Short answer: the Turtlebox Gen 3 for better sound quality, the Pioneer PBM5 for the lower price, though neither ranks well in its class. The Turtlebox Gen 3 ranks #105 of 113 boombox speakers, rated 2.1/5, at $430. The Pioneer PBM5 ranks #112, rated 2.0/5, at $149, $281 cheaper. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 113 boombox speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Tribit Stormbox Blast instead, ranked #2 at $199.99.
The Turtlebox Gen 3 is the longer-running, lighter pick. A loud, waterproof and crushproof outdoor speaker with a big battery, device charging and party mode linking. It is rated for 25 hours of battery against 13 for the Pioneer PBM5. At 10 lbs (4.54 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Pioneer PBM5 at 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg). It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Pioneer PBM5. The catch: Sounds basically identical to the original and the Turtlebox Gen 2: each generation mainly added features, not sound quality.
The Pioneer PBM5 is the louder choice. A loud karaoke boombox with two mic inputs, a guitar input, lights, a shoulder strap and a choice of USB-C or AC power. Williston Audio Labs measured it at 105dB at full volume, against 102dB for the Turtlebox Gen 3. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Turtlebox Gen 3 lacks. The catch: Williston Audio Labs was not impressed with its sound: there is very little bass below 100Hz, and the amplifier’s output has a big dip from 1.6kHz to 10kHz that leaves the upper mids and treble recessed.
Buy the Turtlebox Gen 3 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Pioneer PBM5 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Measured Differences
- Output: the Pioneer PBM5 was measured at 105 dB maximum against 102 dB for the Turtlebox Gen 3, so it gets somewhat louder before it runs out of headroom.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Turtlebox Gen 3 | Pioneer PBM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $430.00 | $149.00 |
| Ranked | #105 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #112 of 113 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~65Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 25 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 13 hours at 60% volume (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Stereo | Yes | - |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Weight | 10 lbs (4.54 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | - |
| App | No | Yes |
| EQ | No | Yes (presets + user EQ) |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Turtlebox Party Mode) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | - |
| USB Playback | No | Yes (MP3 only) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Power Input | DC Barrel Connector (15V/3A) | USB-C or AC Power cord |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 300W peak (Manufacturer specified), about 90W measured |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7” x 8.7” (305 x 178 x 222 mm) | 8.9”H x 17.4”W x 8.1”D (226 x 442 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6x9” (152x228mm) woofer + 1x 1” (25mm) tweeter | 2x 133mm (5.25”) woofers + 2x 51mm (2”) tweeters |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Strap | No | Yes (detachable shoulder strap) |
| Microphone Input | Yes (3.5mm) | Yes (2 inputs) |
| Battery Capacity | 85Wh | - |
| Maximum SPL | 102dB (measured by Williston Audio Labs) | 105dB at 2m (measured by Williston Audio Labs) |
| Guitar Input | - | Yes |
| Lights | - | Yes |
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
Where the Ratings Come From
- Turtlebox Gen 3: reviews by Williston Audio Labs, Outeraudio and Risk Profile.
- Pioneer PBM5: reviews by Williston Audio Labs and AnotherReview ByFrank.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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