JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Marshall Kilburn III

Last updated: October 10, 2026

These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranks #26 of 91 boombox speakers by sound quality at $389.95; the Marshall Kilburn III ranks #42 of 103 large speakers by sound quality at $379.99.

JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Marshall Kilburn III

The JBL Boombox 3 Wifi is the tougher choice. Loudest speaker in the category. It is rated IP67 against IP54 for the Marshall Kilburn III. The catch: Bass boosted.

The Marshall Kilburn III is the longer-running, lighter option. Spacious soundstage with broad stereo dispersion from Marshall’s True Stereophonic multi-driver layout, delivering warm, room-filling sound with 45Hz bass extension. It is rated for 50 hours of battery against 24 for the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi. At 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi at 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi lacks. Watch for: Noticeable dips in the midrange compromise frequency response neutrality, making vocals and acoustic instruments sound somewhat recessed or muffled compared to more linear competitors like the JBL Xtreme 4 unless the bass dial is dialed back.

Buy the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi at $389.95 for a boombox speaker, or the Marshall Kilburn III at $379.99 for a large speaker instead.

Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

JBL Boombox 3 Wifi Marshall Kilburn III
Price$389.95$379.99
Ranked#26 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers#42 of 103 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputYesYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)43Hz45Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)50 hours (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingIP67IP54
Maximum SPL111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)91dB
Party ModeNoYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)Yes
Power InputAC Power cableUSB-C
StereoYesYes
OmnidirectionalNoNo
TWSYesYes
Weight14.6 lbs (6.6 kg)6.3 lbs (2.85 kg)
Wi-FiYes-
BluetoothYesYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBCSBC, AAC
AppNoYes
EQNoYes
USB PlaybackNo-
Built-in MicrophoneNoNo
Amplifier Power200W AC / 140W battery50W
Dimensions19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm)10.7” x 5.9” x 6.7” (272 x 150 x 170 mm)
Drivers1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters1x 4” woofer + 2x 2” full-range drivers
Digital Aux InputNoNo
Bluetooth Version5.35.3
StrapNoYes (built-in strap)
Frequency Response-45Hz - 20kHz

Watch Them Compared

Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.

How JBL Boombox 3 Wifi compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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.

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The Two Speakers In Full

JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon eBay

JBL Boombox 3 Wifi ranking card

Newer model: the JBL Boombox 4, ranked higher, rated 4/5, released Jul 2025. It adds USB audio input, app control, adjustable EQ and party mode, but drops the aux input. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68. See every JBL Boombox generation.

Same family: the JBL Boombox 3 (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5).

Pros: Loudest speaker in the category. Slightly better frequency response than the non-wifi version. Measured bass extension of 43Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass boosted. Dip at 160Hz

ReleasedMay 2023 (3 years ago)
Amplifier Power200W AC / 140W battery
AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)43Hz
Battery Life24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm)
Drivers1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters
EQNo
IP RatingIP67
Maximum SPL111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankYes (USB-A, 5V/2A)
Power InputAC Power cable
StereoYes
StrapNo
TWSYes
USB PlaybackNo
Weight14.6 lbs (6.6 kg)
Wi-FiYes

Marshall Kilburn III: $379.99 Amazon eBay

Marshall Kilburn III ranking card

Older model: the Marshall Kilburn II (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5). See every Marshall Portable Speakers generation.

Same family: the Marshall Willen II (smaller model, rated 4/5), the Marshall Emberton III (smaller model, rated 2.7/5), the Marshall Middleton II (smaller model, ranked higher, rated 4.1/5) and the Marshall Stockwell III (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 3/5).

Pros: Spacious soundstage with broad stereo dispersion from Marshall’s True Stereophonic multi-driver layout, delivering warm, room-filling sound with 45Hz bass extension. Independent physical bass and treble dials allow quick tonal adjustments on the fly, backed by app-based EQ and placement compensation. Battery life is outstanding at up to 50+ hours with USB-C power-bank charging, IP54 splash resistance, 3.5mm aux input, and Bluetooth 5.3 with Auracast broadcast support. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Noticeable dips in the midrange compromise frequency response neutrality, making vocals and acoustic instruments sound somewhat recessed or muffled compared to more linear competitors like the JBL Xtreme 4 unless the bass dial is dialed back. The Marshall Kilburn II retains slightly punchier perceived loudness at maximum volume due to a more aggressive V-shaped contour. At 2.85 kg with only IP54 splash resistance, it is heavy and cannot withstand water immersion. Lacks a built-in microphone and LDAC codec support.

ReleasedMay 2025 (1 year ago)
Amplifier Power50W
AppYes
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)45Hz
Battery Life50 hours (Manufacturer specified)
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Bluetooth Version5.3
Built-in MicrophoneNo
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions10.7” x 5.9” x 6.7” (272 x 150 x 170 mm)
Drivers1x 4” woofer + 2x 2” full-range drivers
EQYes
Frequency Response45Hz - 20kHz
IP RatingIP54
Maximum SPL91dB
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeYes (Auracast)
Power BankYes
Power InputUSB-C
StereoYes
StrapYes (built-in strap)
TWSYes
Weight6.3 lbs (2.85 kg)