One of the speaker lineups that made JBL so famous is the JBL Boombox speaker series. This iconic Boombox from JBL made a reputation thanks to its big size while being easy to carry.
The JBL Boombox 2 was released last April of 2020. Is it still worth considering in 2022? The short answer is yes, mainly because the JBL Boombox 3 was released last January 2022. But the JBL Boombox 2 is undoubtedly still a great-sounding speaker with impressive features.
To make the right purchase decision, here is everything you need to know about the JBL Boombox 2.
Table of Contents
JBL Boombox 2 Overview
| Pros of the JBL Boombox 2 | Cons of the JBL Boombox 2 |
|---|---|
| Easy to Carry | Only 2 Color Options |
| 40W RMS | Heavier than its Predecessor |
| Bluetooth 5.1 | Micro USB Charging |
| IPX7-rated | |
| Louder when Plugged in with its Charger | |
| Impressive Sound Balance | |
| More Emphasized Mids and Highs | |
| Has JBL PartyBoost |
View JBL Boombox 2 Price on:
The JBL Boombox 2 is still worth considering in 2022 because of its excellent sound quality. This speaker will continue to impress first-time listeners for many years because the sound of this beast is way better than its competitors.
Price
Since the JBL Boombox 2 is a big speaker, it has an expensive price tag. However, the features and sound make up for it.
The JBL Boombox 2 retails for $499, which is the same price as the new JBL Boombox 3, but since the JBL Boombox 3 is not widely available yet, the cost of the JBL Boombox 2 remains the same. You can expect it to decrease once the JBL Boombox 3 is available worldwide.
If you consider getting either of these speakers, I suggest that you wait for a sale day or sale event to get a discount on top of your purchase. Luckily, JBL routinely goes on sale, so you don’t have to worry about waiting long.
Design
When it comes to design, the JBL BoomBox 2 has a few changes to its appearance.
In terms of color options, the JBL Boombox 2 only has two colors which are black and camouflage.
At first glance, you will notice that the JBL Boombox 2 now has a single LED battery life indicator instead of the 5 LED circle lights used by the JBL Boombox 1 to indicate its battery life.
The passive radiators no longer have the JBL logo on them but instead has the JBL iconic exclamation mark on them.
Another feature added to the JBL Boombox 2’s design is the rubber inserters added to the speaker’s handle to give its users a better grip.
Lastly, the power button and Bluetooth button on the JBL Boombox 2 are now given a white ring to highlight them, just like the power button and Bluetooth button of the JBL Charge 4.
Nonetheless, the JBL Boombox 2 is just as durable as the JBL Boombox 1 because it still has the same strong, durable body covered in fabric. This speaker can withstand constant abuse such as rough handling, accidental drops, bumps, scratches, etc.
When it comes to dimensions, the JBL Boombox 2 has a width of 19 inches, a height of 7.9 inches, and a diameter of 10.1 inches, so it is no doubt that this is a big speaker indeed.
Overall, the JBL Boombox 2 is slightly larger than the JBL Boombox 1. However, the JBL Boombox 2 is a little heavier, weighing 13 lbs, whereas the JBL Boombox 1 weighs 11.5 lbs. Although there is a small difference between their weights, it is noticeable.
Speaker Buttons
The JBL Boombox 2 has six buttons on top, which are the following:
- JBL PartyBoost Button
- Power Button
- Bluetooth Button
- Pause and Play Button
- Volume Up Button
- Volume Down Button
At the back of the JBL Boombox 2, you will find an AC port, Micro USB port, USB A port, and a 3.5 mm auxiliary jack.
JBL PartyBoost Button
The JBL PartyBoost Button allows you to connect with other JBL PartyBoost speakers with just one press of this button. You also do the same process to the other speaker(s) you will pair it with.
Below are the following JBL speakers that have JBL PartyBoost:
- JBL Boombox 2
- JBL Xtreme 3
- JBL Charge 5
- JBL Flip 6
- JBL Flip 5
Battery
Both the JBL Boombox 1 and JBL Boombox 2 have the same battery advertised battery life of 24 hours which means there is no upgrade to its battery whatsoever.
However, 24 hours of playtime with the JBL Boombox 1 and JBL Boombox 2 are only achievable if the speaker is played at 50% volume or lower.
For loud use cases at 80% volume, both speakers can play 8-10 hours of music. Nonetheless, the JBL Boombox 2 is fully capable of lasting throughout the day, which matters most.
When it comes to charging, the JBL Boombox 2 is capable of Micro USB charging, which is an upgrade since the JBL Boombox 1 is only charged via an AC port.
However, it would have been better if the JBL Boombox 2 used USB C right away since it was released in 2020, wherein USB C charging is more utilized than Micro USB.
The JBL Boombox 2 takes 6.5 hours to charge, which is a little slow but understandable since it has a 10,000 mAh battery capacity, which takes a longer time to charge.
Bluetooth Version
Another upgrade that the JBL Boombox 2 was given was its Bluetooth version. The JBL Boombox 2 now has Bluetooth 5.1, which means it has a better overall range and connection than the Bluetooth 4.2 of the JBL Boombox 1.
The JBL Boombox 2 is also capable of getting connected by two devices simultaneously, which means you and your friend can take turns playing music.
It is also worth noting that the JBL Boombox 2 still has an audio jack which is commendable since most JBL speakers no longer have audio jacks.
Even though the JBL Boombox 2 is a big speaker, it only supports SBC, just an intermediate codec.
Waterproof Rating
The JBL Boombox 2 has an IPX7 rating which means it will have no problems if it gets splashed by water.
In addition to that, this speaker floats, so you won’t have to worry about it if it accidentally gets dropped into a pool.
Speaking of sinking, the JBL Boombox 2 can be submerged into waters of 1-meter depth for 30 minutes, thanks to its IPX7 rating.
Speaker Specifications
The JBL Boombox 2 still has the same speaker setup: two dual frontward-firing transducer speakers, two dual frontward-firing tweeters, and two passive radiators.
The dual transducer speakers are 4 inches, and the dual tweeters are 0.8 inches. The JBL Boombox 2 has an output power of 80W RMS, 20 watts more than the JBL Boombox 1.
If you plug it into its charger, the JBL Boombox 2 will be upgraded to 80W RMS. If not plugged, the speaker will be 60W RMS.
Sound
When it comes to sound, the JBL Boombox 2 has a much louder volume and punchier bass than the JBL Boombox 1 because of their difference in output power.
To get more volume and bass from the JBL Boombox 2, all you need to do is plug it into its charger while it is playing music. This gives the speaker a power bump to be louder with more bass.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the JBL Boombox 2 continues to be one of the best big speakers on the market today. It has an amazing sound with more power compared to its predecessor.
Despite the inconvenience of using Micro USB charging for the JBL Boombox 2 in 2022, this speaker is still an excellent choice because of its high-quality sound, updated features, and durable build.
Keep in mind that the new JBL Boombox 3 is yet to be widely available, and it has the same price as the JBL Boombox 2 as of now.
If you want a better speaker, I suggest you go for the JBL Boombox 3, but if you prefer a cheaper option, then the JBL Boombox 2 will be best for you since its price will decrease as soon as the JBL Boombox 3 is available worldwide.
View JBL Boombox 2 Price on:
The JBL Boombox 2 is still worth considering in 2022 because of its excellent sound quality. This speaker will continue to impress first-time listeners for many years because the sound of this beast is way better than its competitors.
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Jbl boom box 2 is a good speaker am in love with I really recommend people to go for it but on the other here in uganda we don’t have it’s application otherwise it’s excellent