Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4 without much doubt. The JBL offers pretty insane output for its size with a 7-band EQ, though it is overpriced and sounds worse than the Boombox 3 out of the box. The Artsound PWR05 claims 150W (75W RMS) through a 3-way setup with 4 drivers and no distortion at high volume, but our notes flag strange frequency peaks and a very hollow sound.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Artsound PWR05 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Battery life favors the JBL Boombox 4: rated for 28 hours against 10 hours for the Artsound PWR05.
There is a real gap in water resistance: the JBL Boombox 4 at IP68 (extended submersion) against the Artsound PWR05, which has IPX5 (water jets).
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Artsound PWR05 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $799 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #20 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #89 of 91 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Partially |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 75W RMS / 150W peak |
| Dimensions | 20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 16.9” x 7.1” x 7.1” (430 x 180 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 5” woofer + tweeter |
| Strap | No | Yes (carry strap) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Boombox 4 compares with other leading options:
- Earfun Uboom X vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 3 vs JBL Boombox 4
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL PartyBox On-The-Go 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 4
Prices on this page were last checked October 4, 2026 at 9:58 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 4: $549.95 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Older models: the JBL Boombox 3 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5), the JBL Boombox 2 (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Boombox (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5).
Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size. IP68 protection and Auracast pairing with other current JBL speakers. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Pretty overpriced for the category. Better than the Boombox 3 mostly because there are more 7 EQ bands instead of just 3 and it can be better tuned. Try Oluv’s EQ for it. Out of the box sounds worse than the Boombox 3. No Aux input.
Full JBL Boombox 4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 210W AC / 200W battery |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | 20.1” x 10.2” x 8.3” (510 x 260 x 210 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔 More from Oluv’Sone →
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Earfun UBoom X - sound test
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - any improvement?
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Partybox Encore 2 - outdoor loudness & basstest
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 - finally a real BOOMbox from JBL 👏
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 HUMILIATES Brane X?! Ultimate Bass Battle! More from alanrossreviews →
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 Compared to Boombox 3 & 3 WiFi – Worth the Upgrade?
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Boombox 4 distortion fest bonanza! how bad can it be lol 🤣
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot Ze21!!! More from Jagistreviews →
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES! More from techderaudios →
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test More from Dominik Reviews →
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- M1MTechChannel: JBL BOOMBOX 4 - Einfach komplett GEISTESKRANK
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Artsound PWR05: $799 Discontinued eBay
Pros: 150W (75W RMS) 3-way speaker with 4 drivers, no distortion even at high volume. 10 hour battery life. Leather carrying strap, rugged ABS housing. TWS technology pairs two units wirelessly. Aux input for other sources.
Cons: Strange frequency peaks, sound is very hollow. Discontinued.
Full Artsound PWR05 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 75W RMS / 150W peak |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 16.9” x 7.1” x 7.1” (430 x 180 x 180 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” woofer + tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Partially |
| Strap | Yes (carry strap) |
| TWS | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons