Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4 for better sound quality, the Demerbox DB2 for the lower price. The JBL Boombox 4 ranks #17 of 73 boombox speakers at $549.95. The Demerbox DB2 ranks #49 at $400, $149.95 cheaper.
What the JBL Boombox 4 offers: Pretty insane output capability for the size, with 7-band EQ for better tuning than the Boombox 3. Watch for: It’s overpriced for the category, sounds worse than the Boombox 3 out of the box, and drops Aux input entirely.
What the Demerbox DB2 offers: Built from an actual Pelican case, so it’s nearly indestructible and waterproof (IP67), plus 40+ hour battery life and multi-pair up to 6 units. Watch for: Bass isn’t as deep as better speakers, and it’s expensive for what it does.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Demerbox DB2 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Demerbox DB2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $400 |
| Ranked | #17 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #49 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | No |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Max Volume | 115dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | AC Power brick |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg | 5.4 lbs / 2.47 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | No |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | - |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 22W RMS |
| Dimensions | 20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 10.6" x 9.7" x 6.9" (270 x 246 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 2x 3" (76mm) aluminum cone full-range drivers |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs B&O Beolit 20
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs JBL Partybox Club 120
- Harman Kardon Go + Play 2 vs Turtlebox Gen 2
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs JBL Boombox 4
The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Boombox 4: $549.95 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Pretty insane output capability for the size.
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 →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 |
| Max Volume | 115dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- JOY‘s 🎧3D🔈Audio-Show: JBL Boombox 4 vs Boombox 3 - old one sounding better? 🤔
- 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!
- 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!!!
- Techder Audios: JBL Boombox 4 VS Zealot ZE21 BATTLE OF THE BOOMBOXES!
- Dominik Reviews: Zealot S89 vs JBL Boombox 4 - JBL Alternative? Sound Test
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S89!!!
- Jagist reviews: Jbl Boombox 4 Vs Zealot S95!!!
- Reddit Search for JBL Boombox 4 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot S89
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE21
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 5
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Zealot ZE41
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox 3 Wifi
- JBL Boombox 4 vs JBL Boombox 3
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9
- JBL Boombox 4 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- See all 24 comparisons
Demerbox DB2: $400 Amazon
Pros: 40+ hour battery life even at higher volumes (real-world: ~14 hrs with phone charging mixed in). Built from a Pelican case - nearly indestructible and waterproof (IP67). Multi-pair up to 6 units. Doubles as power bank and waterproof container.
Cons: Bass is not as deep as better speakers. Very overpriced.
Full Demerbox DB2 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.6" x 9.7" x 6.9" (270 x 246 x 175 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 3" (76mm) aluminum cone full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 22W RMS |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 5.4 lbs / 2.47 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons