Of the various brands that produce speakers, Bose portable smart speaker and JBL Boombox 2 speaker stand out due to their features. Although these brands are different, they are both powerful brands that are majorly known for their production of speakers with excellent audio output. They both have exceptional features that make them distinct.
In this article, I will be discussing both brands of speakers side by side to allow prospective buyers to decide which one is best for them based on their preferences.
Design
Bose portable smart speaker
The Bose portable smart speaker has a cylindrical shaped design, and a weight of 1kg, with a strong carrying handle that makes it portable and easy to carry around. The available colour options are triple back and luxe silver.
The top body of this speaker has a flat rubber surface with a base wrapped in an aluminium grille, giving it a solid look. It also has an IPX4 rating that protects it from splash and rain.
JBL boombox 2 Bluetooth speaker
The JBL boombox 2 speaker body is wrapped with a tight fabric and a plastic base below. It comes in black and camouflage colour options. Although this 13-pound speaker is bulky, it has a grip plastic handle on top to provide support when carried. It has an IPX7 rating that makes it work fine even when submerged in water.
Build quality
Bose portable smart speaker
The Bose portable smart speaker has a satisfactory build quality. It has a firm aluminium body and grille with a rubber surface which offers a stable and durable experience. It is not just a featherlight but has a handle that makes it even more fashionable. The IPX 4 rating present protects it from splashes, thereby increasing its durability.
JBL boombox 2 Bluetooth speaker
The JBL boombox 2 has a solid feel, with its body wrapped in firm fabric and a small plastic base. It comes with a large plastic handle that has a gripping hand, which gives a solid feel when carrying. This speaker is protected from splash by its IPX7 rating for water resistance. The buttons of the speaker are also easy to find.
Features
Both speakers have features peculiar to them. The features that each speaker comes packed with make them distinct. Some of the features of both speakers are listed below:
Bose portable smart speaker
- Weighing 1kg, the Bose portable smart speaker is portable; it also comes with a carrying handle that makes it easy to carry around.
- It provides an immersive listening experience with its 360-degree sound audio direction that distributes sound evenly to all corners of the room at the same time.
- It supports two voice assistant speakers, which are Alexa and Google voice assistant.
- It offers up to twelve hours of playtime, alongside a power-saving feature that can increase the battery life.
- It supports Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity.
- It enables fast access to the latest music and allows you to play on your term with the Bose music app.
- It has an IPX4 rating water resistance present
JBL boombox 2
- The JBL boombox 2 allows you to pair wirelessly to the speaker up to two smartphones and tablets.
- Its 1000maH built-in rechargeable battery offers 24 hours of playtime when fully charged.
- It comes with a built-in power bank and a USB Type-A port that charges your mobile device.
- It comes with a grip handle that offers portability
- IPX7 water resistance
- It comes with a JBL party boost feature that allows you to connect to two JBL party boost compatible speakers.
- It comes with active transducers, tweeters and woofers, clear sound and enormous bass.
Durability
Bose portable smart speaker
This speaker by Bose is built sturdily and has an IPX4 rating that protects it from splashes and drizzles. When maintained properly, this speaker can last for a long time.
JBL boombox 2
The JBL boombox speaker has the capacity to last for a long time, thanks to its IPX7 rating that protects it from splash and light rain and even submersion in water. However, full immersion in the depth of water should be avoided to prevent damage.
Sound Quality
Bose portable smart speaker
The Bose portable smart speaker produces incredible sound. It comes with a 360-degree sound design that allows audio distribution in every direction. It comes with an outstanding soundstage, balanced mid and clear sound.
JBL boombox 2
The JBL boombox 2 has a powerful monstrous bass and a JBL original pro sound. It comes with a frequency response of 50Hz-20kHz with 2 x 10.6cm mid/bass drivers 2 x 2cm tweeters that provide rich and sound output.
Battery Life
Bose portable smart speaker
On a single full charge, the Bose portable smart speaker can last for up to 12 hours. If the speaker’s volume is on a high level, the battery decreases faster, and as such, it is better to play at a low level to make the battery last longer.
JBL boombox 2
JBL boombox 2 speaker provides up to 24 hours of playtime when fully charged. It is important to note that the battery life depends on usage frequency.
Controls
Bose portable smart speaker
The Bose portable smart speaker buttons include the power button, volume adjustment buttons, and a play/pause button to skip a track by pressing twice or pressing three times to go back to the previous track. All these buttons are located on top of the speaker. It has a voice action button and a mute mic button to stop it from listening to you.
You can press the play/pause button and Bluetooth button at the same time for 5 seconds to deactivate the WiFi connection. Press and hold the Bluetooth button for 10 seconds to deactivate the Bluetooth connection.
JBL boombox 2
JBL boombox 2 houses control for power, Bluetooth pairing, a play/pause button(can also skip a track forward with two presses but cannot skip back with three) and a plus/minus volume control button just below the handle.
Compatibility
Bose portable smart speaker
The Bose portable smart speaker is compatible with other Bose smart speakers and has a sound bar for a quality listening experience. It supports Airplay and synchronises a member of a Bose family with a Bose Bluetooth or sound touch speaker for maximum music playback.
JBL boombox 2
The JBL boombox 2 is compatible with a JBL party boost function that allows pairing to other JBL party boost compatible speakers, which includes JBL Flip 5, pulse 4, extreme 3 or any other speaker that have the party boost functions.
Price
Bose portable smart speaker
The Bose portable smart speaker costs $399.99.
JBL boombox 2
The JBL boombox speaker 2 costs $499.95.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Bose portable smart speaker
- Alexa and Google Assistant support
- Lightweight
- 360 degree sound
- Features a Bose music App
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
- 12 hours battery life
- IPX4 rating for water resistance
- Powerful sound
- It is easy to set up
JBL Boombox 2
- Ability to charge mobile devices
- It is fully waterproof
- Well-balanced sound profile
- Powerful bass with booming bass and smooth highs
- Presence of graphic EQ
Cons
Bose portable smart speaker
- Limited streaming service selection
- Pricey
- Average battery life
- Lacks deep bass at high volume
- Full access to smart features is region dependent
JBL Boombox 2
- Pricey
- Heavy and bulky
- It lacks a bit of low bass
Verdict
Both speakers are great for indoor and outdoor entertainment. The built-in Alexa and Google Assistant voice control of the Bose portable smart speaker makes it suitable for homes as it allows you to play music anytime you want with a simple voice command. This speaker is easy to use and set up, lightweight and has the ability to circulate music in all directions because of its 360-degree sound.
JBL boombox 2 speakers, on the other hand, are suitable for beaches, pools, and parties because it comes packed with cool features like sound quality, battery life, an inbuilt power bank that charges mobile devices, waterproof rating, and party boost function, which gives it great value for its price.
Conclusion
Overall, the Bose portable smart speaker and JBL boombox 2 speaker are great speakers, given their respective features and capabilities. They both have excellent audio output and distinct features that will help you decide which is best for you.
Product Image Gallery – Why is the Bose Portable Smart Speaker better than the JBL Boombox 2?
