Short answer: the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi. It ranks #26 of 98 boombox speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $389.95 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 Wifi is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Loudest speaker in the category. Its bass reaches about 43Hz before falling 10dB, against 49Hz for the Sony SRS-XG500. The tradeoff: Bass boosted.
Why pick the Sony SRS-XG500: 30 hour battery life; 10-min quick-charge gives 3 hours. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi lacks. It links with other speakers (Party Connect up to 100 speakers), which the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi lacks. Watch for: Thuddy upper bass, not as deep bass as others.
Buy the JBL Boombox 3 Wifi. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony SRS-XG500 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 3 Wifi | Sony SRS-XG500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $389.95 | $399.99 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #26 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #65 of 98 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz | 49Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP66 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Party Connect up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/1.5A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| App | No | Yes (Music Center, Fiestable) |
| EQ | No | Yes (App + ClearAudio+) |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 200W AC / 140W battery | 2x 25W + 2x 10W |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 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
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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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 3 Wifi: $389.95 Amazon $389.95 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 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
Full JBL Boombox 3 Wifi review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 200W AC / 140W battery |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.1” x 10.1” x 7.9” (484 x 256 x 200 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 189mm subwoofer + 2x 81mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Maximum SPL | 111dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: WiFi Edition: JBL Boombox 3 ultimate review! vs Boombox 3 Bluetooth edition More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: Not quite! JBL Authentics 300 review and sound test vs Boombox 3, Encore and Stormbox Blast
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Partybox Encore 2 vs JBL Boombox 3 WiFi - Sound Test - Wide vs Narrow Soundstage! More from Dominik Reviews →
- Mateusz Cholewa: JBL Encore 2 Partybox Deep Bass 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi 🎶 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore Rave 3🧐 🆚 Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi
- Mateusz Cholewa: Marshall Kilburn 3 vs Jbl Boombox 3 WiFi Czy to najlepszy Boombox? - Który lepszy w muzyce ROCK?
- Josh’s Gadgets and More: JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Ruimatech RM-10
- Josh’s Gadgets and More: JBL Boombox 3 WiFi vs ONN Pro X-Large Boombox Sound Comparison
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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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 →
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