JBL Boombox 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Short answer: the JBL Boombox 2 for better sound quality, the Skullcandy Barrel for the lower price. The JBL Boombox 2 ranks #29 of 73 boombox speakers at $350. The Skullcandy Barrel ranks #39 at $150, $200 cheaper.

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.

On the Skullcandy Barrel side: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. Set against that: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers.

Buy the JBL Boombox 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Skullcandy Barrel if the price matters more than sound quality.

Buy the JBL Boombox 2 at Amazon ($350) →Buy the Skullcandy Barrel at Amazon ($150) →

JBL Boombox 2 vs Skullcandy Barrel

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Boombox 2 Skullcandy Barrel
Price$350 Discontinued$150
Ranked#29 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#39 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputYes-
Aux Latency33ms-
Bass Extension (-10dB)46Hz~50Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)-
IP RatingIPX7IP67
Bluetooth Latency140ms-
Max Volume108dB104dB
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)No
Power BankYes (USB-A)No
Power InputAC Power brick-
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
Weight13 lbs / 5.9 kg11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC
AppNoYes (Skullcandy app)
EQNoYes (App EQ)
TWSYesYes
USB PlaybackNoNo
Built in MicrophoneNoNo
FM TunerNoNo
Microphone InputNo-
MicroSD PlaybackNo-
Output Power160W60W
Dimensions19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm)11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm)
Drivers2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators2x 20mm drivers
DiscontinuedYes-
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Buy the JBL Boombox 2 at Amazon ($350) →Buy the Skullcandy Barrel at Amazon ($150) →

More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:

The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Boombox 2: $350 Discontinued Amazon

JBL Boombox 2 ranking card

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 →

AppNo
Aux InputYes
Aux Latency33ms
Bass Extension (-10dB)46Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Latency140ms
Built in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm)
DiscontinuedYes
Drivers2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators
EQNo
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIPX7
Max Volume108dB
MicroSD PlaybackNo
Microphone InputNo
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power160W
Party ModeYes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers)
Power BankYes (USB-A)
Power InputAC Power brick
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight13 lbs / 5.9 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($350) →Search eBay for JBL Boombox 2 →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Skullcandy Barrel: $150 Amazon

Skullcandy Barrel ranking card

Pros: Water-resistant (IPX5) with LED lightshow synced to music. 12 hour battery life. Bass Boost mode. Multi-Link feature connects up to 99 speakers. Doubles as phone charger.

Cons: Not as deep bass as the top ranked speakers. Not as loud as the top ranked speakers. Rolled off treble.

Full Skullcandy Barrel review and specifications →

AppYes (Skullcandy app)
Bass Extension (-10dB)~50Hz
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Built in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions11.8" x 22.1" x 9.6" (300 x 560.1 x 243.8 mm)
Drivers2x 20mm drivers
EQYes (App EQ)
FM TunerNo
IP RatingIP67
Max Volume104dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Output Power60W
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
StereoYes
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg
Check current price at Amazon ($150) →Search eBay for Skullcandy Barrel →

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.