Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3. It ranks #21 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $349.95; the B&O Beolit 20 ranks #31 and costs $649.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the JBL Boombox 3 gets right: IP67 rated. The catch: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
What the B&O Beolit 20 offers: Wireless phone charging. Watch for: Warm sound.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3. It ranks higher for sound quality than the B&O Beolit 20 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If battery life is a priority, the JBL Boombox 3 is rated for 24 hours versus 8 hours for the B&O Beolit 20.
If water resistance matters to you, the JBL Boombox 3 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the B&O Beolit 20 at IPX4 (splashing).
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 3 | B&O Beolit 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $649.99 |
| Ranked | #21 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 93dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg | 6 lbs / 2.7 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-C) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Output Power | 180W AC / 136W battery | 240W peak |
| Dimensions | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) | 5.3" x 9.1" x 7.4" (135 x 230 x 189 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 4
- Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs B&O Beolit 20
- JBL Boombox 2 vs B&O Beolit 20
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Doubles as a power bank. PartyBoost links up to 100 compatible JBL speakers. Three-way speaker system with subwoofer.
Cons: Dips in mid bass range which makes the bass sound undefined, bass boosted, peaky at 700hz, not quite as good mids and treble as the Blast.
Full JBL Boombox 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor test
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King T11 party boombox and Karaoke machine review vs T9, Stormbox Blast and Boombox 3.
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 vs 2x Tribit Stormbox Blast 🤑 Huge difference?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Tailgater Special @20ft. The Budget Beast Against the OG Boombox
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 🔊 Got Bass? Let’s See How They Compare 😲 Battery Powered 🔋
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Bang Max Review, JBL Boombox 3 wannabe 130w
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Skullcandy BARREL XT vs JBL Boombox 3 🤯Budget Banger vs Reigning Champ 🔋 Battery Powered 🏠 Indoors
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: SONY ULT Field 7 💣vs JBL Boombox 3 🧨 Showdown! 🪇Let’s Shake it Up! 🔋Battery Powered Basement Battle
- AudioTribe: JBL Authentics 500 VS JBL Boombox 3 Sound Test Comparison
- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- JBL Boombox 3 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 3 vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Zealot S95
- JBL Boombox 3 vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Zealot ZE01
- See all 24 comparisons
B&O Beolit 20: $649.99 Amazon
Pros: Wireless phone charging.
Cons: Warm sound. Rolled off treble. Bass not as deep as the Onyx Studio 7
Full B&O Beolit 20 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (Bang & Olufsen app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45Hz |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.3" x 9.1" x 7.4" (135 x 230 x 189 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer + dual passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 93dB |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Output Power | 240W peak |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 6 lbs / 2.7 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: B&O Beolit 20 vs Earfun UBoom X - everything fake?
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: $600 premium Bluetooth speaker vs $115 cheapo UBoom X
- techkiste.net: B&O Beolit 20 vs Vifa Copenhagen 2.0 sound-comparison with different music-genres
- Oluv Patreon: B&O Beolit 20 - frequency response measurements
- Reddit Search for B&O Beolit 20 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons