers). Reaches 101dB.
Cons: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox 2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 140ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 108dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Output Power | 160W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Demerbox DB2: $400 Amazon
Pros: 40+ hour battery life even at higher volumes (real-world: ~14 hrs with phone charging mixed in). Built from a Pelican case - nearly indestructible and waterproof (IP67). Multi-pair up to 6 units. Doubles as power bank and waterproof container.
Cons: Bass is not as deep as better speakers. Very overpriced.
Full Demerbox DB2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6" x 9.7" x 6.9" (270 x 246 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3" (76mm) aluminum cone full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Output Power | 22W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.4 lbs / 2.47 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons