Summary – JBL Boombox vs Boombox 2
The JBL Boombox 2 and JBL Boombox are actually pretty similar speakers in terms of size, weight and specifications, although there is one key difference – the JBL Boombox 2 is louder and more powerful. The Boombox 2 has a combined total output power of 80 watts RMS (in AC mode) and 60 watts RMS (in battery mode), while the JBL Boombox only has a total power output of 60 watts RMS (in AC mode) and 40 watts RMS (in battery mode). In terms of bass performance, both speakers have dual passive bass radiators that pump out a lot of bass and are roughly equal with each other.
If you are looking for the loudest Bluetooth speakers comparable with the JBL Boombox 2, be sure to read our comparative article here.
Design & Specifications Compared
Both the JBL Boombox 2 and JBL Boombox come with a 10,000 mAh battery that delivers a staggering 24 hours of continuous music playtime. We also liked the fact that the speaker comes with an IPX7 waterproof design that is completely waterproof and can withstand splashes of water.
Furthermore, the JBL Boombox 2 supports PartyBoost features where you can connect two Boombox 2 speakers together for a much louder sound performance, while the JBL Boombox has the JBL Connect+ app where it also supports dual pairing.
Sound Performance Compared
How does the JBL Boombox 2 stack up in terms of sound performance? The JBL Boombox 2 is one of the loudest Bluetooth speakers we have ever tested – it goes very loud and is great for outdoor parties and gatherings where you need to blast music outdoors. At 50% volume, the Boombox 2 can fill up a large room with loud and rich sound performance. The highs and midranges on the Boombox 2 are crisp and very clear, and the level of mid-bass that these speakers can produce is surprisingly deep with plenty of depth. Compared with the JBL Boombox, it’s easy to see that the Boombox 2 is clearly the louder speaker here.
In terms of bass output, the JBL Boombox 2 is roughly on the same level as the JBL Boombox. Both Bluetooth speakers produce low-end bass with depth and punch, and there’s plenty of punch while playing EDM and rock music performances. Both speakers also have the same frequency range from 50 Hz to 20 kHz.
Bluetooth Codecs
One thing that we noted about the Boombox 2 is that it uses the latest Bluetooth 5.1 codec for high-quality music streaming, and supports A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth streaming profiles. That being said, it doesn’t support Bluetooth aptX which we would have liked to see – and is arguably the only disadvantage about the Boombox 2 speaker.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, both the JBL Boombox 2 and the JBL Boombox have the same battery level with the built-in power-bank (10,000 mAH) with 24 hours of playtime. Both speaker are also IPX7 waterproof resistant and they come with a handle at the top for easy portability. The JBL Boombox 2 weighs 13.01 lbs while the JBL Boombox weighs 11.46 lbs, making the Boombox 2 a slightly heavier speaker.
The Verdict?
Compared side by side, the JBL Boombox 2 and the JBL Boombox have more similarities than differences. Both speakers have the same design, same bass output, same battery life and waterproof resistance, and in fact – a similar sound signature. That being said, the only real difference between the JBL Boombox 2 and the Boombox is the fact that the Boombox 2 has 20 watts more power than the Boombox.
In our view, the JBL Boombox 2 delivers more value for money because it is around 30% louder than the JBL Boombox, and this is great for outdoor parties and gatherings. For this added cost, this would justify the louder sound performance that you get with the JBL Boombox 2 – although the JBL Boombox isn’t a bad choice considering that you get all the specifications and features that you’d expect from JBL.