Do you want a speaker that you can take outdoors without worrying about the weather or battery life? If yes, then you must look in this article for a detailed comparison between Sonos Move vs JBL Boombox.
A portable speaker usually runs on battery, it is light-weight and has a weatherproof rating. The audio quality will not be for audiophiles but these small yet powerful speakers shouldn’t be underestimated. Both these speakers deliver a good amount of bass and can get very loud, making them ideal for outdoor.
Although both these speakers are quite expensive, their durability and unique features compensate for the price. This article will make a vivid illustration between Sonos Move vs JBL Boombox with unbiased features revealing its good and bad sides so that you can make a decision for yourself.
Quick verdict of Sonos Move vs JBL Boombox :
Don’t have time to read the whole article? Well, you should go for Sonos Move for general indoor and rare outdoor use. The Sonos Move has voice assistants, 6-hour battery life, and is splash-proof. It also allows streaming from Spotify, Deezer, etc. And both consider as the best Bluetooth speaker and best waterproof speaker.
Opt for JBL Boombox if you are a traveler, adventurer, or loves partying. The Boombox has a sturdy design that can withstand water or rain; it has 24-hour battery life and an easy-to-carry handle. You can easily control it with a mobile app and it delivers excellent audio with good bass. Try to know How to connect multiple Bluetooth speakers- easy guideline and recommendation, if you have Bluetooth speakers.
Sonos Move vs JBL Boombox: The Differences
Performance
| Sonos Move | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Auto Trueplay | Yes | No |
| Amplifier | 2 class D | Not specified |
| Drivers | 1 x Tweeter 1 x 3.5” Mid-Woofer | 2 x 4" Woofers 2 x 0.8" Tweeters |
| Passive radiator | Not specified | 2 |
| Frequency response | Not specified | 50 Hz to 20 kHz |
| SNR | Not specified | 80dB |
The performance of a speaker is the first and the main feature we should look for while choosing one. It depends on a wide number of factors including drivers, frequency response, and others.
Drivers and amplifiers
The tweeters and 4” woofers in JBL Boombox are responsible for wide soundstage and tighter bass for indoors and broader stage outdoors. The music is balanced while the mid and high are crisp.
Compared to Move, it has 2 passive radiators that are responsible for adding the extra oomph and causes the small portable speakers to sound bigger. The 4 transducers and 2 passive radiators deliver an audio output of 60W (40W with battery).
In Sonos Move, the down-firing tweeter delivers crisp and clear audio with a high-frequency response. It produces custom molded plastic waveguide that generates audio into multiple directions and creates a wide soundstage that spreads throughout a broader area. The mid-woofer delivers a decent bass sufficient for indoors. Sonos Arc is a great soundbar of Sonos with better drivers.
The 2 class-D amplifier powers the tweeter and woofer and incorporates to high efficiency with less heat dissipation. It includes software customization so that the speaker gets louder when played outdoors. Both models use DSP to thin out the bass.
Frequency response
The frequency response of the Sonos Move is not specified in the user manual. However, music-enthusiasts and reviewers tested it themselves. The following graphs help us to determine the bass, mid, and treble of the Move.
The graph shows it has a bump in the lower end that makes punchier bass while playing outdoors and in high frequencies, they were de-emphasized which means the music is not harsh. It can reach as low as 40Hz. The big ups and downs in treble could be a result of reflection in a waveguide.
The frequency response of Boombox is 50Hz to 20 kHz. It can get as low as 50Hz and the woofer can effectively increase the bass sufficient both for indoors and outdoors.
Design and material
The Sonos Move has a sleek and simple look that is somewhat superior to the JBL Boombox.
Sonos Move- best Bluetooth speaker
The Move has a plastic casing and rubbery base with a metal grille. It weighs around 3kg and the back of the speaker is curved that gives a good grip. The top of the panel has touch controls like volume up/down, play/pause. The IP56 rating means it is resistant to dust; snow and splash of water so while using it outdoors you can’t immerse it in water or leave it in rain. JBL PartyBox 300 and Sony GTK-XB90 are two of the best Bluetooth speakers with great designs.
JBL Boombox- best waterproof speaker
This speaker has a Boombox shape where the cylindrical shape is wrapped with plastic. Between JBL Boombox vs Sonos Move, the Boombox weighs more, around 5.2 kg but the sturdy handle makes it convenient to carry.
Unlike Move, the Boombox has an IPX7 rating that means it is waterproof and you can take it on the beach or leave it in rain. The top of the front side has Bluetooth, JBL Connect +, power, volume+/- and play/pause buttons.
Winner: Sonos Move
Streaming services
The Sonos Move can be connected with more Streaming services than JBL Boombox
Sonos Move
The Sonos Move can be connected to other devices via Bluetooth. It also supports Wi-Fi so that you can stream audio from your favorite streaming service like Spotify, Apple music, Soundcloud, Apple AirPlay 2, etc. Sonos has always been better with features and streaming services.
JBL Boombox
JBL Boombox supports Bluetooth and you can use it to play audio from your phone or tab but you can’t stream music online.
Winner: Sonos Move
Compatibility
This JBL Boombox speaker doesn’t support voice assistant technology, while the Sonos Move’s voice assistant functionalities are amazing.
Sonos Move
Sonos Move is known as the Smart Bluetooth speaker. It supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. You can also pair Sonos Move with another Move if you have a party with friends but it can’t be paired with a sub.
JBL Boombox
The Boombox doesn’t support any voice assistant but you can access Siri or Google Assistant if you are connected to a mobile. It has JBL Connect+ that allows you to connect it with 100 Boombox speakers.
Winner: Sonos Move
Battery life and charging time
When comparing the battery life of the JBL Boombox and the Sonos Move, the JBL Boombox outperforms the Sonos Move.
Sonos Move
Comparing JBL Boombox vs Sonos Move, it is seen that the Move has a battery life of only 10 or 11 hours upon charging for 3.5 hours. The lifespan will vary based on how loud you play it.
JBL Boombox
JBL Boombox wins in terms of battery life over Move. It can play up to 24 hours upon a single charge of 6 hours. It has Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo) with a capacity of 20000mAh.
| Sonos Move | JBL Boombox | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Lithium-ion/2500mAh | Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo)/ 20000mAh |
| Battery life | 11 hours | 24 hours |
| Charging time | 3hours | 6.5hours |
| AC input power | 100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz at 1.2 A | Not specified |
| IP Rating | IP56 | IPX7 |
| Weight | 2.9kg | 5.2kg |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
JBL Charge 5 and JBL Charge 4 Bluetooth speakers are, similarly, have better bttery life and charging time.
Winner: JBL Boombox
Compared to other Products
Sonos One
The Sonos One has proved to be a smart home leader. It has better sound and the same smart home features as the Move, but it costs half as much. The Sonos One is always the sensible option if you’re going to get into Sonos for the first time. It will get you started and is modular enough that you can quickly expand on it. But if you’re a party animal who prefers roaring sound in the open air, the Move is a new favorite of ours that won’t let you down.
JBL Xtreme 2
The JBL Xtreme 2 is without a doubt the best-sounding wireless speaker JBL has ever made. The JBL Boombox outperforms the JBL Xtreme 2 in terms of sound quality. The Boombox will even go louder than the Xtreme, and its treble range is less veiled and bland. About the fact that both speakers have a long battery life, the Boombox will go for almost 24 hours on a single charge. Xtreme 2 is, however, less expensive than Boombox.
Why should you choose Sonos Move over JBL Boombox?
- You should be looking into the Sonos Move if you have a high budget.
- You want a Smart and portable speaker that runs on your voice command.
- A portable speaker that is ideal for occasional outdoor travels like in the backyard, patio, or to a friend’s house.
- The speaker supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for streaming.
- Doesn’t compromise audio quality so matter inside or outside
Pros
- Sturdy and durable, it is dust and shockproof
- The IP56 rating means it can withstand snow, humidity, and water splashes
- Undistorted audio at high volume
- Uniform audio distribution via Truplay.
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant
- Sounds detailed with bass both indoors and outdoors.
Cons
- Costly
- It is heavy so it can’t be taken on hikes, beach or for a long time
- Only 10-hour battery life
Expert Review:
Why should you choose JBL Boombox over Sonos Move?
- A compact speaker with solid bass and informative audio is what you’re looking for.
- You want to take it to the beach or the river.
- You want to use it outside for a long time.
- If you want to listen to music at high levels without distortion.
- A durable and long-lasting speaker resistant to dust, bumps, and water.
- The speaker should only stream with Bluetooth instead of online
- You don’t want a speaker with voice assistant compatibility
Pros
- Powerful bass with excellent audio quality
- Bass more than enough for indoors and ideal for outdoors
- Water-resistant and light-weight with handle
- Ideal for hikes, beaches, or pool parties
- Audio can get very loud without distortion
- The extra-long battery life of 24 hours
Cons
- No EQ to adjust treble and bass
- At 20% charge, there is a buzzing sound
- You can’t skip to the previous song
Expert Review:
Take a peak at this JBL Flip 5 also, which is a very affordable Bluetooth speaker.
Final verdict: Sonos Move vs. JBL Boombox: which is better?
If you have read this article, then you have a clear understanding and can choose wisely. Sonos Move vs. JBL Boombox: which is better? Well, if you ask me I would say, go for Sonos Move if you want a sturdy speaker with clear and richly-detailed audio.
You can use it indoors mainly and sometimes outside in the garden or a get-together. It is not the best speaker at high volume but at 70% volume which we generally listen to, it’s perfectly fine without distortion. It is packed with Trueplay, down-firing tweeter, and software customization all designed to ensure you get a compact piece at this high price rate.
JBL Boombox is more outdoors than indoors. Although it is quite heavy the handle makes it suitable to carry. The bass is unquestionable and you will find appreciable bass even outdoors. The audio is rich and balanced and it is water-resistant. Here are more JBL Bluetooth Speakers to look at.
It will eventually depend on your taste and requirements on which one you like but these two models are undoubtedly the best portable speakers one could have despite the upscale price.
FAQ
Maybe you are surrounded by some problems and those problems lead to some questions. say your worries goodbye, as this FAQ is going to solve the most asked question all over the internet.
Can I connect a subwoofer with Sonos Move?
Since Sonos Move is a portable speaker, it is not designed to be attached to a sub. But if you have a home theater of 5.1, then you can include it in the system.
Sonos Move produces a good amount of bass without the subwoofer. You can easily use it inside home or outside and be happy with it as long as you don’t crave for room-shaking bass.
How does Truplay work in Sonos Move?
the auto-calibration of the Trueplay works with the 4 far-field microphones. When the Move is connected to Wi-Fi it will scan your surroundings every 30s and adjust audio according to your surroundings.
How many devices can I connect to JBL Boombox?
the JBL Boombox can connect 3 smart devices. You can pair both Android and iPhone via Bluetooth. You can also use the AUX port to connect a smart device.
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