The JBL Boombox 2 is a mid-range Bluetooth party speaker released in 2020, promising loud music and deep bass for partygoers. This device has an outstanding 334.6-foot Bluetooth range and supports dual-device Bluetooth 5.1 pairing, ranking well when compared to the top-rated speakers on the market today. This unit features a waterproof IPX7-rated design suitable for outdoor use, and it gets really loud. Read to the end of this JBL Boombox 2 review and see how it compares to the highest-rated Bluetooth speakers today.
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JBL Boombox 2 Review
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Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM
Published
True Score
True Score is an AI-powered algorithm of product tests and customer reviews.
80
Absolutely Fresh
79
4
Experts
90
5,990
Consumers
Expert Rankings
(
4
)
Analysts hailed the JBL Boombox 2, endorsing it for parties, music, and outdoor use. They were delighted by its waterproof construction, loud music, and outstanding battery life. Testers also loved its balanced sound profile. However, they were disappointed by its poor directivity and lack of voice assistants.
$399.95
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Product Snapshot
Overview
The JBL Boombox 2 is a mid-range Bluetooth party speaker released in 2020, promising loud music and deep bass for partygoers. This device has an outstanding 334.6-foot Bluetooth range and supports dual-device Bluetooth 5.1 pairing, ranking well when compared to the top-rated speakers on the market today. This unit features a waterproof IPX7-rated design suitable for outdoor use, and it gets really loud. Read to the end of this JBL Boombox 2 review and see how it compares to the highest-rated Bluetooth speakers today.
Consensus
our Verdict
Top critics adored the JBL Boombox 2, endorsing it for music, parties, and the outdoors. Editors at TechRadar loved its IPX7-rated waterproof construction. However, if you need a better IP67 dustproof and waterproof speaker, see our JBL Charge 5 review. Researchers at PCMag lauded its Bluetooth 5.1 tech, although it has a high 146 ms iOS Bluetooth latency and 121 ms Android latency. Editors loved its decent bass, which will appeal to music and movie buffs. However, the 13.0-lbs was deemed high during testing, and it lacks speakerphone functions and RGB lighting. See our ION Pathfinder 280 review for RGB lighting. Testing revealed a 49.0Hz to 19.1kHZ frequency response range and a near-neutral well-balanced -0.20 profile slope. It has an EQ and supports stereo. The JBL Boombox 2 has a high 5.25 dB directivity index, offering a disappointingly narrow soundstage. Testers clocked its maximum volume SPL at a very good 96.5 dB, but its 3.01 dB DRC showed some sound deterioration at the highest volume. It has impressive 23.9-hour battery life. However, if you require an even better runtime, see our Monster Rockin’ Roller 270X review. But it doesn’t support voice assistants.
ReasonS to Buy
- Supports stereo
- Impressive 23.9-hour battery life
- The device gets really loud
- Decent bass
- Dual-device Bluetooth pairing
Reason to Avoid
- Doesn’t support any voice assistant
- Disappointing soundstage
- Chunky construction
- Lacks speakerphone functions
- Mediocre Bluetooth latency
JBL Boombox 2 Specs
 | Battery Life | 24 hrs |
 | Built In Microphone | Yes |
 | Charge Time | 6.5 hrs |
 | Size | 19.1" (w) x 7.9" (h) x 10.1" (d) |
 | Smart App | Yes |
 | Speaker Pairing | Yes |
 | Water Resistant | Yes |
 | Wattage | 4 x 40W |
 | Wireless Range | n/a |
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Speakers based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
| Battery Life (Hours) | 23.9 |
| Volume Output (dB) | 96.5 |
| Low End Roll Off (Hz) | 61.688 |
| High End Roll Off (Hz) | 6,736.397 |
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Product Comparison
 JBL Boombox 2 Review | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
True Score | 80 | 82 | 84 | 79 |
Ranking | # 58 / 109 | # 39 / 109 | # 13 / 109 | # 60 / 109 |
Market Context |
The JBL Boombox 2 is a mid-range Bluetooth party speaker released in 2020, promising loud music and deep bass for partygoers. This device has an… |
The JBL Boombox 2 has a 96.5 dB maximum SPL, getting louder than the JBL Xtreme 3 with its 91.0 dB maximum SPL. Also, the… The JBL Boombox 2 has a 96.5 dB maximum SPL, getting louder than the JBL Xtreme 3 with its 91.0 dB maximum SPL. Also, the Boombox 2 has a much better 23.9-hour battery life than the 12.7-hour runtime of the Xtreme 3 speaker. Check out the best JBL speakers today. |
Designed for large parties, the JBL PartyBox 110 features a higher 98.3 dB maximum SPL and 2.92 dB DRC at the maximum volume, getting louder… Designed for large parties, the JBL PartyBox 110 features a higher 98.3 dB maximum SPL and 2.92 dB DRC at the maximum volume, getting louder and maintaining the music quality better than the JBL Boombox 2, which has a 96.5 dB SPL and 3.01 dB DRC. The PartyBox 110 has RGB lighting, mic, and guitar inputs, and DJ effects, unlike the JBL Boombox 2. |
The JBL Boombox 2 has a more neutral -0.20 frequency response slope, producing more balanced music than the Sony SRS-XG500, which has a -1.66 slope…. The JBL Boombox 2 has a more neutral -0.20 frequency response slope, producing more balanced music than the Sony SRS-XG500, which has a -1.66 slope. However, the Sony speaker has a mic+guitar input and features customizable RGB lights, unlike the JBL Boombox 2 speaker. Explore the best surround sound systems in our detailed review. |
Battery Life | 24 hrs | 15 hrs | 12 hrs | 30 hrs |
Built In Microphone | Yes | n/a | No | Yes |
Charge Time | 6.5 hrs | 2.5 hrs | 3.5 hrs | 3 hrs |
Size | 19.1" (w) x 7.9" (h) x 10.1" (d) | 11.8" (w) x 5.3" (d) x 5.4" (h) | – | – |
Smart App | Yes | Yes | JBL PartyBox | Yes |
Speaker Pairing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Water Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Wattage | 4 x 40W | 50W | 160W | 30W |
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Score Card
E
Expert Score
79
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
90
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
80
Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh
Expert Scores
Publications with higher Trust Ratings are given more weight.
100.6Category Trust Rating
73The JBL Boombox 2 is a beautifully engineered beast of a Bluetooth speaker. The bass… Read MoreBy:
Andy White
43.6Category Trust Rating
80The JBL Boombox 2 is decent for music. Although it lacks a bit of low-bass,… Read MoreBy:
Ted Kritsonis
43Category Trust Rating
80JBL doesn’t reinvent all that much with this newer iteration of the Boombox, though did… Read MoreBy:
John Panoryios
19.7Category Trust Rating
80JBL’s Boombox 2 speaker is built for backyard parties, tailgates, and anywhere else you want… Read MoreBy:
Tim Gideon
Customer Scores
- 94
(
4.7/5
)
5716Ratings
- NR
(
NR/5
)
Ratings
- 90
(
4.5/5
)
274Ratings
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