Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. It ranks #26 of 73 boombox speakers by sound quality at $169.98; the JBL Boombox ranks #46 and costs $399, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus side: Quite a bit lighter than most of the other boombox size speakers. Set against that: Warm tuning meaning a rolled off treble and some upper bass boost.
What the JBL Boombox offers: Connect+ up to 100 speakers. Watch for: Treble isn’t very smooth.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Boombox and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 2 Plus | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.98 | $399 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #26 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #46 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes (Pro EQ + presets) | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IPX5 |
| Max Volume | 111dB | - |
| MicroSD Playback | No | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast 2.0) | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C, 5V/2A) | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 8.4 lbs / 3.8 kg | 11.5 lbs / 5.2 kg |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| USB Playback | No | No |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Output Power | 140W | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| Dimensions | 17.3" x 9.1" x 5.9" (440 x 230 x 150 mm) | 10" x 18.1" x 7.7" (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 114mm (4.5") woofers + 2x 19mm (0.75") tweeters | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| FM Tuner | - | No |
| Microphone Input | - | No |
| Discontinued | - | Yes |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Soundcore Motion Boom+ vs Marshall Tufton
- Soundcore Rave Party 2 vs Sony SRS-XG500
- onn Pro X Large Boom Boombox vs Sony SRS-XG500
- Soundcore Boom 2 Plus vs Sony ULT Field 7
- JBL Boombox 3 Wifi vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus
The Two Speakers In Full
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
JBL Boombox: $399 Discontinued JBL Boombox
Pros: Connect+ up to 100 speakers.
Cons: Treble isn’t very smooth. Discontinued.
Full JBL Boombox review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10" x 18.1" x 7.7" (254.5 x 458.5 x 195.5 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 2x 65mm woofers + 2x 20mm tweeters with passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| FM Tuner | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | No |
| Microphone Input | No |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 60W AC / 40W battery |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs / 5.2 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons