Today’s comparison guide is about JBL Boombox vs. Boombox 2 Bluetooth speakers.
You’ll hardly find a music lover who isn’t crazy about a boombox.
But which boombox will blast the bass and remain light in your pocket? Let’s find out!
😉 A Quick Comparison Between JBL Boombox and JBL Boombox 2!
Pros
- Very large and balanced sound profiles
- Capable of withstanding water splashes.
- 24 hours of battery life.
- Bold bass reproduction
- Excellent outdoor performance
Cons
- Persistent humming sound when the battery is low
- Heavy for backpacking and camping purposes
- EQ control is available on limited terms
Boombox is insanely loud, sufficiently bassy, and is surprisingly brilliant for podcasts. Read More
Pros
- Loud stereo sound.
- Neutral sound profile
- Easy to play music outdoors.
- Reliable battery life of 24 hours.
- Multi-device pairing support.
Cons
- It Disappoints serious audiophiles who want EQ adjustments.
- Lacks bass
- Glitches experienced at max. volume.
Boombox 2 is the new version of Boombox which has everything you need, from loudness to a clear and exciting sound profile for memorable outdoor parties. Read More
😇 JBL Boombox Review: The King of Bass!
So, here is a detailed review of this product, which includes an enhanced analysis by our experts and a comparison guide.
Also Read: JBL Partybox 300 vs 100 Speaker Comparison
Like most JBL products, Boombox comes in cool, slick orange and white boxes. It has more “fun” than a premium feel, as it comes in a radio-cassette look.
📦 What Comes In The Box?
The following items are also included in the package:
Perhaps this power is needed to charge the speaker’s massive 20,000mAh battery. That said, it is always okay to explain the assembly procedure in words instead of the Lego-style photos included in the JBL.
We understand the goal of getting the speakers ready to be distributed worldwide. However, still, I wish I had at least one URL that would lead to an explanation rather than dozens of pages of paper-based warranty information or small printed matter.
However, when you first turn on the Boombox, it automatically goes into pairing mode, making it easy to get started.
😎 Exclusive Design
After listening to music at loud volume for a few weeks, we were impressed with how clear it was.
In addition, its gorgeous façade looks good and is a little cautious. There are no extra features, such as voice assistants, which are relatively expensive.
JBL’s Boombox thoroughly blends the bygone aesthetics with the sound quality of modern audiophiles.
Boombox follows JBL’s fundamental design principles and uses fabrics and plastics to create waterproof speakers that look like oversized versions of everything the company has on the market.
If you think of holding these speakers on your shoulder, we warn you not to because it is a heavy cylinder of 11.6 pounds with a sturdy handle.
Considering the size of the device itself, the weight makes sense. The height, width, and depth are 10 x 19.5 x 7.7, which is the opposite of petite.
Two passive radiators are adjacent to the device; otherwise, monochromatic tones give a little optical flair. The cylinder itself houses two 20 mm tweeters with two 4-inch woofers, all symmetrically placed under the grill.
It has a built-in microphone for voice calls, and the case is IPX7 certified.
The Boombox can withstand for nearly half an hour. Rest assured that rain or splashing poolside water can not ruin this, as you probably will not go on throwing it into the sea, we hope.
🔵 Buttons And Setup for Total Control
Some Power, Bluetooth, Volume, Play, and Pause buttons are on the front, maintaining simplicity.
The latter two are connected to the control elements of the mobile device, so there is no separate volume control when paired with the Boombox. There’s no button to skip tracks, so we had to tap the Play and Pause buttons twice to move one track forward.
The Connect + button pairs with other JBL speakers in stereo.
There is a large rubber flap on the speaker’s back that you can push back to reveal five ports. Two USB outputs for charging devices, one 3.5 mm jack / AUX input, a micro USB input (for service only), and a power input (JBL hidden).
Also Read: Top 10 Ceiling Speakers
All small printed matter and electrical information are also sent inside the flap. Next to the flap is a button to switch between indoor and outdoor EQ modes.
The JBL Connect app for iOS and Android speeds up setup. Still, it is not needed to operate the Boombox, you can use it to switch between indoor and outdoor modes (speakers also have a separate button for this) or party and stereo.
This only applies when the Boombox is paired with other JBL speakers.
Switch Between Indoors and Outdoors
The JBL Connect Companion App for iOS and Android speeds up setup. Still, it’s not needed to operate the Boombox. You can use it to switch between indoor and outdoor modes (speakers also have a separate button for this) or party and stereo. This only applies when the Boombox is paired with other JBL speakers.
Also Read: Simple Ways To Reset Any JBL Speaker
👌Flawless Performance
Let us tell you that this Boombox is equipped with two modes: indoor and outdoor, but the only real difference is the extra bass sent out. Even without it, the Boombox is already loud, and bass lovers will feel the beat.
The good thing about it is that it’s loud and distortion-free. The JBL distorted the audio spectrum enough to get more bass out of the Boombox and carefully adjusted the mid-high range balance to achieve an overall richer sound quality that was clearer than expected.
Songs with many acoustic instruments can be muddy because the drum beats tend to push the guitar at the bottom of the mix back, but vocals can have too much echo.
For people who love action movies and video games with lots of shootouts and explosion sounds, boomboxes provide power to every scene.
Also Read: JBL Speaker abruptly turning off troubleshooting
JBL evaluated that the Boombox has 24 hours of playtime on a single charge but found that the volume was reasonably accurate when combined with a Bluetooth or wired connection. The louder the volume, the quicker the battery is consumed.
There was only one annoying problem. We heard a strange, low buzz whenever the radio cassette was low (we noticed it was less than 20%).
It quickly becomes annoying, and we don’t even know its origin. We think updating the firmware will fix the problem, but so far, nothing has removed that problem.
🔋 Giant Battery Life
Boombox’s powerful battery allows you to charge two devices simultaneously while listening to music. This is an advantage over most speakers we come across in terms of ease of use.
These devices don’t charge particularly fast as it takes about 5 hours of quick charge for the Boombox itself to charge fully.
Most impressive is the speaker’s battery life of 24 hours. But we know some exercises about begging and voters. So it will depend upon you too, how well you want to use it.
The bass and midrange drown out the treble resonance, and the speakers sacrifice clarity and detail for a more rounded, heavier bass sound.
🤟JBL Boombox 2 Review: The New Bass Beast!
Here is a complete review of JBL Boombox 2 by our experts.
😮 Bulky Yet Portable Design
It is large, heavy, and has a built-in handle that makes it easy to carry anywhere, whether to the yard, on the roof, or between the trunk of your car.
The JBL Boombox 2 is available in two colors, “black” or “duck.” and is very portable.
It is a little bulky, but it has a top handle, making it easier to carry even with one hand. It also comes with a battery, so you can take it outside without plugging it into an outlet.
Also Read: Popular Altos Songs To Sing
The appearance of the Boombox 2 is similar to the previous model. There is a huge handle on top of the grilled cylindrical case.
Two 30-watt 0.8-inch tweeters and two 40-watt 4-inch woofers in the 50Hz to 20kHz frequency range are grouped under the grill. At both ends of the speaker, two large passive radiators help to produce bass.
The covered panel on the speaker’s back connects to the included power supply unit, a USB port for charging mobile devices, a dedicated micro USB port for services, and a 3.5 mm aux input for wired music sources.
The included power adapter is bulky but has a cable cinch to reduce cable slack.
🤙Easy-to-Use Buttons
JBL Boombox 2 controls are below average. You can skip a track by pressing the play or pause button twice, but some users may be disappointed because they cannot move to the previous track.
However, all the buttons are on the speaker case and are easy to press. In addition to the play or pause button, there is a volume button, Bluetooth pairing button, and PartyBoost button, and you can pair two speakers to form a stereo pair.
There is also a light that indicates a Bluetooth signal and a light at the bottom of the speaker that indicates battery life. The buttons on the top of the speaker are textured, so you can easily find them with a touch.
Pair Two Speakers As A Stereo Pair
All the buttons are on the speaker case and are easy to press. In addition to the play or pause button, there is a volume button, Bluetooth pairing button, and PartyBoost button, and you can pair two speakers to form a stereo pair.
⚡ Performance
The build quality of JBL Boombox 2 is good. It feels solid, and most speakers are wrapped in tight fabric. The speaker sits on a small plastic base, and the large plastic handle has a grip pad on top for comfort and easy portability.
It is IPX7 compliant for water resistance but has not been tested. Its IPX7 rating means it can be submerged in water up to 3.3 feet for 30 minutes.
Bluetooth does not work well underwater and is not recommended, but the point is that the speaker may be submerged and function properly. There is a light to indicate the battery level and whether it is connected to Bluetooth.
The well-balanced mid-high range reproduces vocals and reed instruments. The treble has a little extra boom, but producing deep bass is problematic. Also, no EQ can be used to adjust the sound profile.
The JBL Boombox 2 has a decent sound stage with a 5.2dB directional index. You can play stereo content for a more immersive listening experience.
The treble is more location-specific than the bass so it may sound uneven. At high volumes (this speaker can be pretty loud), DSP (Digital Signal Processing) intervenes to dilute the bass slightly, but the bass is not distorted.
Anyway, even if the DSP gives excellent transparency mode, it dilutes the bass to avoid distortion, and the response is pretty strong. You get maximum bass depth and minimal DSP interference from medium to loud. The bass increase is substantial but subsides a bit before reaching the ultra-low subwoofer range.
The vocals on this track are delivered cleanly and clearly without any additional hissing noise. Boombox 2’s ambient sound signature provides a relatively balanced, crisp, complete performance with less bass reliance.
🔋Long-Lasting Battery Life
JBL Boombox 2 has excellent battery performance. It lasts about 24 hours on a single charge, so you don’t have to recharge it daily. However, the user experience may vary because battery life may vary depending on usage and is subject to aspects of headphone testing.
After about 20 minutes of inactivity, this speaker automatically turns off, saving power. However, it takes about 4 hours to charge when the battery is dead, so additional planning may be required before using it.
🤼JBL Boombox Vs. Boombox 2 Specs: Head-On Comparison
| Boombox | Boombox 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | It supports Bluetooth v4.2, offering zero latency. The speaker has 2 USB ports for input and output power supply (to charge other devices). | Bluetooth v5.1 also offers 0 latency but an improved audio sync. The speaker has only 1 USB port for input only. |
| Battery Life | A massive 20,000mAh battery powering this speaker can last up to 24 hours. | Bluetooth v5.1 also offers 0 latency but an improved audio sync. The speaker has only 1 USB port for input. With a reduced battery of 10,000mAh, it also lasts up to 24 hours since a much more efficient battery powers it. |
| Warranty | 1-year global warranty | 1-year global warranty |
| Output Power | The power on this speaker is 60 watts. | The boombox 2 has a reduced power of 40 watts. |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 rating allows the speakers to be submerged up to 1 meter for about 30 minutes. | The IPX7 rating allows the speakers to be submerged up to 1 meter for about 30 minutes. |
| Frequency | 50Hz-20kHz | 50Hz-20kHz |
| Dimensions | Slightly bigger than Boombox 2. The speaker comes in dimensions: 14 X 21 X 17.5 inches. | Unlike Boombox, the speaker has dimensions: 12.76 X 9.33 X21.97 inches |
| Weight | The speaker weighs in at 5.25 kg | This speaker is heavier, weighing 5.9 kg |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Want a video comparison? Here you go!
Regarding Boombox brands and models, JBL offers the Boombox and Boombox 2. These machines are robust, easy to carry, and loud, making them ideal for parties, outdoor events, and dance-off competitions with their unique features.
But if there was a clear winner, who would it be? Check out this JBL Boombox and Boombox 2 comparison and review.
🤹♂️ Here Are The Key Differences Between Boombox 1 and 2:
JBL Boombox and Boombox 2 look similar, but there are some very obvious differences.
Boombox 2 is smaller than the original Boombox. The size of Boombox 2 is 12.76 x 9.33 x 21.97 inches, while the size of Boombox 2 is 14 x 21 x 17.50 inches. The Boombox is bigger but lighter as well at a lower price.
Boombox 2 is small but heavy at 13.01 pounds. The JBL Boombox can be connected to various portable speakers using the JBL Connect + feature. During this time, Boombox 2 will not establish a connection using the JBL Connect + feature but will use the JBL PartyBoost feature.
The JBL boombox will be larger but lighter. Light speakers are easier to carry anywhere than heavy models. Boombox also uses JBL Connect +. This connects to more JBL products than the PartyBoost connection feature.
Finally, Boombox uses an extended JBL speaker component that allows you to hear and “see” powerful bass.
On the other hand, JBL Boombox 2 also has some good points. It is smaller and more compact than a radio cassette player. The small and compact portable speaker is easy to carry anywhere and easily fits in your car or pocket.
Boombox 2 can only connect to a few speakers, but the updated speaker components are easier to connect and improve performance. Both speakers are available at a modest price, and there is not much price difference between them.
🤔 Which Has a Better Battery Life?
The JBL Boombox and Boombox 2 are advertised with the same 24-hour battery life but significantly lower peak volume.
One reviewer claimed that the actual battery usage was slightly better than the large volume of the original Boombox.
The battery of the JBL Boombox 2 is 10,000 mAh, smaller than the original JBL Boombox’s 20,000 mAh battery.
Therefore, if they have the same utilization, it means that JBL has improved the efficiency of JBL Boombox 2 through updated Bluetooth and other means.
🧐 And the Winner Is
According to us, the winner is the newer JBL Boombox 2. But, we suggest you go with whichever of these two fulfills your requirements. There is no hard and fast rule, but if it comes to picking out the best out of these two, it is JBL Boombox 2.
Steal My References: 1. JBL Boombox vs Boombox 2 Reddit [Go through the comments as the original post is deleted]
🙋♀️Have Any Boombox Questions For Me? I Have Answered Them All!
Is JBL making a Boombox 3?
Ans: After the success and the overwhelming response towards its very latest Boombox 2, JBL is yet to give any official statement over the launch and continuation of its famous ‘boombox’ speaker range and the JBL Xtreme as well. But, the talk is that there are chances of a boombox 3 coming out, bigger and better than before.
Is JBL Boombox 2 good for parties?
Ans: A brief and concise answer to this would be yes, it is. There are multiple factors at play here, the waterproof nature of the speakers for one. Working well for parties and large gatherings, this speaker packs a punch.
Even better, this speaker stands strong compared to party speakers falling in the same price bracket. So, host a garden party or a pool without worrying about the music being an issue.
How much louder is the JBL Boombox compared to other Bluetooth speakers?
Ans: JBL Boombox promises enhanced and improved audio compared to regular Bluetooth speakers.
While most regular Bluetooth speakers continue to give off loud music that falls in the 87-88 dB range, JBL Boombox can offer a comfortable and powerful sound at 101 dB. Not only that, in comparison to the basic Bluetooth speakers, the battery backup of the Boomboxes is worth so much more.
How to prevent my JBL speaker from turning itself off automatically?
Ans: Some speakers have this feature where they tend to turn off automatically if they do not detect any sound outcome from them.
One way to deal with it is to reduce the speaker volume when connected but leave the volume of the audio device connected to the speaker. This will help the speaker to continue pushing some audio across and keep it turned on.
Can you pair the JBL Boombox and JBL Boombox 2 with other speakers and to each other?
Ans: JBL Boombox and JBL Boombox 2, Both of these speakers can be connected to other speakers if they support the same Bluetooth level or are of a version suitable enough to support interlinking via the JBL connect function or PartyBoost Connect.
This feature is only limited to those speakers who meet the requirements. Unlike the JBL Xtreme, JBL Xtreme, JBL Xtreme 2, and many more, not all speakers fit these criteria. Also, a JBL speaker can be connected to another PartyBoost-compatible speaker.
Talking of this, Boombox and Boombox 2 can be connected. However, this feature will not be around for long since JBL will be introducing new speakers to eliminate the need to club multiple speakers together.
About the Author
Rach Wellard
Rach Wellard is the driving force behind Sound & Solitude. Her mission is to help you discover the profound impact of sound in your daily life and to explore the beauty of solitude. With a deep passion for the connection between soundscapes and emotions, she brings a unique blend of expertise and personal dedication to our platform.
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