Short answer: the JBL Eon One Compact, if you are buying new. The Soundboks 3 ranks higher than it (#10 vs #13 of 14 battery-powered PA speakers, 3.3/5 vs 2.9/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the JBL Eon One Compact is still sold new at $698.
The Soundboks 3 is the better-sounding, longer-running pick. Tied for the loudest battery powered speaker. It is rated for 40 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Eon One Compact. It is rated IP65, while the JBL Eon One Compact has no water resistance. It links with other speakers (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers), which the JBL Eon One Compact cannot. Watch for: Not as neutral or as deep of bass as the above Partyboxes.
The case for the JBL Eon One Compact: Professional 4-channel mixer with XLR/TRS preamps, phantom power for condenser mics. The tradeoff: Quite distorted at full volume.
Buy the JBL Eon One Compact if you want one new; the Soundboks 3 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete PA & Live Sound rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundboks 3 | JBL Eon One Compact | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 Discontinued | $698.00 |
| Ranked | #10 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers | #13 of 14 in Battery-Powered PA Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP65 | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 6.3mm Hi-Z instrument, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB | 112dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | - |
| Removable Battery | Yes | - |
| SKAA | Yes | - |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Drivers | 2x 10” (254mm) woofers + 1x 1” (25mm) compression tweeter with horn | 8” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood | Polypropylene |
| DSP | App EQ | 4-channel digital mixer with EQ and effects |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Amplifier Power | 216W (3x 72W) | 150W |
| Dimensions | 25.6” x 17” x 13” (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) | 11.5” x 10” x 15.7” (291.1 x 255 x 399 mm) |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount socket | 35mm pole mount |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 37.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Coverage | - | 100° H x 50° V |
| RCA Input | - | No |
| TRS Input | - | Yes |
| Optical Input | - | No |
| Coaxial Input | - | No |
| USB Input | - | No |
| HDMI Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Soundboks 3:
- Electro-Voice Everse 12 vs Soundboks 3
- Electro-Voice Everse 8 vs Soundboks 3
- Teufel Rockster Neo vs Soundboks 3
- Teufel Rockster Air 2 vs Soundboks 3
- Bose S1 Pro+ vs Soundboks 3
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
Soundboks 3: $699 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundboks 4, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5.
Pros: Tied for the loudest battery powered speaker. Removable 40 hour battery. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Very large. Not as neutral or as deep of bass as the above Partyboxes. Not stereo. External power brick for charging. Discontinued; no longer sold by Soundboks, only third-party resale stock remains.
Full Soundboks 3 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 216W (3x 72W) |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 52Hz |
| Battery Life | 40 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Poplar plywood |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 3-way active PA |
| DSP | App EQ |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 25.6” x 17” x 13” (650.2 x 431.8 x 330.2 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 10” (254mm) woofers + 1x 1” (25mm) compression tweeter with horn |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/6.3mm combo (mic/instrument), 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 126dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (TeamUp, up to 5 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Removable Battery | Yes |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount socket |
| SKAA | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 34 lbs (15.4 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes (2x combo) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
JBL Eon One Compact: $698.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Professional 4-channel mixer with XLR/TRS preamps, phantom power for condenser mics. 112dB SPL, lightweight 17.6 lbs with swappable 12-hour battery. 8-inch woofer extends to 37.5Hz. Versatile positioning (upright PA or floor monitor). Large clear controls. Ducking feature auto-lowers music when speech detected. Handles DJ sets, vocals, guitar, corporate talks, and Bluetooth streaming. High efficiency drivers reach 2-3x the volume of typical speakers for the same wattage.
Cons: Quite distorted at full volume. Treble is quite rolled off, not much clarity. Not stereo.
Full JBL Eon One Compact review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 150W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Cabinet Material | Polypropylene |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Configuration | Battery-powered 2-way active PA |
| Coverage | 100° H x 50° V |
| DSP | 4-channel digital mixer with EQ and effects |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.5” x 10” x 15.7” (291.1 x 255 x 399 mm) |
| Drivers | 8” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 37.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | 2x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line), 6.3mm Hi-Z instrument, 3.5mm stereo, Bluetooth |
| Maximum SPL | 112dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Rigging | 35mm pole mount |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | No |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Teufel Rockster Air
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Soundboks 4
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Mackie Thump Go
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Bose S1 Pro+
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Teufel Rockster Air 2
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Teufel Rockster Neo
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Electro-Voice Everse 8
- JBL Eon One Compact vs Electrotec Stage One
- See all 37 comparisons