The JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi is a portable Bluetooth Speaker that represents the latest addition to the Boombox product line, offering enhanced features and capabilities for those who seek a versatile and powerful portable speaker. This review delves into the details of this speaker, its design, functionality, and sound performance, helping potential buyers understand what it brings to the table.
JBL Boombox 3 WiFi at a glance
| Designation | JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi |
| Price | 599 EUR (RRP) |
| guarantee | 2 years |
| Manufacturer homepage | https://de.jbl.com/ |
| Dimensions | 482x256x199mm _ |
| Weight | 6.8 kg |
| design | ▪ Speaker driver: 189 x 114 mm ▪ Subwoofer: 2x 80.9 x 80.9 mm ▪ Midrange: 2x 20 mm tweeter |
| Frequency band | 40Hz to 20,000kHz |
| connections | ▪ AC-In ▪ 1x USB-C (2A charging current) |
| Overall performance | ▪ Output power: 1x 80 W RMS ▪ for the subwoofer + 2x 40 W RMS for the ▪ midrange driver + 2x 20 W RMS for the ▪ tweeter (mains operation) 1x 60 W ▪ RMS for the subwoofer + 2x 30 W RMS ▪ for the midrange driver + 2x 10 W RMS for |
| Other features | Bluetooth 5.3 IP67 (up to 30 minutes at 1m) Integrated WiFi with AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, Chromecast Builtin and Spotify Connect |
Key Features:
- Bass-Heavy Sound: The JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi is renowned for its robust bass presence, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts of genres like hip-hop and electronic music. The low frequencies are pronounced and impactful, delivering a satisfying listening experience.
- Rugged Build: With an IPX67 rating, this speaker is designed to withstand the elements. It can survive being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter, making it perfect for poolside parties or outdoor adventures.
- Power Bank Function: One unique feature is its power bank function, allowing you to charge your smart devices via USB-C. It packs a sizable 9,600mAh battery, providing ample power for your gadgets.
- Connectivity Options: The Boombox 3 Wi-Fi offers multiple connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, Chromecast built-in, and Spotify Connect. This means you can easily integrate it into existing multi-room setups and enjoy a more stationary listening experience.
- Bluetooth 5.3: The updated Bluetooth interface offers advantages like increased bandwidth and greater range, allowing you to control music playback directly from the speaker and enjoy reliable connections up to 100 meters away.
Design and Build:
The design remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, featuring a large, sturdy handle that is both a stylistic statement and a practical necessity for carrying its nearly 7-kilogram weight. The closed fabric structure not only adds to its aesthetics but also helps with grip. The two 3-inch woofers on the sides are sealed to maintain its IP67 rating. Additionally, there are two 20mm tweeters for higher frequencies, complemented by a passive driver hidden behind the fabric structure.
Design: The design of the Boombox 3 Wi-Fi follows the established aesthetics of the Boombox series. It retains a bold and robust look, characterized by its large, integrated handle. This handle serves both functional and stylistic purposes. On one hand, it provides a secure and comfortable grip for carrying the speaker, which is essential considering its substantial weight of nearly 7 kilograms. On the other hand, the handle adds a distinctive visual element to the speaker, making it instantly recognizable as part of the JBL Boombox family.
The design language is well-suited to the speaker’s intended use as a portable party companion. Its appearance conveys a sense of durability and readiness for outdoor adventures. The speaker’s size is substantial but still manageable for transport, striking a balance between portability and delivering powerful sound.
One notable design feature is the use of a closed fabric structure that covers the speaker’s body. This fabric not only adds to the speaker’s visual appeal but also serves practical purposes. It enhances grip, making it easier to handle, especially in outdoor settings. Moreover, the fabric is of high quality, aligning with JBL’s reputation for durable and well-crafted products.
Build Quality: The build quality of the Boombox 3 Wi-Fi is a standout feature. It’s constructed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use and adverse weather conditions. With an IPX67 rating, the speaker is designed to be waterproof and dustproof. This means it can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter, making it resilient against rain, spills, or accidental submersion in water. This level of protection ensures peace of mind when using the speaker in outdoor environments or around water.
To maintain its IP67 rating, the speaker has two 3-inch woofers on the sides that are entirely sealed in the area of the speaker’s beads. This meticulous engineering prevents water and dust from entering the speaker’s sensitive components, safeguarding its performance.
The materials used in the construction of the speaker contribute to its ruggedness and durability. The inclusion of a rubberized base on the underside serves multiple purposes. It helps decouple the speaker from the surface it’s placed on, reducing vibrations that could affect sound quality. Additionally, it enhances stability, ensuring the speaker remains steady even at high volumes with powerful bass.
The connection panel on the back of the speaker is also designed with durability in mind. It’s entirely sealed to prevent moisture from penetrating the speaker. While the jack plug for audio input has been omitted, this decision aligns with the speaker’s primary use as a wireless device. The focus on wireless connectivity is evident throughout its design and build.
In summary, the JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi boasts a design that balances functionality and aesthetics, with a sturdy and waterproof build that makes it a reliable companion for both indoor and outdoor use. Its rugged construction, reinforced with practical design elements, ensures it can withstand the demands of portable audio in various settings.
Performance:
The Boombox 3 Wi-Fi impresses with its performance. It excels in delivering booming bass for bass-heavy tracks, creating an immersive listening experience. The speaker handles rock and other genres with ease, ensuring that vocals remain clear and distinct from the powerful bass. Thanks to the three-band equalizer, you can fine-tune the sound to your preferences.
The JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi is known for its impressive performance, delivering powerful sound that caters to various listening preferences. During our extensive sound tests, several factors came into play to evaluate its performance comprehensively.
1. Bass Presence: The standout feature of the Boombox 3 is its commanding bass presence. This speaker is designed to excel in delivering deep and impactful bass, making it an ideal choice for genres like hip-hop and electronic music. The bass is notably present, and it can truly bring out the energy in tracks with prominent low-frequency elements. For instance, songs with heavy basslines, like Sido’s “2002” featuring Apache 207, sound exceptionally immersive, and the bass notes are pronounced and punchy.
2. Versatile Sound: While the Boombox 3 excels in bass-heavy genres, it also offers versatility in sound reproduction. The three-band equalizer allows users to fine-tune the audio to their preferences. This flexibility means you can adjust the highs, mids, and lows to suit different music genres or personal tastes. The speaker can reproduce various musical styles with precision, maintaining clarity across different frequencies.
3. Clarity and Detail: One of the notable aspects of the Boombox 3’s sound quality is its clarity and detail. Even in the midst of powerful bass, vocals remain crisp and well-defined. This is evident when listening to tracks like Dua Lipa’s “Thinking Bout You,” where vocals come through with precision, enhancing the listening experience. The speaker strikes a balance between delivering rich bass and preserving the clarity of vocals and other instruments.
4. Rock and Faster Tracks: The speaker’s performance extends beyond bass-heavy genres. It handles rock tracks with ease, providing a punchy and dynamic sound. Faster rock songs, which can sometimes present challenges in reproducing the drum set without overwhelming bass frequencies, are well-managed by the Boombox 3. For example, Metallica’s “Now That We’re Dead” benefits from the speaker’s ability to maintain vocal clarity while delivering powerful guitar and drum sections.
5. Outdoor Use and Range: The Boombox 3 is well-suited for outdoor use, which aligns with its portability and rugged build. It can produce sound that carries well in open spaces. The transmission and reception performance of up to 100 meters (thanks to Bluetooth 5.3) ensures that sound remains consistent even when you’re at a distance from the speaker. This range is particularly advantageous for outdoor gatherings and events.
In conclusion, the JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi offers a dynamic and versatile sound performance that caters to a wide range of musical preferences. Its ability to deliver powerful bass, maintain vocal clarity, and handle various genres makes it a strong contender in the portable speaker market. Whether you’re enjoying bass-heavy tracks or rock classics, this speaker offers a satisfying listening experience, both indoors and outdoors.
JBL One App:
The JBL One app offers additional functionality, such as integrating streaming services, creating stereo systems from two identical speakers, and setting up multi-room configurations. It’s user-friendly and enhances the overall experience, especially when using the speaker as a stationary device.
Conclusion:
The JBL Boombox 3 Wi-Fi strikes a balance between portability and stationary use. It offers an array of connectivity options, water resistance, and impressive sound quality, making it a versatile choice. While the price point may be on the higher side, it delivers excellent value for those who seek a powerful and flexible speaker. Whether you’re hosting an outdoor event or enjoying music at home, the Boombox 3 Wi-Fi can cater to your needs. Highly recommended for those looking for a premium portable speaker with a range of features and exceptional performance.
Pros
- high-quality workmanship and feel
- clear, distinct & large voice representation
- Haptic feedback from the buttons
- Punchy bass foundation, well-tuned
- Stereo function for two identical speakers
- IP67 certified (waterproof)
- Wi-Fi function offers significant added value
- Can be used as a stationary multiroom speaker
Cons
- PartyBoost is not available (Wi-Fi models only)
