JBL Boombox Overview
The JBL Boombox has an undeniable impact on music. In the 1980s and 1990s, portable sound systems gave rise to subcultures (think breakdancing and hip hop). Today, JBL has carried its predilection for splash-proof and portable Bluetooth audio into a bygone period with the opulent Boombox.
We’ve been cranking up the volume on this for weeks and have been blown away by how loud it can get and how clear it sounds when it does. Furthermore, its extravagant facade looks beautiful and can withstand some punishment.
While it lacks other features such as a built-in voice assistant and is relatively costly at $449 (£399, AU$549), JBL’s Boombox expertly marries the aesthetics of a bygone age with sound quality that modern music aficionados will appreciate.
JBL Boombox Pros and Cons
Pros
- The bass is thunderous.
- Waterproofing to IPX7
- Charges USB devices
Cons
- Expensive
- At this price, the sound quality is average.
- Heavy
What you need to know about the JBL Boombox
The JBL Boombox isn’t cheap at $530.25, but there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. It’s a strong speaker with IPX7 waterproofing that can be linked to up to 100 other JBL Connect+ enabled speakers, a 20,000mAh battery that gives an astounding runtime of up to 24 hours, and it can charge two smartphones concurrently due to a pair of USB Type-A connections on the back.
Price and competition for the JBL Boombox
Think again if you thought a modern-day boombox would be inexpensive. The JBL Boombox costs $530.25, which is a hefty sum for a Bluetooth speaker. You can get the fantastic Dali Katch for $430.83, the indoor multi-room Orbitsound Dock E30, and the quite unique-looking Studio19 Solo E500X-EQ for $530.25 for around that price. None of these Bluetooth speakers are waterproof, so the £250 Ultimate Ears Megablast comes into play.
The UE Megablast isn’t as loud as the JBL and doesn’t have the same physical presence, but it does support Amazon Alexa, which the Boombox doesn’t.
JBL Boombox: Construction, features, and design
The JBL Boombox, unlike the “ghetto blasters” of yesteryear, is not covered in knobs and ostentatious grilles; its name may be designed with a small nod to the past, but its roughly cylindrical shape, circular side-mounted passive drivers, and tough nylon fabric coverings contribute to an altogether more modern appearance.
However, if you want to flaunt your LL Cool J stuff, you’ll need a pretty powerful pair of shoulders. It’s not a little device to carry about, measuring 254.5 x 495 x 195.5mm and weighing a heavy 5.25kg.
On the plus side, JBL has kindly added a rubber pad under the speaker to prevent it from digging into your shoulder, which should prevent it from digging in too much. It’s also fully waterproof to the IPX7 standard, which means it can survive being submerged for up to 30 minutes at depths of up to 1m.
The bulky, curving handle at the top of the speaker, on the other hand, is mostly there to make it simpler to transport from place to place, and it’s really good at it. Under the handle are a set of forward-facing physical media buttons as well as a Connect+ button that allows you to pair the Boombox with up to 100 (yes, you read that correctly – 100) other JBL Connect+ enabled speakers.
Meanwhile, two USB Type-A charging connections, a 3.5mm auxiliary input, a micro USB input (for firmware upgrades and the like), and a DC coaxial charging port are located at the back under a rubber cover. These are located adjacent to an EQ switch, which is used to switch between the speaker’s indoor and outdoor settings, the latter of which adds extra bass.
The Boombox’s biggest selling point, though, is its massive 20,000mAh battery. This provides up to 24 hours of battery life and is so large that you won’t mind using it to charge your phone or tablet.
Wireless communication is fully provided by Bluetooth. Because there is no Google Cast, Spotify Connect, or Apple AirPlay functionality, the range is limited. That’s not a problem in and of itself, and the range is decent at roughly 20 meters outdoors, but as with other similar speakers, you’ll need to keep connected gadgets in the same room if you don’t want the signal to cut out.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Boombox lacks compatibility for the aptX codec, which reduces sound clarity slightly.
Sound Quality of the JBL Boombox
As previously stated, the speaker features two sound modes: one for inside use and one for outdoor use. The outdoor mode amplifies the low-frequency portion of the audio spectrum, producing mind-boggling levels of mid-bass.
The overall sound quality, on the other hand, is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one side, it has a fantastic bass response, from the sub-bass rumbling to the mid-bass slam. Unlike the bass response of other Bluetooth speakers I’ve tested, the JBL’s is a raw, physical thump you can feel in your chest, especially when you crank it up. And the overall output of the speaker is really loud. It’s ideal for small to medium-sized outdoor events.
However, the tremendous volume of bass produced by this device has a negative impact. Because the mids are recessed and pushed back, vocals are less vibrant and get somewhat lost. However, the highs are also a little muted, which means the treble lacks zip and detail.
Because the JBL only has forward-firing drivers, it does not provide a 360-degree sound like the UE Megablast. Even yet, the overall soundstage is underwhelming: despite the sideways-firing woofers, it’s small and somewhat confining. Instrument separation is also lacking, with more difficult music sounding confused and mixed up. Competitors such as the UE Megablast and the Dali Katch are significantly more precise and provide far more accurate audio.
JBL Boombox: The Final Word
The JBL Boombox is far from the perfect Bluetooth speaker, but it will suffice for many. It can fill a large room with party-scale noise and can also thump out the tunes outside. With the ability to swiftly and easily connect other JBL speakers, full waterproofing, and pounding bass, the Boombox could be the only speaker they’ll ever need.
However, it does not sound as accurate as competitors, lacks 360-degree sound, does not support aptX, and is somewhat pricey. Furthermore, if you don’t want the volume of the Boombox, there are many better-sounding alternatives. The Ultimate Ears Megablast is an all-weatherproof speaker worth considering. The Dali Katch is a sleek, remarkably accurate-sounding Bluetooth speaker. I’d choose the Orbitsound Dock E30 or Studio19 Solo E500X-EQ over the JBL for the home.