Unless you have been sleeping under a rock, you have heard of the JBL boombox. But are they worth it? At the expensive price, it is important to read and understand the benefits of the different options. Boomboxes have been around for quite some time, have they improved enough to justify the price? Here is an inside look at boomboxes.
What Is A Boombox?
A boombox is a portable speaker stereo system. It generally has two speakers and is capable of playing the radio, cassette tapes, CDs, and possibly even has a place for a USB. Boomboxes are powered via batteries or an electrical outlet. They can also be used to record music and many even had input and output jacks. Special models were used to add microphones or turntables and provide even more entertainment.
History of the Boombox
The Phillips company released the first boombox called a “Radio recorder” in 1966. It didn’t become popular in the United States until the 1980s. Boomboxes became part of Urban society and became referred to as a “ghetto-blaster”. They were seen as a style statement and a great accessory. With boomboxes, the bigger the better, and the more sound you could produce.
Artists such as the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J helped to increase the popularity of boomboxes. They were the hit sensation of popular culture in the 80s and 90s. Driving through any Urban area, you could see people walking with a large blasting boombox perched on their shoulders. The status symbol attracted a lot of attention.
Boomboxes were used for music battles and dance-offs. They brought a sense of community to many people. If you got a new cassette tape, you could easily take your music on the go and share the experience with friends. Many hours were spent in the 80s and 90s just listening to new music and enjoying the company of others.
But, with the invention of the Walkman, the popularity of boomboxes began to decrease. People liked the idea of a more private music listening session. Walkman eventually turned into technology to include mp3 players such as iPods and eventually iPhones.
Luckily, boomboxes didn’t disappear completely. Boomboxes now are equipped with Bluetooth. Portable Bluetooth speakers are the “new” version of the boombox. Portable Bluetooth speakers such as the JBL Boombox have wireless capabilities and provide solid bass, sound quality, and an impressive max volume. JBL is considered a top-of-the-line brand when it comes to portable Bluetooth speakers.
JBL: The Brand
Ever hear of a fun little event called Woodstock? The Woodstock Music festival began in 1969 on a dairy farm in New York. The festival was said to host more than 500,000 guests when creators expected only 50,000. JBL was responsible for the amazing and powerful sound contribution at the festival. With an extraordinary start, it is no wonder the company has been a part of music and sound production for over 70 years.
In 1970 JBL continued its music concert success. They provided 586 speakers to power live performances for the Grateful Dead. In 2002, the company received awards for science and tech innovation from the Motion Picture Academy. Then, in 2017 they hosted their own live music experience in Las Vegas, Nevada. JBL came into the industry with a bang and never stopped. In 2021, JBL increased sales by 7.4% with over 29 million dollars in sales. JBL is worth 8.78 billion dollars.
Today, JBL has a wide variety of great product options. The JBL Boombox is one top choice of all waterproof portable speakers. They also offer speakers for your home, car, and headphones or earbuds for your on-the-go needs.
JBL is a highly successful and well-reviewed company by many customers. Their products are top of the line and compete with companies such as Beats and Bose. While investing in a JBL product can be expensive, it can be a purchase well worth your money.
by JBL
JBL Boombox Review
When you are considering a large purchase, it is always important to read and understand the specifics of each product. You want to make your money work for you in the best ways possible. Certain features of a portable Bluetooth speaker will be very important to you, while others maybe not so much. This JBL Boombox review will give you all of the important information you need to make the best decision to meet your needs.
JBL Boombox 2
The JBL Boombox 2 is the most powerful and portable speaker option. It pumps out a loud, powerful, and deep bass sound. With the JBL Boombox 2, it can feel like you are having a personal concert in your room or outdoor space. This boombox is equipped with an iconic grip handle that makes it easy to carry. It features 24 hours of playtime per charge. This is a great feature for those who like to start the party early and keep it going throughout the night. The JBL Boombox 2 is created to wirelessly stream from any Bluetooth device. From your phone to your tablet, this speaker will effortlessly connect and play your favorite tunes. Need to know the best feature of the product? It is IPX7 waterproof. No need to worry about a little rain or wetness. This Bluetooth portable speaker has it all – even the ability to connect to other JBL party-boost, compatible speakers. If you want a cohesive jam sesh throughout your house, the JBL Boombox 2 is the perfect choice for you. This option comes very highly rated at 4.8 out of 5-stars by over 2,000 reviews. The JBL Boombox 2 is offered at $499. While the cost can seem like a lot, this product option is built to last. Investing in a quality Bluetooth portable speaker is a great choice for those who like great music, sound quality, and like to bring the music. This JBL Bluetooth speaker is an awesome pick.
JBL Boombox Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker
The JBL Boombox Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker can also be found in a pre-owned and refurbished option. Refurbished products have been restored to like-new condition. This is a great option if you are looking to save a little bit of money. It also helps to avoid any supply chain holdbacks of hot items. Shopping refurbished is also an environmentally-friendly choice. For this JBL Boombox option, the speaker has been rated in “excellent condition”. This means there are no signs of cosmetic visible damage and still maintains over 80% of the battery usage. It also offers a 90-day replacement or refund if it doesn’t work properly. This JBL portable Bluetooth speaker provides the same classic “monstrous base and hard-hitting sound”. Where does this power come from? 20, 000 mAH battery, four active transducers, and two JBL bass radiators. It will fully charge in 6.5 hours for up to 24 hours of playing life. But, if you need more charge, you can plug the boombox in and keep the music playing. This option is also waterproof and allows you to connect up to two phones or Bluetooth options. This feature allows you and a friend to play DJ and battle for the best music. The JBL boombox has both an indoor and outdoor option for the perfect sound regardless of the location. This option is $358 and is rated 4.7 out of 5-stars. A refurbished JBL Boombox is a solid choice for your next portable Bluetooth waterproof speaker.
JBL Boombox 2 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Squad Camo
You can also find the JBL Boombox 2 Squad Camo in a refurbished option. This choice is a fun pick for your boy’s weekend or cabin trip. The Squad camo color gives a little bit of style and personality to your speaker. You won’t mix up your speaker with the bland mass of boring black options your friends have. The JBL Squad Camo Boombox 2 makes a great statement while still giving the best sound and bass on the sound market. It is also a perfect choice as a gift for your favorite Veteran or active military member. This refurbished option is also rated “excellent condition” to ensure you are still getting a quality product. The Bluetooth capabilities make it easy to connect your device and play music quickly. No matter your favorite genre, you can get impeccable and loud sound. Imagine laying poolside with a cool beverage and your favorite tunes. With the waterproof feature, there is no need to worry about the splash zone during your epic cannonball. This refurbished JBL Boombox 2 in Squad Camo is offered at $499 but is currently on sale for $469. It is a highly rated choice at 4.8 out of 5 stars.
JBL Boombox 2 IPX7 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker Bundle
Looking for an even better option? This JBL Boombox 2 comes with additional accessories. This selection includes the JBL Boombox 2, gSport Carbon Fiber case, and accessory pouch. The JBL bundle is the perfect choice for your on-the-go needs. Ready to take your JBL Boombox 2 bundle, is a great pick for road trips, beach days, or Men’s league softball games. This boombox provides the same great sound, base, and waterproof capabilities. The gSport Carbon Fiber case is hard-shell to further protect your investment. At the $499 price point, you will want to make sure your portable Bluetooth speaker is well protected and equipped to handle any type of travel. The accessory pouch has a zipper and is a great place to store the charger and any other needed accessories. No matter your destination, the speaker bundle is an awesome choice to meet your needs. The indoor and outdoor capabilities are top of the line and let you take full control of the vibes. This option is rated 4.7 out of 5-stars. The JBL Boombox speaker bundle is an awesome choice for a portable waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
Is It Worth It?
The JBL products are top of the line when it comes to Bluetooth portable speakers. The sound quality is unmatched by other products at a similar price point. The durability, portability, 24-hour battery life, and overall convenience. The JBL party boost feature is another great feature to add to the list. The Bluetooth connectivity gives you the ability to sync up your speaker with other JBL speakers. The amount of superior sound quality, capacity, and bass from one speaker is amazing. To multiply that with other JBL party boost compatible speakers is awesome. No outdoor venue, house party, or beach set-up is too big for the power of the JBL party boost feature.
The big question is, “Is it worth it?” That all depends on your budget, needs, and mindset. If you can afford the $500 price tag, the product lives up to the cost. With a very high rating, reviewers agree. The original JBL Boombox and JBL Boombox 2 are well worth the price. Ever hear sayings like, “You get what you pay for?” The mindset is the same is true for waterproof Bluetooth speakers. You can buy a cheap option. But, it will not have the same features, durability, or sound quality as the JBL option. Oftentimes, you will spend more money overall on several cheap options than investing in one quality speaker. Another factor to consider is e-waste. In 2019, there were 53.7 million metric tons of e-waste alone. This number is expected to continue to rise. In 2030, there are expected to be 67 million tons. You can help reduce this significant number. Choosing to invest in better quality products that will last is a better choice for the environment.
Your needs are another important factor to consider. If you enjoy music, solid bass, and superior sound quality the JBL may be worth it for you. In addition, if you enjoy hosting parties, pool parties, or being the DJ everywhere you go – it can be important to have a quality product. There is nothing worse than walking up to an outdoor pool party and having your speaker die. But, with the 24-hour charge capacity of the JBL boombox, chances are low the power charge would be an issue.
Overall the JBL Boombox Bluetooth speaker is an excellent choice for your waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker. It is the ultimate party speaker and is the perfect foundation for a good time. The great features of the speaker are the reason behind the cost. If you are looking for amazing sound quality, great bass, durability, and portability this option is a great one. JBL also offers some other fantastic products.
Other JBL Products
As one of the top sound quality companies on the market, JBL also offers a few other great options to meet your needs. Here are two additional products to consider.
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JBL Live 600 NC Headphones
While the JBL Boombox is an excellent choice, you may also have some more private music needs. The JBL Live noise-canceling headphones provide the same superior sound quality on a more personal level. They also feature an adaptive noise-canceling option. The “Ambient Aware” technology helps you to walk safely down busy streets. They also lower outside sound and amplify speech when you need to chat with someone. These headphones also connect to Google or Amazon Alexa with just your voice. This is a great option for checking your battery, lowering the volume, or turning off your headphones. They hold up to 50 hours of charge for the ultimate convenience. These headphones are $199 and come in white, black, or navy.
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JBL Vibe 200 TWS
JBL also offers a great pair of earbuds. The JBL Vibe ear pods also provide a professional level of excellent sound. They are ergonomically shaped to comfortably fit in your ear. They also have 3 different tips to fit any ear size. The JBL vibe is a lightweight and discreet choice to meet a variety of needs. If you need to take a call or just want to listen to your jams, these earbuds are a great choice. The earbuds will play for five hours and the case holds 15 hours per charge. They connect via Bluetooth and you can use either ear option or both together. This choice is also one of the more budget-friendly options from JBL. The JBL Vibe earbuds are $50 and come in black, white, grey, and blue.
JBL is a company well high-quality products you can trust. Their extremely high ratings and reviews should give you peace of mind when making a purchase. JBL is known for superior sound quality, thumping bass, and durability. Products such as the JBL Boombox are an excellent and powerful speaker option to meet all of your music needs.