Short answer: the JBL Cove P1. It ranks #57 of 167 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $399.95; the Sony LSPX-S3 ranks #68, rated 3.5/5, and costs $474.89, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The JBL Cove P1 is the longer-running pick. A battery-powered portable smart speaker with up to 14 hours of unplugged playback and IP56 dust and water resistance. It is rated for 14 hours of battery against 8 for the Sony LSPX-S3. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sony LSPX-S3 lacks. The tradeoff: No independent acoustic measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its frequency linearity, distortion, and maximum output can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
The Sony LSPX-S3 is the lighter choice. Unique organic glass tube design vibrates to act as a 360-degree tweeter. At 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) it weighs much less than the JBL Cove P1 at 7.2 lbs (3.26 kg). The catch: No water or dust resistance rating (delicate glass construction).
Buy the JBL Cove P1. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sony LSPX-S3 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: JBL Cove P1 3.4 to 3.8; Sony LSPX-S3 3.1 to 3.9). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Cove P1 | Sony LSPX-S3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.95 | $474.89 |
| Ranked | #57 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated | #68 of 167 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers Estimated |
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS | - |
| App | JBL One | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Dimensions | 5.7” x 9.2” x 5.8” (146 x 233 x 147 mm) | 3.7” x 11.4” x 3.7” (94 x 289 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 4x 0.75” (20mm) tweeters | Organic glass tube tweeter + 46mm midrange + passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| IP Rating | IP56 | - |
| Lights | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (Constant Sound Field) | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes | - |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| Power Input | AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Strap | No | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready | - |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Voice Assistants | Alexa | - |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs (3.26 kg) | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for JBL Cove P1:
- JBL Pulse 6 vs JBL Cove P1
- Bose Soundlink Revolve+ II vs JBL Cove P1
- JBL Cove P1 vs Klipsch New York
- Sony LSPX-S3 vs Rocksteady Stadium 2.0
- Klipsch New York vs Sony LSPX-S3
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 Cove P1: $399.95 Estimated Amazon B&H Photo Video Crutchfield eBay
Pros: A battery-powered portable smart speaker with up to 14 hours of unplugged playback and IP56 dust and water resistance. It packs 120W RMS across a 3.0.1-channel acoustic architecture with a 4-inch woofer and 4-tweeter array, supporting Dolby Atmos Music and Constant Sound Field room-filling audio. Wi-Fi 6 streaming sits alongside Bluetooth 5.3, with AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon Ready. The JBL One app offers EQ and multi-room grouping with other Cove models or Bar MK2 soundbars, plus convenient room-to-room playback transfer via the physical Moment button.
Cons: No independent acoustic measurements or tested reviews have been published yet, so its frequency linearity, distortion, and maximum output can’t be compared with ranked speakers. At 3.26 kg and 23.3 cm tall, it is a substantial portable best suited to moving between rooms or taking to the patio rather than backpacking. It is relatively expensive at $399.95, and has no analog 3.5mm aux input (playback is Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB).
Full JBL Cove P1 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2026 (new) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 120W RMS |
| App | JBL One |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 5.7” x 9.2” x 5.8” (146 x 233 x 147 mm) |
| Drivers | 4” (102mm) woofer, 4x 0.75” (20mm) tweeters |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP56 |
| Lights | No |
| Omnidirectional | Yes (Constant Sound Field) |
| Party Mode | Yes |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC 100-240V, 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Alexa |
| Weight | 7.2 lbs (3.26 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- 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
Sony LSPX-S3: $474.89 Estimated Amazon eBay
Pros: Unique organic glass tube design vibrates to act as a 360-degree tweeter. Features candle flicker LED lighting mode, LDAC high-resolution Bluetooth support, and a built-in rechargeable battery providing up to 8 hours of playback. Supports Stereo Pair with a second unit and Touch Sensor brightness controls.
Cons: No water or dust resistance rating (delicate glass construction). Limited bass extension from compact 46mm transducer. Higher price point than standard portable speakers of similar acoustic output.
Full Sony LSPX-S3 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 3.7” x 11.4” x 3.7” (94 x 289 x 94 mm) |
| Drivers | Organic glass tube tweeter + 46mm midrange + passive radiator |
| EQ | No |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg) |
- Links
- 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