Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4. It ranks #20 of 85 boombox speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $429.95. The Hopestar A65 ranks #48, rated 3.3/5, at $159.99, $269.96 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Side by side the JBL Boombox 4 was the better speaker, with more clarity and deeper low bass. The Hopestar A65 is mids heavy with weak highs; its mids are too forward and it sounds like a cheaper speaker.
The Hopestar hits harder in punchy upper bass, especially at high volume, and it is slightly louder. The Boombox 4 can be harsher at max volume because of how hard it pushes the top end.
The A65 includes a wireless microphone, SD, USB and aux inputs and lights. The Boombox 4 adds IP67 protection, the JBL Portable app, Auracast and a much more refined sound.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $269.96 with the Hopestar A65 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Battery life favors the JBL Boombox 4: rated for 28 hours against 10 hours for the Hopestar A65.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Hopestar A65 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $429.95 | $159.99 |
| Ranked | #20 of 85 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #48 of 85 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8-10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | - |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Maximum SPL | 115dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | - |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs (5.98 kg) | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | - |
| TWS | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| USB Playback | No | Yes |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 300W |
| 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 | 2x 119mm woofers + 2x 78mm midranges + 2x 66mm tweeters |
| Strap | No | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Wireless Microphones | - | Yes 1 Included |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Boombox 4:
- 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 Boombox 4 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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: $429.95 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 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
Hopestar A65: $159.99 Amazon Hopestar eBay
Pros: Very loud, a touch louder than the JBL Boombox 4, with punchy bass that hits hard at high volume. 300W from two 119mm woofers, two 78mm midranges and two 66mm tweeters, a 27,000mAh battery with a claimed 8 to 10 hours, IPX7, a wireless microphone, USB, aux and SD inputs and lights. Sold in the US as the WorryFree Gadgets WA65.
Cons: Side by side it sounds mids heavy with weak highs and clarity. The JBL Boombox 4 is clearly better, and the W-King X20 sounds clearer, with the A65 muffled in its indoor mode and only close in its outdoor mode. Heavy at 8.1 kg. The evidence is listening comparisons, not measurements.
Full Hopestar A65 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 300W |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8-10 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 119mm woofers + 2x 78mm midranges + 2x 66mm tweeters |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Stereo | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 17.9 lbs (8.1 kg) |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes 1 Included |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons