Short answer: the JBL Boombox 4 for better sound quality, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus for the lower price. The JBL Boombox 4 ranks #17 of 73 boombox speakers at $549.95. The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus ranks #26 at $169.98, $379.97 cheaper.
The case for the JBL Boombox 4: Pretty insane output capability for the size. The tradeoff: Pretty overpriced for the category.
What the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus offers: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. Watch for: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost.
Buy the JBL Boombox 4 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Boombox 4 | Soundcore Boom 2 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.95 | $169.98 |
| Ranked | #17 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #26 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 28 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (7 band) | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IPX7 |
| Bluetooth Latency | AAC 144ms, SBC 48ms | - |
| Max Volume | 115dB | 111dB |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs / 5.98 kg | 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, LC3, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, up to 30W) | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| FM Tuner | No | - |
| Microphone Input | No | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | No |
| Output Power | 210W AC / 200W battery | 140W |
| Dimensions | 20.1" x 10.2" x 8.3" (510 x 260 x 210 mm) | 17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 123mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators | 2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters |
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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 Harman Kardon Go + Play 2
- 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
- See all 32 comparisons
Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: $169.98 Amazon Bhphotovideo
Pros: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. This speaker will likely move up as we get a good EQ tune that makes it a lot more neutral.
Cons: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost. Reasonably deep bass, but not as good as the top ranked.
Full Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 111dB |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 140W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This sounds totally different now! Soundcore Boom Plus 2 firmware 03.10
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400?
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus VS Tribit Stormbox Blast 🛜 Boombox Basement Battle 📊Custom EQ 🔥Who You Got?
- Picky Audio: SO CLOSE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
- Picky Audio: Extended Sound Test (Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3)
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: NEW RELEASE! Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Motion Boom Plus🤯Stock EQ, Bass^ Enabled🤜🤛 A Family Feud😆
- GYMCADDY: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Showcase - Lots Of Bass In A Small Package
- EL JEFE REVIEWS: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus 💥 BIGGER & BADDER!
- Jagist reviews: Zealot S95 Vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus!!!
- Reddit Search for Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs W-King D20
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot ZE01
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Zealot S95
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs LG Xboom Stage 301
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Authentics 300
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs JBL Boombox 3
- See all 24 comparisons