Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3. It ranks #27 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $349.95 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XG500 ranks #65 (rated 3.0/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XG500’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 7, is rated 3.2/5 at $448.99.
The JBL Boombox 3 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass pick. 24 hour battery life (6.5 hour charge time). Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 10dB, against 49Hz for the Sony SRS-XG500. Watch for: 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 Sony SRS-XG500 does well: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Boombox 3 lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox 3 lacks. The tradeoff: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sony SRS-XG500 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 3 | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.95 | $399.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #27 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #65 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP66 |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| App | No | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 180W AC / 136W battery | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Dimensions | 19” x 10.1” x 7.9” (482 x 257 x 200 mm) | 18.1” x 10.1” x 8.5” (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Strap | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to JBL Boombox 3:
- EarFun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 3: $349.95 Amazon $349.95 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. It adds USB audio input, app control, adjustable EQ and AAC, but drops the aux input. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68.
Older models: the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every JBL Boombox generation.
Same family: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5).
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. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).
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 →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 180W AC / 136W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 25ms |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| 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 |
| Maximum SPL | 110dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs (6.7 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement? More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor test
- Oluv Patreon: Earfun UBoom X vs JBL Boombox 3 - outdoor
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 review vs JBL Boombox 2 a subwoofer and a 3 way equals heaven? 💋 More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition
- Alan Ross Reviews: Tronsmart Bang Max Review, JBL Boombox 3 wannabe 130w
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- Alan Ross Reviews: W King T11 party boombox and Karaoke machine review vs T9, Stormbox Blast and Boombox 3.
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X20 JBL Boombox 3 killer! this should be illegal! - I was shocked!
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Distortion Fest vs my favorite speaker today! I wasn’t expecting this!
- Alan Ross Reviews: This changed my opinion on JBL speakers!
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Boombox 3 vs 2x Tribit Stormbox Blast 🤑 Huge difference? More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Zealot ZE21 vs JBL Boombox 3 Tailgater Special @20ft. The Budget Beast Against the OG Boombox More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 🔊 Got Bass? Let’s See How They Compare 😲 Battery Powered 🔋
- 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
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: JBL Authentics 500 vs Boombox 3 🙮💨 Bluetooth Speaker Sound Comparison. Plugged In 🔌 Get Your 💵 Out!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3 More from pickyaudio →
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- YARNZO Tech: Jbl boombox3 vs zealot s98 full sound comparison 🔊🎧 More from YARNZO Tech →
- GYMCADDY: Bose S1 Pro Vs JBL Boombox 3 & Sony ULT 7 More from GYMCADDY →
- AudioTribe: JBL Authentics 500 VS JBL Boombox 3 Sound Test Comparison
- flmclau: Zealot s98 160W!!!quick unboxing and sound test,is it better than Jbl boombox 3?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 3 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Bugani Brief Pro
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Ruimatech RM-10
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Zealot S98
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Boombox 3 vs W-King X20S
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- JBL Boombox 3 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- See all 96 comparisons
Sony SRS-XG500: $399.99 Discontinued Amazon $399.99 eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 7, ranked higher, rated 3.2/5, released Apr 2024. It drops app control. Water resistance goes from IP66 to IP67. See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. Battery care function stops charging at 90% to extend longevity. IP66 water/dust resistant. Two USB-A ports (one charges devices), mic/guitar inputs, AUX. Party mode links 100+ speakers. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others. Speaker will not remain at max volume and will turn itself down automatically. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XG500 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| App | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 18.1” x 10.1” x 8.5” (460 x 256 x 215 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 30mm tweeters + 2x 40mm mid-range + 1x 60mm woofer |
| EQ | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| IP Rating | IP66 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DLX Willington: Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Encore Essential Sound Battle More from DLXWillington →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Tribit Stormbox Blast 🆚 Sony SRS-XG500 - Tailgater Special - Battery Powered ☢️ Bass Boost Enabled. More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jagist reviews: Tribit Stormbox Blast vs Sony SRS XG 500 More from Jagistreviews →
- GYMCADDY: Soundboks Go Vs JBL Boombox 2 Vs UE Hyperboom Vs Sony XG500 More from GYMCADDY →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Partybox On the Go
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs JBL Boombox
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Onn Medium Party Speaker Gen 2
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Soundcore Motion Boom+
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Skullcandy Barrel
- Sony SRS-XG500 vs Teufel Boomster NG (2017)
- See all 53 comparisons