There is a contradiction in the Bluetooth speaker market. When you’re trying to purchase one, you’ll be faced with a plethora of possibilities that might leave you feeling overwhelmed and unable to make a decision. While numerous possibilities remain even after you’ve reduced your selections to a single price range and a specific firm, there is little difference between them. Bluetooth speakers from JBL have a long history of producing high-quality sound, and there are plenty to choose from.
We’ll compare the JBL Boombox 3 and JBL Boombox 2 Bluetooth speakers today to determine which offers more specialized features.
JBL Boombox 3 vs Boombox 2: Comparison Chart
Boombox 3 | Boombox 2 | |
---|---|---|
Configuration | 3 way | 2 way |
Audio components | JBL Pro Sound | JBL Pro Sound |
Battery | 24 hour | 24 hour |
Charging time | 6.5 hours | 6.5 hours |
Bluetooth version | v5.1 | v5.3 |
Voice assistant | No | No |
Frequency response | 50Hz-20kHz | 50Hz-20kHz |
IPX rating | IP67 | IPX7 |
Price | Check the latest price on amazon | Check the latest price on amazon |
JBL Boombox 3 vs Boombox 2
Design & Build Quality
JBL Boombox 3 and Boombox 2 have a design and construction quality that is comparable to each other. These are medium-sized, horizontally-positioned portable speakers. With a plastic top handle and a grip pad on top, you can hold it with one hand and carry it with ease. In terms of build quality, these speakers are up there. The speaker is encased in a cloth that is attached to a plastic base. Aside from a play/pause button and a volume button, the top of the loudspeaker has only mediocre controls, including a Partyboost button and a Bluetooth connectivity button. The speaker’s battery life and Bluetooth status may be seen via the LEDs at the bottom. There are no RGB lights included.
The Boombox 2 is available in black or camo and has a sleek, elegant grip and side flares. Boombox 3 has a stunning appearance with a strong metal handle as well as an eye-catching orange silicone grip. The look has also undergone some revisions. With a “eye-catching” orange silicon grip for added comfort, the handle is made of aluminum with a black or “squad colors” design option.
Sound Quality
All day long, the JBL Boombox produces massive sound and bass. According to the manufacturer, it has four different active transducers and 2 JBL bass radiators, resulting in a massive sound with powerful bass. It has two sound modes: an indoor mode that produces a richer sound with a deeper bass, and an outdoor mode that produces a louder bass sound with a longer runtime.
Both of these JBLs provide a huge sound with heavy bass thanks to JBL distinctive Pro Sound. Because this option has been removed, you cannot convert from indoor to outdoor mode.
JBL has produced Boombox 3 with such a new 3 way speaker system comprises of 2 tweeters, tw2 mid-range drivers, and a “powerful racetrack-shaped subwoofer,” as the name implies; Boombox 3 is the second in the series. It has a two-way speaker setup like Boombox 2. Two passive radiators with twin 20mm tweeters plus 2 4-inch woofers are mounted on the ends and under the hood to provide the enormous sound.
Is there anything more we need to tell about these? When we cranked up the volume, they remained distortion-free, which was a big plus for us. No matter what you’re playing, the bass is going to be obvious, but we were surprised by how wonderful it sounded as a background track.
That being said, Boombox 3 didn’t sound all of that different from Boombox 2. In the house, it’s nice, but out in the open, it truly shines.
Battery Life
With a 20,000mAh rechargeable battery, the JBL Boombox 2 boasts a 24-hour battery life. The speaker’s battery life is estimated at 6.5 hours of charging time.
Boombox 3 contains a 72.6 Wh rechargeable Li-ion polymer batteries that can last for 24 hours on a single charge. From zero to full charge takes roughly 6.5 hours of charging.
To keep the party going while charging your phone, both speakers include built-in Power Banks.
Connectivity features
The JBL Boombox supports Bluetooth 5.3 and a multi-pair capability that allows you to connect up to two devices simultaneously. In order to experience the JBL Original Pro sound, you may connect up to two smartphones or tablets to the speaker at the same time.
Bluetooth 5.1 with multi-pairing is included in the JBL Boombox 2. The speaker’s Bluetooth frequency extends from 2.402GHz to 2.480GHz and its transmitter power is less than 10dBm, yet it is compatible with A2DP 1.3 and AVRCP 1.6 profiles.
With the Partyboost function on both JBLs, you can connect several JBL Partyboost compatible speakers together for a more powerful sound. Boombox 3 may be paired with another JBL speaker to produce a stereo effect, or numerous PartyBoost-compatible speakers can be linked together for a more expansive sound system. Both speakers are equipped with 3.5mm AUX and micro USB inputs.
IP Rating
Unlike Boombox 2, Boombox 3 has an IP67 waterproof and dustproof designation, which means the speaker can go almost anywhere with you and withstand a fall into the pool or a lake without issue.
Price and release date
A month after its debut at CES 2020, JBL Boombox 2 is now available for purchase. The Boombox 2 is available for $449.99. It’s also worth noting that the JBL BoomBox 3 will be available in Summer 2022 on JBL.com and at select retailers.
Boombox 2 is more costly than our favorite water-resistant speaker, the UE Wonderboom 2, which costs roughly $69.99, but it has a far higher maximum volume. The bigger, more powerful UE Megaboom 3 costs $200 and may be used with other Ultimate Ears speakers if you wish to divide the difference.
Alternative Products
JBL Charge 5
What we like
- Good bass precision and neutral tone
- Durable design with IP67 rating
- Built-in powerbank allows charge and play
- Wide soundstage
What we dislike
- Bass weakens at increasing volume levels
- Expensive
JBL Flip 5
What we like
- Variety of color options to choose from and fun customization options
- Robust and durable build quality
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Powerful audio
What we dislike
- Only Bluetooth 4.2 compatible
- Does not support Wi-Fi
Bluetooth speakers buying guide
What is the best way to choose which Bluetooth speakers are best for your needs? Before you buy a Bluetooth speaker, here are some factors to keep in mind:
Bluetooth version
Choosing a Bluetooth speaker requires you to know what version of Bluetooth it supports. The quality of the audio transmission and the distance between the phone and the Bluetooth device are determined by this criteria. For optimal audio quality, Bluetooth version 4.0 or above is often recommended.
Battery life and charging
Because of their inherent mobility, Bluetooth speakers must have a long battery life. The easier it is to use the speakers when the battery life is longer. It is advantageous for the user to have a charging port linked to the Bluetooth speaker. Micro-USB connections on certain Bluetooth speakers make it possible to use them with a powerbank to recharge them. Powerbanks may be found in more sophisticated speakers as well.
Audio quality
Bluetooth speakers are pointless if they don’t have decent sound quality. If you’re throwing a party, you’ll need high-quality audio gear. Check out the power specs. The more power a speaker has, the better it performs. It is also critical to consider the frequency response. For a dynamic audio experience, a standard rating of 100 Hertz to 20000 hertz should suffice. Bluetooth devices with lower frequency ratings will provide you with a deeper bass.
Additional features
It’s always a joy to get more features. You should pay attention to aspects such as the waterproof rating when purchasing a product. Due to the fact that Bluetooth speakers are used in a variety of settings, they must be more durable. IP6X water-resistant speakers are available on the market. It’s also a good idea to include features like a microphone, voice commands, and wired connections, since they are very useful.
Verdict
It’s easy to see how similar the Boombox 3 and Boombox 2 are in design. You’ll have a hard time deciding between them since they have more similarities than differences. A superior sound system is found in the JBL Boombox 3, which offers the ability to switch between two different sound systems, while the Boombox 2 still boasts deep bass. It’s better to use them outside than inside. It is possible to activate the Partyboost function on both of the Boombox devices. The Boombox 3 has an IP67 certification, which is higher than the IPX7 rating of the Boombox.
JBL Boombox 2 is less costly than JBL Boombox 3 in terms of pricing, though. According to my opinion, the JBL Boombox2 is a better option since it is less priced and has a better sound.
FAQs
Well, we are almost at the end of the article. and, here we are still trying to solve more of your problems. Let’s find out more!
Is the JBL Boombox 2 louder than the boombox?
How do I increase the bass on my JBL Boombox?
You can disable/enable the Bass boost by holding down the Bluetooth & Vol- buttons for 10s. You can also use apple music settings can adjust bass. In addition, you can get a separate application that gives you control over settings.
Does the JBL boombox have an AUX port?
A 3.5mm aux input, two USB connections (for charging mobile devices with the Boombox’s battery), and a micro USB connector for software updates are all included on the panel.

Freelance tech journalist & author of soundboxlab.com …Read More