Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3. It ranks #21 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $349.95; the JBL Boombox 2 ranks #29 and costs $350, 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.
The case for the JBL Boombox 2: 24 hour battery life (default volume); 20+ hours even at 60% volume. The tradeoff: Somewhat bass heavy and boomy.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox 2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 3 | JBL Boombox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $350 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #21 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #29 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms | 33ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | 46Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | 140ms |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 108dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs / 6.7 kg | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| App | No | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | No |
| MicroSD Playback | No | No |
| Output Power | 180W AC / 136W battery | 160W |
| Dimensions | 19" x 10.1" x 7.9" (482 x 257 x 200 mm) | 19.1" x 7.9" x 10.1" (485 x 201 x 257 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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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? 💋
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- 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
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- 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!
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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 |
| Omnidirectional | 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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